No Fail Pie Crust

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 t. sugar
1 cup Crisco shortening
4 - 6 T. ice water

DIRECTIONS:

Sift dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Cut in shortening with dull edge of two knives.
Add water by tablespoons until it sticks together.

Roll out dough on floured surface. Place in pie plate and fill to bake, or prick with a fork and bake at 400 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes until crust is lightly browned.

Makes two 9" pie crusts - use for double pie or two single crust pies.

Photo credit: www.salvationsisters.com

Posted by Debi

Classic Cornbread

INGREDIENTS:

4 Tbsp. butter, melted and divided
3 Tbsp. warm bacon drippings, divided
2 slices of bacon browned and crumbled
1 1/2 c. stone-ground yellow cornmeal
1/2 c. unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp. table salt
1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/4 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. milk

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 450. Place 1 Tbsp. melted butter and 1 Tbsp. bacon drippings in a 10-inch cast iron skillet; heat in oven 5 minutes

Meanwhile,mix together cornmeal and next 5 ingredients in a bowl. Whisk together egg and both milks; whisk into cornmeal mixture just until combined. Whisk in remaining 3 Tbsp. butter and 2 Tbsp. bacon drippings and bacon.

Pour into hot skillet.

Bake at 450 for 20 minutes or until golden brown and firm. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan, and serve.

Fried Collards with Apples and Bacon

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs. Collard Greens, washed and cut in 1/4" thick slices, tough center stalk removed
1/4 c. hot vegetable oil
1/2 c. chicken stock
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. dried crushed red pepper flakes
2 small Fuji apples, cored and sliced thin like matchsticks
4 slices bacon, cooked but not crisp and cut into fourths

DIRECTIONS:

Stir-fry collards in oil in large dutch oven over medium-high heat stirring often until wilted.
Add chicken broth, salt, apple cider vinegar and pepper flakes.
Stir-fry 3 minutes or until greens are crisp tender.
Gently stir in bacon and apples and cook stirring often until tender, about 2 minutes.

Basic recipe from Southern Living, with tweaks by me. :-)

Posted by Debi