Sunday, December 18, 2011

Apple® Apple pie!! ♥ Look closely

For my friend Gordon's birthday I cut a Apple® logo in the
center a tribute to the most helpful friend and tech support.
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cups white sugar
3 teaspoon salt
3 tsp of squeezed lemon
2 stick of butter
8-10 apples - peeled, cored and cut into thin wedges
pie crust recipe (x1.5)

Directions:
1. Peel and core the apples. Slice into 1/2-inch thick wedges. Toss all of the apples with 1/4
cup of the sugar, place in a colander set over a large bowl and allow to drain for approximately 1 1/2 hours.
2. Transfer the drained liquid to a small saucepan, place over medium heat and reduce to 2 tablespoons. Set aside to cool.
3.Toss the apples with the remaining sugar, flour, lemon juice, salt.
4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
5.Place the apples into the unbaked pie shell in concentric circles starting around the edges, working towards the center and forming a slight mound in the center of the pie.
6. Pour over any liquid that remains in the bowl.
7. Roll out the second pie dough as the first.
8. Place this dough over the apples and press together the edges of the dough around the rim of the pie. 9. Brush the top crust with the reduced juice everywhere except around the edge of pie and trim any excess dough.
10. Place the pie on a half sheet pan and bake on the floor of the oven for 30 minutes.
11. Transfer to the lower rack of the oven and continue to bake another 20 minutes or until the apples are cooked through (but not mushy).
12. Remove to a rack and cool a minimum of 5 hours or until almost room temperature.
13. Serve and enjoy with a large family or  group of friends!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Dorayaki どら焼き♥ Japanese snacks

A traditional Japanese dessert made with pancakes sandwiching Azuki (sweet bean paste) filling. It's said that the named is derived from it's shape which resembles dora (gong in Japanese). For best results  cook on an electric pan so that pancake brown evenly.

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup of water
1 cup all purpose flour, sifted
2 cups of Azuki (sweet red bean paste)

Directions:
1. Whisk together eggs, sugar, and water. 
2. Add sifted flour and baking powder. 
3. Pour a small scoop of the batter into the buttered skillet (3-4 inches). 
4. Turn over when bubbles appear on the surface. 
5. Repeat this process 3&4. 
6. Scoop 2 tbsp of sweet red beans between them.
7. Enjoy now or wrap it up to enjoy as a snack later.