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...