BLACK  BOTTOM  PIE

GRAHAM  CRACKER  CRUST:

1 1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs
1/2 c. diet margarine

–FILLING:–

1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3/4 c. part-skim ricotta cheese
12 packets sweetener
1 packet low-calorie whipped topping
mix
1 1/2 c. skim milk
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. cocoa

Combine crumbs with diet margarine by cutting in softened margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Press firmly in bottom and sides of 8 or 9 inch pie pan.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.  Cool.  In small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup skim milk.  Let stand one minute.  Heat, stirring constantly until gelatin dissolves.  In blender or food processor, blend ricotta until smooth and add gelatin mixture, remaining 1 cup milk and vanilla.  Continue blending until completely smooth.  Remove half the mixture, set aside.  To mixture still in blender, add 6 packs sugar substitute and cocoa.  Blend thoroughly.  Pour blender mixture into crust, chill for 30 minutes or until partially set.  At the same time, chill remaining mixture for 30 minutes. Read the rest of this entry »

TACO PIE

1 - 8 oz. sour cream
6 slices American cheese
2 cups taco chips
shredded lettuce
1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup water
1 - 8 oz. pkg. crescent rolls

Brown the ground beef. Drain off any grease. Add taco mix and water. Simmer 5 minutes. Place your crescent rolls in the bottom of an ungreased 10 inch pie tin. Sprinkle 1 cup taco chips on the crust. Add the ground beef mixture, sour cream and American cheese. Sprinkle remaining chips.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Serve with shredded lettuce.

TUNA TAMALE PIE

3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
3 cups boiling water
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
2-1/2 cups cooked kidney beans, drained
2 cups stewed tomatoes
1 cup finely shredded cheese
2 -  6-1/2 oz. cans chunk style tuna
1 or 2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 cup pepper

Slowly stir cornmeal into boiling, salted water, while stirring constantly. Cook until thick. Mix the rest of the ingredients in a bowl.

Pour half of the cornmeal mush into a greased 2 qt. baking dish. Top with the tuna mixture. Cover with the rest of the mush.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Serves 4 to 6.

GUBADIA (Tatar Wedding Pie)

Here is a favorite Tatar pie — with layers of meat, rice, chopped eggs, raisins and kort (sweet, dry cottage cheese). It is traditionally served at weddings and big banquets. The recipe below will serve four as an appetizer or a light first course. (Double the recipe and and make two pies for a buffet, or four small 4-inch individual pies for a lunch or supper main course).

INGREDIENTS

Dough

3/4 cup milk
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 package active dry yeast
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup lukewarm water (105 to 115º Fahrenheit)
1 large egg plus 2 large egg yokes, well beaten
3/4 tablespoon salt
4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Filling

4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 pound ground beef
Sault and freshly ground black
pepper, to taste
1 large onion, chopped
3 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
1/2 recipe yeast dough
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup cooked long-grain rice
1/3 cup raisins
1 large egg yolk, beaten with 1 teaspoon milk
Read the rest of this entry »

Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more or greasing the pan
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs, separated
5 tablespoons instant espresso
6 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder (recommended: Droste)
6 tablespoons dark rum or Marsala
1 1/2 cups ground, toasted, blanched almonds
All-purpose flour, for coating the pan
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Melt the butter in a glass bowl over simmering water. Once the butter melts, whisk in the sugar and the egg yolks, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly so that the eggs become ribbon-like and light in color (don’t scramble.) Whisk in the coffee, cocoa powder, rum and almonds, and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
Transfer the cake mixture to a mixing bowl and set aside.
Read the rest of this entry »