Tag: Summer

Sweet Treats

Recipe—Strawberry Pie

Diva di Cucina

It’s strawberry season in California! It’s the time of year when you can find those big delicious bright red berries everywhere you look. At your grocery store, the farmer’s market, and sometimes even on your drive on backcountry roads. I grew up eating strawberries by the basketful. No seriously. Ask my mom. We used to have to get two baskets at the store just so one of them would make it home. I remember sitting in the front seat of the car on our drive home from the store and emptying one of those little green baskets. I would be covered in sticky sweet red berry juice.  Ahhhh… sweet memories. Speaking of, what ever happened to those green baskets? They were the best for crafts! Sorry, I’m getting off track. I love strawberries! That’s my point here.

This strawberry pie recipe is so perfect for the summer. I believe this pie coined the term, “easy as pie,” because anyone can make it, and in minutes at that. It is so refreshing and light and perfect for your next summer gathering. Heck, it’s perfect for any day of the week! You won’t need a special occasion for this refreshing and oh so delicious pie.

INGREDIENTS
1 sheet of refrigerated piecrust at room temperature
1 1/2 pints ripe strawberries
1 (3 oz) package strawberry Jell-O
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 c water
1/2 c sugar
1 pint heavy whipping cream
4 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

STEPS

  • Preheat oven to 450º.
  • Unroll your piecrust and line a pie dish with a single sheet.
  • Pierce the bottom of your piecrust with a fork several times.
  • Bake at 450º for 9–11 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool.
  • While piecrust is cooling thinly slice your berries.
  • In a medium saucepan mix the package of Jell-O with the cornstarch.
  • Add the water and sugar to pan.
  • Cook over medium heat while stirring occasionally until boiling.
  • Add the sliced berries to your piecrust making sure that they are evenly distributed.
  • Pour the Jell-O mixture over the strawberries.
  • Place the pie in the refrigerator and allow to chill for 4–5 hours or until it sets.
  • Before serving the pie, prepare your whip cream by mixing the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla using a hand mixer. Mix on high speed for 2–3 minutes or until desired thickness.
  • Top pie with your homemade whip cream.
  • Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Appetizers

Recipe—Western Bacon Jalapeño Poppers

Diva di Cucina

Recipe—Western Bacon Poppers

With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend I thought I would share one of my favorite finger food recipes. There are many variations of jalapeño poppers out there, but these are my favorite. They are absolutely evil and they are sure to start your Super Bowl party off with a bang. These are perfect balance of spicy, salty, and tangy. Make three times more than you think you will need, just trust me on that. Most people end up inhaling several. They really are that good.

Note: Poppers can be prepared a day ahead of time and kept in the fridge right before cooking if needed. These can also be finished off on the bbq instead of the oven to give them a nice smoky flavor.

INGREDIENTS:
5 jalapeños, seeded and deveined based on desired heat
5 slices (about 1/4” thick) of cheddar cheese cut in half lengthwise
5 slices of bacon cut in half
1/4 c of your favorite bbq sauce

STEPS:

  • Preheat oven to 400º.
  • Place bacon in a large pyrex dish so that the slices do not overlap.
  • Pre-cook the bacon in the oven for 8 minutes flipping once halfway through. You do not want the pieces to be overcooked. They should still be partially raw and flexible so that you can easily wrap the slices around the poppers.
  • While the bacon is cooking, place a block of cheddar cheese in each jalapeño half. You may need to cut the cheddar block slightly shorter to fit within the pepper’s cavity. The pepper will fill in with the cheese once melted.
  • When all of the jalapeños are filled, and the bacon has cooled, wrap the half slice of bacon around each jalapeño. Secure the bacon with a toothpick if necessary.
  • Place wrapped poppers on a baking sheet and dab with bbq sauce.
  • Cook in the oven for 10–14 minutes or until bacon looks cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly. If you want to give the bacon a little extra crisp turn on the broiler for a minute before removing from the oven.
  • Dab with additional bbq sauce before serving.