Fun recipes and more

Gavin has been really interested in household chores like cooking and cleaning lately. He always wants to help. So around the 4th of July we studied Independence Day by making a Patriotic Pie.

Pie Crust: (I also use this recipe to make my quiche crust, or if you are lazy you can just buy prepared pie crust you just cook, but beware of the ingredients!)
1 1/4 cups of whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp sea salt
7 tbsp unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces
1 to 2 tbsp of ice water, or more as needed.

To make the dough in a food processor, combine flour, salt and butter and process until mixture resembles course crumbs, about 10 sec. With the machine running add water through the feed tube and pulse quickly 5 or 6 times until dough comes together and pulls from the sides of the container. Gather dough into a ball, flatten into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate one hour.

Roll out the dough on a slightly floured surface and fit into the pie pan, allow to rest in the refrigerator before baking. At this point I sprinkled some sugar and cinnamon to the dough. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line the pastry with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the crust is set, 12-14 min. Remove the paper and weights and bake until golden brown, 8-10 min. Remove from the oven and cool on wire rack.

Now you are ready to add the fun stuff.

You will need:
Cream cheese softened
chopped strawberries or raspberries
blueberries
and honey

Spread the cream cheese on the crust. Make pretty layers with the fruit and when finished drizzle pie with honey. It makes for a fun and tasty treat the kids can enjoy making. See at picture on my website at: http://picasaweb.google.com/shannon.cummins/OurAdventuresInCO#5488313387602442722




Strawberry Soup

I recently had the strawberry soup at a cute tea house in my home town. Gavin and I loved it. It's cold of course and sweet, but so yummy on a hot summers day. I found the recipe and tried it at home. Next time I make it, I'm freezing it into little popsicle trays for an even colder treat!

1 lb chopped or frozen strawberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar or to taste
1 cup buttermilk...
Blend and refrigerate or serve immediately.
Enjoy!