Green Tomato Pie

PIE FILLING

4 medium sliced (like apples) green tomatoes (use half green half red ones if available)
1 c seedless raisins
1 c sugar
1 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar

pre-heat oven to 425*

Place one pie crust into bottom of a 9" pan, bake in oven for 15 min.
Reduce oven to *350

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl then pour into the 9" pie pan, (already baked for 15 min at 425*) place the last pie crust (uncooked) on top of the pie filling, place in oven for 45 mins. at 350

let cool and serve warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

Meat Sauce

Ingredients
3 pounds ground beef (I used ground round)
2 pounds sausage
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 large yellow onions, diced
2 green bell peppers, seeded and diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup white wine or stock (your choice)
Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
One 24-ounce jar good store-bought marinara sauce (you can use another jar if you like the sauce to be more saucy than meaty)
One 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
One 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon ground thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional 4 bay leaves
1/4 cup finely minced fresh parsley or 3 tablespoons parsley flakes, plus more for serving
1 whole rind from 1 wedge Parmesan, optional 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, optional, plus more for serving

2 pounds spaghetti, cooked al dente and tossed with olive oil, for serving

Garlic-cheese bread, for serving

Directions

In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and sausage until totally browned. Remove the meat from the pot with a slotted spoon and put it into a bowl. Set aside.

Discard any grease in the pot, but do not clean the pot. Drizzle in the olive oil. When it is heated, throw in the onions and bell peppers. Stir it around for 1 1/2 minutes, and then add the garlic. Stir and cook for an additional minute.

Pour in the wine and allow it to bubble up and reduce for about 1 1/2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, marinara sauce and tomato paste. Stir to combine, and then add the sugar, salt, oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper if using and bay leaves. Stir, and then add the cooked ground beef and sausage and stir to combine. Place the lid on the pot and allow to simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add a little water or some low-sodium broth if it needs more liquid.

After an hour, add the minced parsley and the Parmesan rind if using (or grated Parmesan if you prefer--or both!). Stir to combine, and then put the lid back on and allow it to simmer for another 30 minutes or so. Discard the bay leaves before serving.

Serve a big bowl of oiled noodles and the meat sauce so guests can serve themselves. Top each serving with minced parsley and grated Parmesan (or Parmesan shavings) and serve with a big piece of garlic-cheese bread.

Kansas Cucumbers

1 c. mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/4 c. sugar
4 tsp apple cider vinegar
3 onions thinly sliced
1/2 tsp dill weed (dry is o.k.) it's what I use.
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional) more for sprinkling.
4 med. cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced.

In large bowl with lid combine thinly sliced cucumbers and thinly sliced onions then lightly sprinkle over the top salt.  Keep 1/2 teaspoon salt for salting for taste at end of recipe - cover and place in refrigerator for several hours or over night / stirring every so often.

I leave mine in over night and the next day I drain off all the water that has come from the cucumbers and onions and I rinse them under water. Then with a colander by the hand full I Press out as much water between both of my hands then place in a bowl with lid.

In mixing bowl I combine mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, dill and salt (if desired). Whisk well.  Pour into your drained cucumbers and onions and chill for at least 1 hour.  The longer these have to cool in the fridge the better.  Yields about 8

Strawberry Shortcake

2 cups cake flour
1/4 cup white sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1/3 cup milk

Sift dry ingredients. Cut in shortening. Mix egg with milk and fold into mixture. This makes a dry, rough mixture. Pour into greased and floured square cake pan.  Bake and remove immediately from pan. Baking time 12 min. Temp 450 degrees.

This was my grandmothers favorite and is still hands down the best shortcake I have ever tasted. I hope you enjoy. Quick and Easy!

Condensed Milk

2 c Whole milk
2 c sugar

Boil 30-45 minutes, then ready to use.

Cocoa Syrup

1 c cocoa
1 1/2 c water
2 c sugar

Combine ingredents heat to boiling. Cool.
Can be used for drinks or ice cream topping.

Green Goddess Basil Dressing

Ingredients

1 cup good mayonnaise1 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (6 to 7 scallions)1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)2 teaspoons chopped garlic (2 cloves)2 teaspoons anchovy paste2 teaspoons kosher salt1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1 cup sour cream3 heads Bibb lettuce2 to 3 tomatoes

Directions

Place the mayonnaise, scallions, basil, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, salt and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth.

Add the sour cream and process just until blended. (If not using immediately, refrigerate the dressing until ready to serve.)

Cut each head of lettuce into quarters, remove some of the cores, and arrange on 6 salad plates.

Cut the tomatoes into wedges and add to the plates.

Pour on the dressing and serve.