Sugar Bean Bakers

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

{ Strawberry Pie }

The husband loves strawberry pie.

Like, super duper loves.

Specifically, his Grammy's strawberry pie.

I love his Grammy's strawberry pie too, ya know why?

Because it's quick. It's easy. It's inexpensive.

What could be better?

Here's whatcha need:

Grammy's Strawberry Pie

1 Baked Pie Shell (store bought, or this is a great recipe)

1 Container of Strawberries, washed and fully dry *

1 Cup of Sugar

1 Cup of Water

3 Tablespoons Corn Starch

3 Tablespoons Strawberry Jello (powder)**

*you can use more berries, if you like. For this pie, I used 2 containers.

**store the rest in a ziploc baggie for making this again!

On the stovetop, add all ingredients into a heavy saucepan. Stir together. Heat over medium heat.

It will be kind of a milky red

Allow to boil and thicken, stirring constantly. As it begins to thicken, it will turn a clear, bright red.

When thickened, remove from heat.

Thicken. There, I felt the need to say it four times in a row.

I feel better now.

Allow to cool for about 5-10 minutes.

While cooling, assemble your berries in your baked crust.
You may choose to cut them, or use them whole.

I like using whole berries.

Pour the gel over your berries.

(You can see the consistency of the gel in this photo)

Then, put into refrigerator until set. This will take several hours.

This is the hardest part of the whole recipe.

The waiting.

Oh my gersh, it's so dang prettttttttttttty!

And tasty too!

When set, cut, add whipped topping and... devour!

This is SO much better than the red, gooshy bagged stuff you find in the store.

If given the chance, my hubster would eat a whole recipe of this.

WITHOUT berries.

This is the same gel I used here, in Aunt Rosie's Strawberry Delight.

You should totally make that too.

Man, I LOVE strawberry season!

Tina

I’m partying at the Pi Day Pie Party at Crazy for Crust today. Come party with us!

shared at:
Michelle's Tasty Creations
Something Swanky

Thursday, May 3, 2012

{ Mozzy Cheese Sticks }

As I hinted at in this post, the Bean is a cheese stick fiend.

He squishy heart loves the fried gooey goodness that is THE CHEESE STICK.

Last week, after his orthodontist appointment, we stopped for lunch at a chain restaurant. He spied cheese sticks on the menu and wanted them UNTIL he noticed the price. $7.95.

He thought that was far too high, and people, he's 15, and spending his parent's money.

Maybe there's hope for this one's spending habits after all, eh?

I told him we'd pop over to the grocery and grab up the ingredients and make them ourselves, and so we did.

Here's what you need:

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Mozzarella String Cheese (or block, cut into fat strips)

Italian Bread Crumbs

Flour

Eggs

Spices
(garlic, Lawry's Season Salt, dried parsley, other spices if you wish)

Oil for frying

We only did 4 cheese sticks, so we used:

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1 egg (well beaten)

1 teaspoon parsley

1/2 teaspoon garlic

1/2 teaspoon Lawry's
(use seasonings to your personal liking)

First, season your crumbs & mix well

Then cut your cheese (refraining from immature joke here)

Then we do a basic coating, what I do when I fry anything, eggs and flour.
In this case, we do it a wee differently. First flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs.

Confused? Just watch as the Bean demonstrates.

Roll in flour to coat all sides (including ends!)

Dip in egg

Then roll in breadcrumbs (I just realized I don't have a photo of this step. omgosh, I'm a failure ;)

Then repeat the egg & breadcrumb process.

WARNING: your fingers will get gloppily coated in this stuff. Kinda weird. Kinda gross.)

As you finish, place them on a cookie sheet. When you are done coating, put them into the freezer for about 30 minutes.

This step keeps the cheese from exploding out when we fry.

After the 30 mins, heat your oil to about 350. This will cook them a BIT more slowly, but it will still only take 2 minutes MAX to finish.

Place them into the oil 2-3 at a time. Cook until golden on one side, then CAREFULLY flip them and cook the other side til golden.

WATCH CLOSELY!
they will burn quickly.