Wednesday, April 11, 2007

What's for Supper Wednesday

Last night, Verne asked me if I would mind having company for supper tonight. Of course I didn't mind; I love company! He was working with a colleague who is away from home for the next three nights, and Verne thought that he would enjoy a home-cooked meal.

Not having ever met this man before, I was stumped at what to make. I finally did decide on the menu early this morning, and then needed to set to work to make it happen. We would have baked chicken, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, beets, rolls, and apple pie for dessert.

Baked Chicken -This was the easy part! Throw breasts, thighs, and drumsticks in a baking dish. Bake for 1 hour at 425. That's it! The skin gets nice and crisp, the inside stays juicy.

Celery Stuffing

6 c. chopped celery
1 1/2 c. chopped onion
2 c. margarine
3 loaves stuffing bread (I cut up three loaves of Texas toast)
2 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. salt
1 c. water or chicken broth

Melt margarine. Saute celery and onion until tender. Add seasonings. Pour over bread, mix well. Add water or chicken broth a little at a time. Bake 1 hour. I put this on high in the crockpot for 2 1/2 hours. It was delicious!

ETA: Yes, this is a large recipe, BUT freezes very well pre-baking! You could make a recipe, keep some to bake for your meal that day, and freeze the rest in whatever portion sizes you choose! For our large family, I bake it all. Yes , there are leftovers, but that's fine with us.

Never Fail Pie Crust

3 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 c. shortening

Blend with a pastry blender until fine and crumbly.

1 tsp. vinegar
1 egg, beaten
6 Tbls. COLD water

Mix well, and add to dry ingredients. Blend with pastry blender until no longer sticky, but do not let it get dry. Roll out about 1/2 recipe at a time onto a heavily floured board until 1/8 inch thick.



Apple Pie

Peel 6 large, firm Granny Smith apples. Core and slice.
Make a recipe of Never fail Pie Crust. Roll out the bottom crust. Sprinkle 1 tsp. of flour into pie pan. Place bottom crust in the pan. Sprinkle with about 1 Tbls. flour. Mix 3/4 c. sugar with about 2 Tbls cinnamon. You may adjust the amount to suit your taste.
Place a layer of apples evenly over the bottom of the crust. Sprinkle the apples with the cinnamon mixture. Continue layering apples and cinnamon mixture until the apples are level with the top of the pie crust. Dot with 2 Tbls. butter. Roll out the top crust, and drape it over the pie. Crimp the edges, and cut several vent slits in the top. Brush crust with melted butter. Bake the pie in a preheated 425 degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350, and bake 30-40 minutes longer until apples are tender when pierced with a skewer, and the crust is browned.


Pie Crust Pinwheels

Roll out the leftover pie crust. Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Cut into rectangles 1 1/2 - 2 inches wide and 5-6 inches long. Roll. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, and bake at 375 for 15 minutes.

A delicious dinner was enjoyed by all! Check out the following slide show for a tutorial on making homemade apple pie...

12 comments:

Ruth said...

I have two things to say: YUM!! and WOW!! =o)

Anonymous said...

I'm certain your home-cooked meal was a blessing to this man. You took time and prepared a thoughtful menu, full of love, and showed kindness in doing so. Your husband must be proud!

Thank you for the recipes, Tracy. I hope you don't mind me copying your menu sometime soon. :o)

Tracy said...

Sherry,
Thank you for your sweet comments. I pray that I not only blessed our visitor tonight, but my husband also. He and I talked about that very thing this evening after our guest left. I love having a nice meal for my HUSBAND'S guests. I think that it shows my affection for him if I treat those whom he has invited in a special way.
Of course you may copy my recipes! I'm thrilled that you would want to!

Kelli said...

Oh, YUM!! Your menu sounds delicious. My mouth is watering so I'm going to have to make that chicken and stuffing soon!
Kelli

Trella said...

Wow! Can I be a guest at your home:)?
I have always wanted a good apple pie recipe, I will have to give yours a try. What a blessing I am sure it was for your guest and your husband.
Have a great day,
Trella

Jennifer said...

YUP!
I can't wait to try your Apple Pie Recipe! (the stuffing recipe sounds wonderful too ~ I love large recipes that you can freeze for a later quick meal)
I'm sure your guest was blessed and full when he left :o)

Beemoosie said...

Thank you for visiting my blog! Your blog is a blessing!
What time is dinner??!! :)
~Blessings,
Bonnie

Mrs. Anna T said...

The pie recipe looks absolutely delicious.
Does it matter if I use margarine instead of butter?

Beach Girl said...

As Rachel Ray says, "YUM-O!"

You asked how I made my "calling card" ready for each time. I put what I wanted to say in and email and saved it as a draft. Now when I need to use it, I open it up and do the copy/paste thing into the comment box. I'm assuming that you know how to do that, but if not, let me know.

Makes life so much easier; I'm all for short cuts! :-)

Vanessa

Tracy said...

Anna,
Sure, you can substitute margarine for the butter. We pretty much stick to butter around here, because the taste is SOOOOOO good, and no trans fat. But if you would like to, substitute away.

Vanessa,
Thanks for letting me know how to do the calling card. Very handy!

Bonnie,
I'm so glad that you stopped by for a visit. Come again soon!

Betty said...

Tracy,
Your meal sounds delicious......Thank you, I think my grandson is handsome, too..

My Mother used to say that every Mama crow thinks her babies have the blackest wings......

Lori said...

Once again thanks for sharing some yummy recipes. They all sound good!