Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Spicy Pork Stir fry


  • 1 pork tenderloin sliced into bite size strips (roughly about 2 lbs)
  • 1 tbs cornstarch
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 tbs minced fresh ginger (or more to taste)
  • 2 tbs sesame oil
  • 2 tangerines cut into small slices and seeds removed
  • 3 heads of bok choy clean and cut into bite sized pieces
  • 7 or 8 small mushrooms cut into quarters
  • 1/4 tsp Chinese five spice
  • 1/4 cup sweet Asian Chili sauce
  • 2 tbs soy sauce
  • salt & pepper to taste
Toss pork with salt and pepper and cornstarch. In a large skillet place 1 tbs of sesame oil and the ginger and set on med heat. Add in pork and brown until almost completely cooked through (approx. 4 min). Add green pepper and tangerines and cook for another 4 min. Mix soy sauce, chili sauce and Chinese five spice then add to pork and simmer until sauce has thickened, approx. 5 min. Toss in Bok Choy and mushroom and toss. Cook until Bok Choy is wilted about 4 min. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Homemade Poptarts



Pie Crust
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
  • 1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, very-cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (you may also use Smart Balance or Margarine)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 6 to 8 Tbsp ice water
In a food processor: combine dry ingredients and pulse to mix. Add in butter in small cubes and pulse until the dough is a curd consistency. Add in water a little at a time until the dough forms.

By hand: mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Using a fork or your hands mix in butter until its a curd consistency. Add in water a little at a time until the dough forms.

Chill in the fridge for 10 mins.

Roll out to 1/8 inch thick sheet and cut into even rectangles. You may cut shapes into one side if you like.

Spread Pumpkin Butter, Apple Butter, or Jam onto the middle of one side of the pie rectangle. Place the other pie sheet on top and seal by pressing the sides with a fork. Bake in oven @ 350 for 20 min.

if adding sprinkles (like in the photo above) wipe tarts with an egg wash and then sprinkle.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Pumpkin Waffles

You can use either fresh baked pumpkin or pumpkin in a can. I like short cuts as well :)
Ingredients:

  • • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • • 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 1 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
    • 1/4 tsp. cloves
    • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
    • 2 large eggs/ or 1/2 cup egg substitute
    • 1 cup whole milk/ can sub soy or skim
    • 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin/ or fresh if you are feeling frisky
    • 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and warm
  • **if you want to use pumpkin spice omit cloves nutmeg and cinnamon and add 1 tbs pumpkin spice****

DIRECTIONS

1. Lightly oil the waffle iron with vegetable oil.

2. Combine dry ingredients and mix well. Make sure there aren't any clumps.

3. Separate eggs: yolks go in a medium sized bowl and whites get set aside in a smaller bowl. if using egg substitute omit this step.

4. Add pumpkin and milk to the egg yolks. Whisk to blend and set aside.

5. Whip egg whites with a hand mixer on high until stiff peaks form – about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes. Set aside.

6. Pour melted butter into the yolk/milk/pumpkin mixture. As you pour, whisk to combine.

7. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix them together until just combined. A little lumpiness is fine.

8. Slide the whipped egg whites out of the bowl and onto the mixture you just prepared. Gently fold them in until no white bits are obvious. (if not omitted)

9. Once the waffle iron is heated, you’re ready to pour the batter!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Roll Dough:
1/4 cup warm water
1 package active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm milk
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 cup pumpkin puree, either fresh or canned
1 tbs melted butter
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Filling:
1 stick butter
2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
walnuts or pecans (opitional)

cream cheese frosting:
4 oz cream cheese
1/2 stick of butter (or smart balance 1/4 cup)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 cups powdered sugar

Directions - Bread Maker

Add dough ingredients in this order:
1/4 cup warm water
1/3 cup warm milk
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 cup pumpkin puree, either fresh or canned
1 tbs melted butter
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 package active dry yeast

close and set on dough setting. Let dough rise in bread maker for 1 hr (NO MORE)
Roll out dough and spread on filling.
cut with pizza cutter or knife into strips and roll into pinwheels. Place on greased cookie sheet and back at 375 for 20-30 minutes or until the tops are browned.
Cover with frosting and enjoy.

Monday, September 20, 2010

New Logos



I have been working on a logo that fits my personality and love of baking for quite a while. These are prototypes. Let me know what you think.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Butterscotch Pudding Pie

Makes 2 pies

4.5 hours

Crust:

  • 25 graham crackers (broken into pieces) or 3 1/4 cups graham crackers crumbs
  • 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks)

Whipping Cream:

  • · 1 pint whipping cream
  • · ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • · 1 tbls vanilla extract

Butterscotch pudding: Recipe courtesy "Joy of Cooking":

  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 1/4 cups milk
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons water, plus 1/4 cup
  • 1 package powdered unflavored gelatin, about 2 1/2 teaspoons
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup packed cornstarch

Crust:

Mix Graham cracker crumbs, butter, and brown sugar together well. Press into pie plates. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes and allow cooling before adding pudding.

To make the pudding:

In a small medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the dark brown sugar and cook, stirring, until melted and bubbly. Gradually add in the heavy cream and stir over low heat until the butterscotch is dissolved. Whisk in the milk and salt. Remove from the heat and set aside until lukewarm. Pour the 2 tablespoons of water into a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the top, do not stir. Set aside to let the gelatin bloom.

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and the remaining 1/4 cup water. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the butterscotch mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat until the mixture thickens. Reduce the heat to low; stir briskly, and bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the gelatin mixture and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Cover the surface of the pudding with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Allow to set for 4 hours.

Whipping cream:

Beat whipping cream and vanilla to stiff peaks adding powered sugar a little at a time until fully incorporated. Spread over top of pie when pudding is set.

Black Bean Corn Salsa

This is a most easy dip for any entertaining event.

2 cans sweet yellow corn
2 cans black beans
2 cans diced tomatoes. (fresh can also be used sub 4 cups more or less if you like)
2 large hand fulls of cilantro chopped
2 bunches of green onions chopped (around 7 onions)
3 cloves of garlic
2 Jalapeno peppers (more or less if you like spicy or not)
Juice of two limes
salt and pepper to taste

Drain and combine corn, and diced tomatoes. Drain and rinse black beans and add with corn and tomatoes. add in onions, cilantro, Jalapeno peppers and garlic. Toss to combine. Juice two fresh limes over mixture and add salt and pepper to taste.
Refrigerate over night for best results, or eat immediately if you can't wait.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Fried Apple Pies

Makes 32 pies

4 cans of biscuit (8 biscuits per can)

4 cans of apple pie filling

2 cups of sugar

4 tsp lemon juice

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

2 tlbs vegi oil

¼ cup powdered sugar

Mix filling ingredents. Roll out biscuits. Place small amount of mix on biscuit and fold pressing sides down with a fork.

Place oil in pan and heat on med. heat. Fry each pie until golden brown. Sprinkle with powder sugar and serve

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Pulled Chicken Tacos

5 boneless chicken breast
1 32 oz container of Swanson Chicken broth
2 jalapeno peppers halved and cleaned (remove all seeds)
1 Serrano pepper halved and cleaned
1 green bell pepper cut in to strips
4 cloves of garlic
2 Chipotles chillies in adobo sauce (La Costena brand or some other)

Place all ingredients in crockpot and set to cook for 6 hours on high. Warm tortillas, add cheese and onion and viola.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Black Raspberry Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

Black Raspberry Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

This is another creation by B.

2 sticks of unsalted butter @ room temperature. (if using salted omit salt in recipe)
1/2 cup of sugar
2 eggs, room temp
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
2 1/2 cups of flour
1 cup of coconut flakes (or more as needed)
3/4 cup of Black Raspberry seedless preserves

Preheat oven to 350

Sift Flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl and set aside. Cream butter and add eggs one at a time until incorporated. Combine flour mixture into butter mixture small amounts at a time until all incorporated. Refrigerate for 20 min.
Scoop out dough in teaspoon sizes (dough will be wet) and roll in coconut flakes. Place on baking sheet and use thumb to indent (do not press so hard as to make a hole). Repeat for all dough.
Using the teaspoon, place preservers in each hole.
Bake for 15 mins or until firm and the coconut is slightly browned.
Allow to cool and enjoy.
Makes 2 dozen cookies.

Just a few words

So Fall is almost here again and all I can think of is pumpkin. Pumpkin pies, cookies, ice cream, cheesecake, cappuccino. It all sounds so wonderful. I have been really busy with classes and family lately. So busy, in fact, that I haven't been able to post any recipes or make very many things. This is completely a shame. With the weather turning a bit cooler I can only think of comfort foods. I have a few recipes brewing that I want to try, but before I post them here I have to see if they will work and be tasty. No ruining my reputation.

Happy Baking.
-B

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Key Lime Pie

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs Or Chocolate graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick butter) melted
  • 2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
  • 1 cup key lime or regular lime juice
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter with your hands. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, and bake until brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature.

Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

In a separate bowl, combine the condensed milk, lime juice, and eggs. Whisk until well blended and place the filling in the cooled pie shell. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes and allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Once chilled, combine the yo and powdered sugar and spread over the top of the pie using a spatula. Sprinkle the lime zest as a garnish on top of the sour cream and serve chilled.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Zucchini Bread


3 cups of shredded zucchini
1 2/3 cups sugar (can substitute Splenda or alternate sweetener)
2/3 cup vegetable or 1 1/3 cup apple sauce
2 tsp vanilla
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups of all purpose white flour
1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts

topping 1/8 cup of halved nuts and 2 tablespoons dry oatmeal

Pre-heat oven to 350. Position oven rack to low position. The pans will need to be placed in the center of the oven. Grease or spray oil on the bottom of 2 loaf pans.
Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly. Add in oil (or apple sauce) vanilla and eggs and mix completely. Add in zucchini and nuts and fold until completely incorporated.
Pour into loaf pans and sprinkle topping if desired.
Bake loaves 50 to 60 mins or until tooth pick placed in the middle comes out clean. Cool 10 mins before loosening sides of bread and removing from pans. Cool completely before slicing. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate and store up to 10 days.

May be frozen for up to 2 months.

****this is a personal favorite for this time of year and one of my own recipes.*****

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients needed:
• 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup finely ground pecans
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Three 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• One 15-ounce can solid-pack pumpkin purée
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Combine the cracker crumbs, pecans, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix in the melted butter. Line a 9-inch spring form pan with parchment paper. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides. This can also be made in cupcake molds but the baking time would be considerably less.

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and the nutmeg in the bowl of an electric mixer on low speed until smooth and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Make sure that the batter is free of cheese chunks. Add the eggs and yolks one at a time and beat just until blended. Add the pumpkin and cream and mix until smooth. Spread the batter in the pan, and place it on a baking sheet.

Bake until the center is nearly set, 60 to 70 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

Carefully run a sharp knife between the cake and the sides of the pan. Remove the sides of the pan. Cool completely on the rack before covering tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Refrigerate until well chilled before serving, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.

Pizza Dough

1 package active dry yeast
2 teaspoons of honey
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups of white or whole wheat flour, plus more for dusting

In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the yeast, honey, and warm water; stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, about 5 to 10 minutes. Turn the mixer on low and add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a little at a time, mixing at the lowest speed until all the flour has been incorporated. When the dough starts to come together, increase t he speed to medium; stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough by squeezing a small amount together: if it's crumbly, add more water; if it's sticky,add more flour - 1 tablespoon at a time. Mix until the dough gathers into a ball, this should take about 5 minutes. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times; kneading until it's smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a round and place in a lightly oiled bowl, turn it over to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e. over a gas pilot light) until doubled in size, about 1 hour. This is a good time to stick a pizza stone in the oven and preheat them to 500 degrees F. Once the dough is domed and spongy, turn it out onto a lightly floured counter. Roll and stretch the dough into a cylinder and divide into 3 equal pieces. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes so it will be easier to roll out. Roll or pat out a piece of dough into a 12 inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Dust a pizza paddle with flour and slide it under the pizza
dough. Brush the crust with a thin layer of olive oil, and top with your favorite flavors. Slide the pizza onto the hot stone in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Witches Brooms


Servings: 20

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 10 pretzel rods, about 8 1/2 inches long, cut crosswise in half
  • 2 teaspoons shortening
  • 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • Butterscotch-flavored chips, melted
Instructions:
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C). Mix brown sugar, butter, water and vanilla in medium bowl. Stir in flour and salt. Shape dough into twenty 1 1/4-inch balls.
  2. Place pretzel rod halves on ungreased cookie sheet. Press ball of dough onto cut end of each pretzel rod.
  3. Press dough with fork to resemble "bristles" of broom.
  4. Bake about 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely on wire rack, about 30 minutes.
  5. Cover cookie sheet with waxed paper. Place brooms on waxed paper. Heat shortening and chocolate chips over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth; remove from heat. Spoon melted
  6. chocolate over brooms, leaving about 1 inch at top of pretzel handle and bottom halves of cookie bristles uncovered. Drizzle with melted butterscotch chips. Let stand until chocolate is set.
  7. Makes 20 snacks.
Nutritional Information
1 Serving:
Calories 150 (Calories from Fat 65 ); Total Fat 7 g (Saturated Fat 2 g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 170 mg;
Total Carbohydrate 21 g (Dietary Fiber 1 g); Protein 2 g
% Daily Value: Vitamin A 4 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 0%; Iron 4 %
Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1/2 Fruit; 1 Fat

Source: Betty Crocker.com
Date: October 19, 2005

Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients needed:
  • 2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
  • 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 ounces red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, softened
  • 1 pound box confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans


FOR THE CAKE:
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) cake pans. In a medium bowl or on a piece of waxed paper, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Beat in eggs one at a time. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk. Beat in food coloring and vinegar, then add vanilla. Spread the batter evenly in the pans.
  • Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Turn out onto a rack to cool.
FOR THE FROSTING:
  • In a large bowl, cream the cream cheese and butter. Beat in confectioners' sugar until fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Stir in pecans. Use frosting to fill and ice cake.
  • Slice and serve on individual plates.
  • Yield: 8 servings

Pumpkin Pie Cake

Makes 12 servings Prep: 20 minutes Bake: 1 hour Source: Midwest Living

Ingredients

  • 1 29-ounce can pumpkin
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
  • 1 package 2-layer-size yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  • 3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted


Directions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and ginger.
  2. Add eggs. Beat lightly until mixture is just combined.
  3. Gradually stir in evaporated milk; mix well.
  4. Pour into a greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
  5. Sprinkle cake mix over pumpkin mixture; sprinkle with nuts.
  6. Drizzle with melted butter or margarine.
  7. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until edges are firm and center is almost set.
  8. Cool on wire rack.
  9. Store in the refrigerator.

Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin Cookies, a delectable treat that any muggle would love!


Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pumpkin
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups flour - all purpose
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder



Directions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350.

Step 2: Cream sugar and shortening.

Step 3: Add vanilla, egga, and pumpkin.

Step 4: Sift dry ingredients.

Step 5: Add remaining ingredients - mix well.

Step 6: Use teaspoon to drop cookies on cookie sheet.

Step 7: Bake 10-12 minutes. Makes about 6 dozen.



Pumpkin Cookie Frosting:

Ingredients:

· 3 tablespoons butter

· ½ cup brown sugar

· 4 tablespoons milk

Directions:

Step 1: Bring above ingredients to a boil in sauce pan. Cool for a short while.

Step 2: Add: 3/4 teaspoon vanilla and 1 or more cups powdered sugar.

Step 3: Put onto cookies and ENJOY!

*************from mugglenet.com***************

Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs

¼ cup finely ground pecans

¼ cup brown sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Three 8-oz packages cream cheese, at room temperature

1 ½ cups sugar

2 Tbs cornstarch

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

2 large eggs

2 large egg yolks

One 15-oz can solid-pack pumpkin puree

½ cup heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 350 F

Combine the cracker crumbs, pecan, brown sugar, and ½ tsp of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix in the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of an un-greased 9-inch spring form pan.

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, the remaining ½ tsp cinnamon, and the nutmeg in the bowl of an electric mixer on low speed until smooth an fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs and yolks and beat just until blended. Mix in the pumpkin and cream. Spread the batter in the pan, and place it on a baking sheet.

Bake until the center is nearly set, 60 to 70 min. Cool on a wire rack for 15 min.Carefully run a sharp knife between the cake and the sides of the pan. Remove the sides of the pan. Cool completely on the rack before covering tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Refrigerate until well chilled before serving, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.

Yield: 10 to 12 servings.

Use caramel sauce to design.

Pecan Pie

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Yield: One 9-inch pie

Sweet Dough Spice variation, for a 1 crust pie, above
Filling:
1 cup dark corn syrup
3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons butter
3 large eggs
Pinch salt
2 tablespoons Bourbon
2 cups pecan halves or pieces, or a combination, about 8 ounces
One 9 inch Pyrex pie pan

To make the filling, combine corn syrup and sugar in saucepan and stir to mix. Place over low heat and bring to a boil, without stirring. Remove from heat, add butter and allow butter to melt. In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs until liquid and whisk in salt and Bourbon. Whisk in syrup and butter mixture, being careful not to over mix. Allow to cool while rolling and forming the bottom crust.
Set a rack at the lowest level of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.
Arrange pecans in crust. Skim foam from top of filling (or the top will have an unattractively mottled surface) and pour over pecans. With the back of a fork, press the pecans down into the filling so that they are covered.
Bake the pie for about 45 minutes, until the crust is baked through and the filling is set and well puffed in the center. Cool the pie on a rack and serve warm or at room temperature.
Variations:

CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE: Use the Cocoa flavored Sweet Dough, above, instead of the Spice Crust. Add 4 ounces coarsely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate to the hot syrup mixture along with the butter. Allow chocolate to melt and whisk filling smooth. Stir the pecans into the filling, rather than pouring it over them.
WALNUT RUM PIE: Replace Bourbon in filling with dark rum; replace pecans with walnut halves and pieces. Use the plain Sweet Dough, rather than the Spice Crust.
Substitute other nuts, such as hazelnuts or almonds, or a combination of several kinds of nuts.

SWEET DOUGH FOR PIES

One-crust pie, about 10 ounces dough:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose bleached flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter
1 large egg
Two-crust pie, about 1 1/4 pounds dough:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose bleached flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter
2 large eggs

To mix the dough by hand, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in a medium mixing bowl and stir well to mix. Cut butter into 1-tablespoon pieces and add to dry ingredients. Toss once or twice to coat pieces of butter. Then using your hands or a pastry blender, break the butter into tiny pieces and pinch and squeeze it into the dry ingredients. Occasionally reach down to the bottom of the bowl and mix all the ingredients evenly together. Continue rubbing the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles a coarse-ground cornmeal and no large pieces of butter remain visible. Beat the egg(s) in a small bowl and pour over the flour and butter mixture. Stir in with a fork until the dough begins to hold together, but still appears somewhat dry. Scatter a teaspoon of flour on the work surface and scrape the dough out onto it. Press and knead the dough quickly 3 or 4 times, until it is smooth and uniform.
To mix the dough in the food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in work bowl fitted with metal blade. Pulse 3 times at 1-second intervals to mix. Cut butter into 1 tablespoon pieces and add to work bowl. Process, pulsing repeatedly at 1-second intervals, until the mixture is fine and powdery, resembles a coarse-ground cornmeal and no large pieces of butter remain visible, about 15 pulses in all. Add the egg(s) to the work bowl and pulse ten times or so, until the dough forms a ball. Scatter a teaspoon of flour on the work surface and scrape the dough out onto it. Press and knead the dough quickly 3 or 4 times, until it is smooth and uniform. Press the dough into a disk (two equal disks for the larger amount of dough). Sandwich the disk(s) of dough between two pieces of plastic wrap and press it into a 6-inch circle. Refrigerate the dough until firm, or until you are ready to use it, at least 1 hour.
Storage: Keep the dough in the refrigerator up to two days, or freeze it double-wrapped in plastic. Because the dough is thin, it will defrost quickly at room temperature when you intend to use it.
Variations:


SPICE CRUST: Add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon each freshly grated nutmeg and ground cloves to the dry ingredients before mixing in the butter. Double the quantities for the 2-crust recipe.