Super-simple vinaigrette

3t TJ's white balsamic vinegar
2t OhOlive's garlic infused olive oil
1/2t kosher salt
Big pinch black pepper
Little pinch sugar
1/2t Penzey's Canada Powdered Mustard
1t Penzey's Freeze Dried Shallots

A Fish-Taco-At-Home Brainstorm

I love fish tacos, especially the Baja style from Chicks'n'Salsa.  Which are not too cheap and nowhere near home.  I've been noodling around with how to replicate that at home, but a little more easily.  I don't want to bread and then deep fry fish, just for starters. I tried the Gorton's way, but that was... icky.

Pan-fry the fish, marinated and no breading, then throw a few Durkee onions on the taco (with chipotle mayo, shredded cabbage and cucumber) to replicate the breading crunch, flavor, saltiness and unctuousness!  You'll never know if it's bad because I'll delete this post right after I try it for lunch today.

Rhubarb Custard Pie

This is the best pie ever.  Really.

1 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c flour
1/4 t nutmeg
Dash salt
3 eggs, beaten
4 c rhubarb, 1-inch dice
2 T butter

Mix dry ingredients, add eggs and then the rhubarb (if using frozen, don't thaw first, just increase baking time by 5 minutes or so).  Pour into a pie shell, add a lattice top and dot with butter.  Bake at 400 degrees for 50 minutes.

Pecan Pie

One of the biggest reasons I am so thankful that I am no longer allergic to nuts!  And easy, too.

3 eggs
2/3 c sugar
Dash salt
1 c dark corn syrup
1/3 c melted butter
1 c pecan halves

Mix all but nuts until well combined.  Add the nuts and pour into a pie shell.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until a knife inserted to halfway between center and edge comes out clean.  Serve at room temperature.

Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie

I had no idea.  A little like a custard pie but with no eggs, so also a little like a pudding, too.  Warm, room temp or cold, this pie is wonderful and rich!

2 c heavy cream
1 c sugar
1/2 c flour
1/2 t vanilla
2 T butter cut into pieces
Nutmeg

Combine the cream, sugar, flour and vanilla and whisk until well mixed.  Pour into a crust and dot with the butter.  Dust lightly with nutmeg.  Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour or until the crust is browned.  Since there is no egg involved, a slightly wiggly center is no problem.

Mock Mince Meat Pie

I have no idea how this came to be mock minced meat, because it has no meat and should be called apple-raisin or something.  Yummy warm or perhaps even for breakfast?  A la mode definately.  I think the ingredients can be tweaked it almost any direction and a top crust would be a fine addition.

4 apples, peeled, cored,diced
1-1/2 c raisins
1 orange rind
Juice from one orange
Juice
3/4 c sugar
1/4 t clove
1/2 t cinnamon
Crushed crackers

Put the apples, raisins, orange zest and orange juice in a pan.  Bring to a boil and simmer until the apples are soft.  Add juice as needed to create a sauce.  Add the sugar and spices.  Add enough cracker crumbs to slightly thicken the juice.  Pile into a pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.  Serve warm or room temperature.

Shoofly Pie

There are wet versions and dry versions of this pie.  The wet is rather like pecan pie without the pecans.  The dry is almost like a coffeecake in a crust.  This version is somewhere between.

1 c flour
3/4 c brown sugar
2 T butter, softened
1 egg
1 c molasses
1 t baking soda
3/4 c boiling water

Mix the flour and sugar.  Mix in the butter well.  Reserve 2/3 c for the top.  To the rest, add the rest of the ingredients.  Pour into a pie shell and sprinkle the reserved crumbs on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 45-50 minutes or until firm and gold.