To bake or to buy a chocolate pecan pie, that is the question…
Okay, so the dilemma isn’t as grand as the problems Hamlet was dealing with, but when you are weighing the issues of time, taste, convenience, and cost… it does warrant some thought… And in today’s busy world of work, deadlines, children, meetings, soccer practice – whatever you have that consumes most of your time… it actually makes sense to purchase a ready made chocolate pecan pie to save a few steps in your busy day and in most cases you can pick it up on the way to wherever you are taking it…
Reason #1 to Buy Your Chocolate Pecan Pie: Convenience
Cooking a chocolate pecan pie can be time-consuming, challenging, and a bit messy. If you’ve ever made your own pecan pie, you already know what that involves and it doesn’t get any easier when you throw in some chocolate. It makes it absolutely delicious, but not any tidier.
One of the biggest problems is the incredible stickiness of the corn syrup. Because of its high sweetness, if you get that syrup on anything it’s very hard to get rid of the sticky residue. Plus, most dishwashers seem to require multiple loads before they can get the remnants of the pie off your dishware. Or you can place the dish in a sink full of hot water and let it soak – but again that is cutting into your time and energy because you have to wait for the hot water to un-stick the corn syrup.
When you buy a chocolate pecan pie that’s already been made, you don’t have to worry about any of the mess clean up. You can just enjoy and eat and then throw the empty container away. You may have a few sticky forks and pie server, but that isn’t hardly any problem at all.
Reason #2 to Buy Your Chocolate Pecan Pie: Cost
This one can be tricky. You may think it’s cheaper to buy and make the pie at home, but with today’s rising food costs and the various ingredients needed to make a chocolate pecan pie and not to mention your time saved – you may actually come out ahead purchasing a ready made pie. And stopping off at the store on your way home from work to just pick up what’s needed for the pie rarely works because more then likely you will find something else to throw in the shopping cart and your 15 to 20 dollar chocolate pecan pie has now grown to a 100 dollar pie, with a few extras thrown in.
Reason #3 to Buy Your Chocolate Pecan Pie: Taste
Pecan pies can be one of the trickier pies to cook. With a chocolate pecan pie, you’ve got the extra pressure of perfectly melting your chocolate and that’s not something all cooks have mastered. It has to be timed perfectly and if you’ve ever had an over or under cooked pecan pie you know exactly what I’m talking about. Over cook your chocolate pecan pie and it goes from being simply delicious to simply yuck! Undercook it and the corn syrup has reached the proper consistency and it’s soupy instead of gel like… When you buy your ready made chocolate pecan pie from a professional – you know you are getting a perfectly baked pie.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Peanut Butter Fudge Time
It’s nearly autumn, time for colored leaves, crisp cool mornings, fair rides, football games, and candy time. Not really sure if it’s the drop in temperature and less humidity in the air or if it is because it is right around the corner from the holidays, but autumn seems to kick off the homemade candy season. One of my autumn candy favorites is peanut butter fudge – and compared to regular fudge – it is so easy to make. There are many variations including recipes that call for milk, cream, white chocolate, brown sugar, white sugar, nuts, no nuts, microwave, stove top… the list just goes on and on. And it is not uncommon for you to try several different peanut butter fudge recipes before you find one that suits you. I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to fudge candies and prefer cooking on top of the stove. A quick, easy, and delicious recipe I have tried is:
World’s Best Peanut Butter Fudge
4 cups white sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow crème
12 ounces peanut butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish, set aside. In a saucepan, combine sugar, milk, and butter. Bring to a boil, and cook 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the marshmallow cream and peanut butter. Gradually stir in the flour. Spread into the prepared pan, and let cool.
Most important to remember with fudge – any flavor – is to follow the directions exactly and peanut butter fudge is no exception. Candy making is the most precise of the pastry arts. Make sure you are prepared and have everything you need handy and near by. Because once you start making peanut butter fudge – or any fudge – you do not want to risk ruining the candy by stepping away from it. Also, make sure you have the correct equipment and it is in good working order. And remember to use a heavy high sided sauce pan and a wooden spoon. Using a high sided sauce pan that is double the volume of the candy you are making will let you stir it properly without the worry of it going over the side and using a wooden spoon allows for easier and smoother stirring.
Peanut Butter Cream Fudge
2 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup peanut butter*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, sour cream and salt; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Uncover and cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 238 degrees F (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in peanut butter and vanilla. With a wooden spoon, beat until thick and creamy, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a buttered 8-in. square dish. Cool and cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator.
And if you are making peanut butter fudge for someone as a gift, you can jazz it up a little. One of the things I have done before is to “top” the peanut butter fudge off with various candies. During fall of the year, take reece’s pieces and gently press them just into the peanut butter fudge mixture before you set aside to cool. The reece’s pieces add more peanut flavor and a splash of fall colors. Or if you are giving during Christmas time, use holiday M&Ms or even sprinkle a bit of colored candy sugar over the top. Use your imagination.
World’s Best Peanut Butter Fudge
4 cups white sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow crème
12 ounces peanut butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish, set aside. In a saucepan, combine sugar, milk, and butter. Bring to a boil, and cook 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the marshmallow cream and peanut butter. Gradually stir in the flour. Spread into the prepared pan, and let cool.
Most important to remember with fudge – any flavor – is to follow the directions exactly and peanut butter fudge is no exception. Candy making is the most precise of the pastry arts. Make sure you are prepared and have everything you need handy and near by. Because once you start making peanut butter fudge – or any fudge – you do not want to risk ruining the candy by stepping away from it. Also, make sure you have the correct equipment and it is in good working order. And remember to use a heavy high sided sauce pan and a wooden spoon. Using a high sided sauce pan that is double the volume of the candy you are making will let you stir it properly without the worry of it going over the side and using a wooden spoon allows for easier and smoother stirring.
Peanut Butter Cream Fudge
2 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup peanut butter*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, sour cream and salt; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Uncover and cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 238 degrees F (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in peanut butter and vanilla. With a wooden spoon, beat until thick and creamy, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a buttered 8-in. square dish. Cool and cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator.
And if you are making peanut butter fudge for someone as a gift, you can jazz it up a little. One of the things I have done before is to “top” the peanut butter fudge off with various candies. During fall of the year, take reece’s pieces and gently press them just into the peanut butter fudge mixture before you set aside to cool. The reece’s pieces add more peanut flavor and a splash of fall colors. Or if you are giving during Christmas time, use holiday M&Ms or even sprinkle a bit of colored candy sugar over the top. Use your imagination.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
holiday gift baskets: not just for holidays.
Holiday gift baskets are such a great and easy way for gift giving. You can specialize and generalize at the same time, and holiday gift baskets are also a great gift for someone you don’t really know or who already has “everything”. You can pull together a sampling of a person’s favorite things or things you know they would like to try. Holiday gift baskets are favorites for companies to send out to their clients. They are the perfect way to say “thank you” and “you are welcome”. You can go big or small, low key or grand, gourmet or casual. Really, the sky is the limit for holiday gift baskets. My candy and gift shops already have gift baskets ready made or can make something custom for you on short notice. And with a little time and creativity, you can make your own gift basket:
Things You’ll Need:
· Gift Ribbons
· Ribbons
· Tissue Paper
· Cookbooks
· Gift Cards
· Baskets
· Cellophane Gift Wrap
· Gift Bags
· Gift Bows
· Wrapping Paper
· Acid-free Tissue Paper
Reflect upon the personal style and interests of your host.
Decide upon a theme. If the host is a gourmet cook, create a cooking theme. For a stressed-out host, consider a relaxation theme.
Purchase several small gifts that fit your theme. Small soaps, lotions, candles and bath salts fit a relaxation basket, while miniature olive oils, herbs, spices and condiments fit a gourmet cooking basket.
Purchase a sturdy basket with plenty of room to fit all of your little treasures.
Fill the gift basket with cellophane Easter grass, shredded colored paper stuffing or crumpled tissue paper.
Organize the gifts on top of the basket stuffing in an aesthetically pleasing and balanced arrangement.
Wrap the gift basket in colored cellophane wrap or gift wrap. Use an extra-large piece, and wrap it up from the bottom of the basket, tying it with a brightly colored ribbon at the top.
Present the gift basket to your host immediately upon arriving at the party, while extending your gratitude for the invitation.
Holiday gift basket is somewhat misleading because there are so many different occasions in which to give a holiday gift basket. They are just not for Easter and Christmas anymore. For example, they make an excellent house warming gift. You can got with kitchen or bathroom basics or even put together a “welcome to the neighborhood” basket filled with local goodies and coupons and gift certificates from local companies in the area. It can make a frantic time a little less and can be very helpful to the new homeowner. A great idea is to present it in a picnic basket – this give the new home owners the opportunity to sneak away from the busy time of unpacking and sorting and enjoy a few quiet moments with a cozy picnic. If the homeowner(s) have children, you can also include something for them… depending on the age things like coloring books and colors, board games, and puzzles to name just a few make great holiday gift basket items for children.
Things You’ll Need:
· Gift Ribbons
· Ribbons
· Tissue Paper
· Cookbooks
· Gift Cards
· Baskets
· Cellophane Gift Wrap
· Gift Bags
· Gift Bows
· Wrapping Paper
· Acid-free Tissue Paper
Reflect upon the personal style and interests of your host.
Decide upon a theme. If the host is a gourmet cook, create a cooking theme. For a stressed-out host, consider a relaxation theme.
Purchase several small gifts that fit your theme. Small soaps, lotions, candles and bath salts fit a relaxation basket, while miniature olive oils, herbs, spices and condiments fit a gourmet cooking basket.
Purchase a sturdy basket with plenty of room to fit all of your little treasures.
Fill the gift basket with cellophane Easter grass, shredded colored paper stuffing or crumpled tissue paper.
Organize the gifts on top of the basket stuffing in an aesthetically pleasing and balanced arrangement.
Wrap the gift basket in colored cellophane wrap or gift wrap. Use an extra-large piece, and wrap it up from the bottom of the basket, tying it with a brightly colored ribbon at the top.
Present the gift basket to your host immediately upon arriving at the party, while extending your gratitude for the invitation.
Holiday gift basket is somewhat misleading because there are so many different occasions in which to give a holiday gift basket. They are just not for Easter and Christmas anymore. For example, they make an excellent house warming gift. You can got with kitchen or bathroom basics or even put together a “welcome to the neighborhood” basket filled with local goodies and coupons and gift certificates from local companies in the area. It can make a frantic time a little less and can be very helpful to the new homeowner. A great idea is to present it in a picnic basket – this give the new home owners the opportunity to sneak away from the busy time of unpacking and sorting and enjoy a few quiet moments with a cozy picnic. If the homeowner(s) have children, you can also include something for them… depending on the age things like coloring books and colors, board games, and puzzles to name just a few make great holiday gift basket items for children.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Fun Pecan Facts
Sure pecans are delicious and nutritious and great in many desserts, but did you know that it would take 5,640 pecan halves to equal the weight of a standard watermelon? Or that it would take 144 million in shell pecans to fill the size of an Olympic swimming pool? It would take over 11 thousand (11, 624) pecans stacked end to end to reach the top of the empire state building in New York. There are over one thousand varieties of pecans and many are named after native American Indian tribes. Pecans come in several different sizes: mammoth, extra large, large, medium small, and midget and come in several forms including whole, halves, pieces, granules, and meal. It would take over 10 billion pecans in a row to reach outer space. Pecans could also help you with your love life. If your body does not get enough zinc, it may have trouble in producing testosterone – which is the key hormone in initiating sexual desire for both men and women. Pecans provide nearly 10 % of the daily allowance of zinc. The US produces over 80% of the world’s pecan crop and some bigger US Shelling companies shell 150,000 pounds a day – that’s enough for 300,000 pecan pies… yummy! Pecans are the highest selling nut in the United States and the only major tree nut that grows naturally in North America. Pecans are a staple during holiday baking and cooking – and it is that time of year when retailers sell the most pecans. What is Thanksgiving or Christmas time without pecan pie or sweet potato (yam) casserole topped with pecans?
Yummy Yam Casserole
4 pounds yams
2 eggs
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 ounces pecan halves
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Poke yams in several places with a fork, and then cook them on high power in microwave oven until heated through and soft (about 20 minutes). When cooled, remove skins and place the yams in a large bowl. Beat yams until smooth. Then beat in one egg at a time, blending after each addition. Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/8 cup melted butter, salt, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg; beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Transfer yam mixture to an un-greased 3 quart casserole dish. Arrange the pecans in a single layer on top. Sprinkle with remaining brown sugar and drizzle 1/4 cup melted butter over the top. Bake casserole for 25 minutes in pre-heated oven or until browned and bubbly.
This recipe is a favorite in our family. It is simple to make and even the people that do not like sweet potatoes or yams love this casserole and ask for the recipe. It is also very easy to make and take for a family dinner or gathering.
Yummy Yam Casserole
4 pounds yams
2 eggs
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 ounces pecan halves
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Poke yams in several places with a fork, and then cook them on high power in microwave oven until heated through and soft (about 20 minutes). When cooled, remove skins and place the yams in a large bowl. Beat yams until smooth. Then beat in one egg at a time, blending after each addition. Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/8 cup melted butter, salt, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg; beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Transfer yam mixture to an un-greased 3 quart casserole dish. Arrange the pecans in a single layer on top. Sprinkle with remaining brown sugar and drizzle 1/4 cup melted butter over the top. Bake casserole for 25 minutes in pre-heated oven or until browned and bubbly.
This recipe is a favorite in our family. It is simple to make and even the people that do not like sweet potatoes or yams love this casserole and ask for the recipe. It is also very easy to make and take for a family dinner or gathering.
Roasted Pecans for football season
Football season is here. Weekends spent with your buddies or alone in front of your television cheering on your team – drinks and snacks at your side. Why not make one of those snacks roasted pecans? They are light and can be eaten by the handful and full of flavor. A basic roasted pecan recipe is:
1 pound pecan halves
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
salt, to taste
Spread the pecans on a baking pan and place pan on center rack of oven. Roast at 250°, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown and become aromatic, about 60 minutes. Stir in butter until pecans are coated and all butter is melted. Return to the oven and toast for about 10 minutes longer.
Salt to taste while pecans are still hot. Serve warm or cooled. Store roasted pecans in a tightly sealed container.
But what if you want to spice it up a bit? Add a little zip and zing to your roasted pecans? There are all sorts of variations you can try… from cajun style roasted pecans to hot pepper roasted pecans to even barbeque roasted pecans… You can wow your friends with these simple and delicious roasted pecans:
In the South we love out barbeque… so wouldn’t it make sense that we would like out pecans barbequed too? This is a great simple way to spice up your roasted pecans for game day -
Barbecued Pecans
*2 tablespoons margarine
*1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
*1 tablespoon ketchup
*2 dashes hot sauce
*4 cups pecan halves salt
Melt margarine in large saucepan. Add Worcestershire sauce, ketchup and hot sauce. Stir in pecans. Spoon into glass baking dish and spread evenly. Toast at 400 degrees about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Turn out on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
And since we are in the South, we do need our Cajun variety of roasted pecans…
Cajun Spiced Pecans
*2 tb Unsalted butter
*3 c Pecan halves
*1/2 c Light brown sugar
*1 t Paprika
*2 ts Powdered Chile
*1 tb Ground cumin
*1/4 c Cider vinegar
*Salt
Preheat oven to 375 F. Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the pecans and saute until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar and cook until caramelized. Stir in the paprika, chile powder and cumin. Add the vinegar and cook until all the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt. Spread the pecans on a cookie sheet and bake in an oven until crisp, about 3 to 5 minutes.
And with southern foods being all about flavor and spice… again, it just makes sense to spice up our pecans with some hot pepper sauce…
HOT PEPPER PECANS
*4 Tablespoons butter or margarine
*1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
*1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
*4 cups pecan halves
Melt butter or margarine. Add Worcestershire sauce and pepper sauce. Spread pecans on a foil lined baking sheet. Coat with butter mixture. Bake at 250° for 30 minutes or until pecans are toasted and crisp, stirring every 10 minutes. When cooled, store in an airtight container.
So, grab some roasted pecans, find your favorite chair, paint your face in your team colors...and enjoy!
1 pound pecan halves
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
salt, to taste
Spread the pecans on a baking pan and place pan on center rack of oven. Roast at 250°, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown and become aromatic, about 60 minutes. Stir in butter until pecans are coated and all butter is melted. Return to the oven and toast for about 10 minutes longer.
Salt to taste while pecans are still hot. Serve warm or cooled. Store roasted pecans in a tightly sealed container.
But what if you want to spice it up a bit? Add a little zip and zing to your roasted pecans? There are all sorts of variations you can try… from cajun style roasted pecans to hot pepper roasted pecans to even barbeque roasted pecans… You can wow your friends with these simple and delicious roasted pecans:
In the South we love out barbeque… so wouldn’t it make sense that we would like out pecans barbequed too? This is a great simple way to spice up your roasted pecans for game day -
Barbecued Pecans
*2 tablespoons margarine
*1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
*1 tablespoon ketchup
*2 dashes hot sauce
*4 cups pecan halves salt
Melt margarine in large saucepan. Add Worcestershire sauce, ketchup and hot sauce. Stir in pecans. Spoon into glass baking dish and spread evenly. Toast at 400 degrees about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Turn out on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
And since we are in the South, we do need our Cajun variety of roasted pecans…
Cajun Spiced Pecans
*2 tb Unsalted butter
*3 c Pecan halves
*1/2 c Light brown sugar
*1 t Paprika
*2 ts Powdered Chile
*1 tb Ground cumin
*1/4 c Cider vinegar
*Salt
Preheat oven to 375 F. Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the pecans and saute until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar and cook until caramelized. Stir in the paprika, chile powder and cumin. Add the vinegar and cook until all the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt. Spread the pecans on a cookie sheet and bake in an oven until crisp, about 3 to 5 minutes.
And with southern foods being all about flavor and spice… again, it just makes sense to spice up our pecans with some hot pepper sauce…
HOT PEPPER PECANS
*4 Tablespoons butter or margarine
*1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
*1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
*4 cups pecan halves
Melt butter or margarine. Add Worcestershire sauce and pepper sauce. Spread pecans on a foil lined baking sheet. Coat with butter mixture. Bake at 250° for 30 minutes or until pecans are toasted and crisp, stirring every 10 minutes. When cooled, store in an airtight container.
So, grab some roasted pecans, find your favorite chair, paint your face in your team colors...and enjoy!
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