Not An Ordinary Lemon Meringue Pie

This recipe comes courtesy of Emeril Lagasse (really loving his stuff): http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/lemon-meringue-pie-recipe/index.html. This pie is sweet, creamy and fluffy--amazing. My husband reluctantly agreed to try it then had two pieces. It's not too difficult to make and will surely impress!

Ingredients:


1 recipe Sweet Pie Crust, recipe follows
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
5 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cold water
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 large egg yolks
2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
1 1/2 tablespoons limoncello
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions:


1. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and on a lightly floured surface, roll out to a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan, pressing gently to fit, trim the edge to within 1/2-inch of the pan, turn under, and crimp decoratively. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

3. Line the pie shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights, dry beans, or rice. Bake until the crust is set, about 12 minutes. Remove the parchment paper and weights and bake until lightly colored, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before filling. Combine the granulated sugar, cornstarch, milk, water, and pinch of the salt in a large, non-reactive saucepan, whisk to combine, and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally. As the mixture reaches a simmer and begins to thicken and turn clear, 4 to 5 minutes, whisk in the egg yolks, 2 at a time. Slowly add the lemon juice, whisking constantly, and add the zest and limoncello. Add the butter, 1 piece at a time, and whisking constantly, return to a simmer. Remove from the heat and pour immediately into the prepared pie crust.

4. Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and remaining pinch salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Beating constantly, gradually add the confectioners' sugar and beat until glossy stiff peaks form, being careful not to over beat, as this will make the meringue difficult to spread.

5. Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip. Working 1 row at a time, pipe the meringue across the top of the hot lemon filling in a zigzag pattern, alternating direction with each row. Cover the pie filling completely, going out to the pastry edges, so the meringue does not draw up or weep during baking. (Alternatively, spread the meringue evenly over the pie filling using a rubber spatula, smoothing out to the pastry edges. Make decorative peaks in the meringue using a dull knife or the back of a spoon.)

5. To quickly cook the meringue, preheat the broiler with the rack in the highest position. Place the pie under the broiler and cook until the meringue is set and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. (Alternatively, the meringue can be cooked in a preheated 325 degree F oven until set and golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes.)

6. Transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Sweet Pie Crust:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening
3 to 4 tablespoons ice water, or as needed

1. Sift the flour, sugar, and salt into a large bowl. With your fingers, work the butter and shortening into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 3 tablespoons of the ice water and work with your fingers just until the dough comes together, adding more water as needed, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make a smooth dough, being careful not to overwork the dough.

2. Form the dough into a disk shape, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using.
Yield: enough dough for 1 (9 or 10-inch) crust

Frozen Berries with a White Chocolate Sauce

Another recipe from the Barefoot Contessa: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/frozen-berries-with-hot-white-chocolate-recipe/index.html. Very easy and a wonderful gourmet dessert to serve to your guests (or eat almost all of it by yourself, like I did). You have to have a sweet tooth for this one or you won't appreciate it.

You can half this recipe if you like. Good white baking chocolate is expensive!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 pounds good white chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 pounds frozen mixed berries or frozen raspberries (I flash froze the berries: washed them and placed them on a foil-covered cookie sheet--cut the strawberries small! Once frozen, I stored them in a plastic bag)

Directions:

1. Combine the chocolate, heavy cream, and the vanilla in a heat-proof bowl and set it over a pan of simmering water until the chocolate melts.

2. About 5 minutes before serving, remove the berries from the freezer and place them on individual serving plates. Ladle the warm chocolate sauce over the berries and serve.

Chicken Picatta (or Chicken with a Lemon Sauce)

This recipe comes courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa from the Food Network. I recently purchased one of her cookbooks--I was delighted by how easy her recipes were! Simple, but gourmet enough to be very tasty. This is my favorite recipe by her so far. The sauce is heavenly. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chicken-piccata-recipe/index.html

Ingredients:

2 split (1 whole) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 extra-large egg
1/2 tablespoon water
3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs (or crushed cornflakes)
Good olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons), lemon halves reserved
1/2 cup dry white wine  (or white grape juice)
Sliced lemon, for serving
Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

2. Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

3. Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the egg and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.

4. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes while you make the sauce.

5. For the sauce, wipe out the saute pan with a dry paper towel. Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and then add the lemon juice, wine, the reserved lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl to combine. Discard the lemon halves and serve 1 chicken breast on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

Grilled Beef Braciole with Grilled Tomato-Basil Relish

This recipe comes courtesy of Bobby Flay and the Food Network: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/grilled-beef-braciole-with-grilled-tomato-basil-relish-recipe/index.html.  It was to-die for! The tomato-basil relish is the perfect topping for this cheese & herb stuffed meat.

For the grilled tomato-basil relish:

8 plum tomatoes (I would double the tomatoes)
5 tablespoons olive oil (you probably don't need quite this much)
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley leaves

For the beef:
1 (2-pound) round steak, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated pecorino Romano cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh oregano leaves
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
3 (8-inch) pieces butcher's twine, soaked in cold water (or toothpicks, soaked in water)
Fresh basil sprigs, for garnish

For the grilled tomato-basil relish:

1.  Heat the grill to medium-high.
2.  Cut the tomatoes half, then brush with 2 tablespoons of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the tomatoes on all sides until slightly charred and soft. Remove the tomatoes from the grill, chop and place in a bowl. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil, onion, vinegar, basil and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

For the beef:

1.  Heat the grill to medium.

2.  Place the steak on a flat surface. Combine the cheese, parsley, oregano and garlic in a small bowl. Brush the steak on the side facing up with 2 tablespoons of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the steak, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the sides.

3.  Starting with the long end, tightly roll the meat up like a jelly roll and tightly tie with the butcher's twine on the ends and in the center. Brush the entire outside of the steak with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill, seam-side up and grill until golden brown on all sides, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the grill and let rest 10 minutes before slicing into 1/2-inch thick slices. Serve several slices per person topped with some of the relish.

Key Lime Pie

This recipe comes from Emil Lagasse and the Food Network:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/key-lime-pie-recipe/index.html. It's perfect. I didn't change a thing. It might seem wierd to add the sour cream, but it was perfect. Once you add the powdered sugar, you couldn't taste it. Even my dad ate two pieces of this pie. Both my picky daughters loved it.


1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick butter) melted
2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
1 cup key lime or regular lime juice (fresh squeezed preferred)
2 whole eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lime zest

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter with your hands. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, and bake until brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before filling.

3. Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the condensed milk, lime juice, and eggs. Whisk until well blended and place the filling in the cooled pie shell. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes and allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

5. Once chilled, combine the sour cream and powdered sugar and spread over the top of the pie using a spatula. Sprinkle the lime zest as a garnish on top of the sour cream and serve chilled.

World's Best Lasagna

I got this recipe from www.allrecipes.com, and made some alterations. Every time I've made this, people have gone nuts for it. I'm warning you that it takes a few hours to make (1.5 hrs to simmer the sauce), but it's totally worth it if you want to impress your guests! Even the pickiest eaters have more than one helping.

Ingredients

3/4 pound sweet Italian sausage
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles
16 ounces ricotta cheese (I would actually use a little less--more like 12 oz)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced (or grated--I prefer to freshly grate the cheese before I add it to a recipe)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a Dutch oven (or skillet), cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

4. To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.

5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Tropical Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

This cake tastes better after it has been refrigerated overnight. I love the tropical spin on the traditional carrot cake. I got this recipe from epicurious.com, and made some alterations.

Cake:
2 1/3 cups sifted all purpose flour (sifted, then measured)
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup dry-roasted macadamia nuts
3/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger (see note below on how to make this)
3 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups finely grated peeled carrots
2 8-ounce cans crushed pineapple in its own juice, well drained

Frosting:
2 8-ounce packages Philadelphia-brand cream cheese, room temperature
2/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
2/3 cup canned sweetened cream of coconut (such as Coco López, found in the liquor section of store)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (scant) coconut extract
14 whole dry-roasted macadamia nuts (optional)
2 cups coconut
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

For cake:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper. Combine 1/3 cup flour and next 3 ingredients in processor. Process until nuts are finely chopped. Whisk remaining 2 cups flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in medium bowl to blend.
Using electric mixer, beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Beat in flour-spice mixture. Stir in coconut-macadamia mixture, then carrots and crushed pineapple. (Note: if you don't like the texture of pineapple, like me, then add it to the coconut-madamia mixture before blending)

Divide batter among pans. Bake until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 1 hour. Run knife around edge of pans to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out onto racks; cool completely.

For frosting:

Toast coconut in melted butter for a few minutes until crispy.

Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar, then cream of coconut and both extracts. Chill until firm enough to spread, about 30 minutes. (don't chill too long!)

Place 1 cake layer, flat side up, on platter. Spread 3/4 cup frosting over top of cake. Top with second cake layer, flat side up. Spread 3/4 cup frosting over. Top with third cake layer, rounded side up, pressing slightly to adhere. Spread thin layer of frosting over top and sides of cake. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Arrange coconut and then whole nuts on top of cake. Chill 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.)

Note:  To make crystallized ginger, thinly slice 1 cup fresh ginger. Boil in 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar for 5 minutes. Then bake in 200 degree oven until rubbery but not dry. Then sprinkle with sugar.