Saturday Delights # 9 Spring Time

So spring is in the air. Trees and Flowers are starting to bloom. The warm weather is finally coming back. What a better way to enjoy reading outside, in the fresh warm breeze than with some yummy spring time readig food!!!

Berry-Apple-Rhubarb Pie

8 Servings Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 65 min. + cooling

Ingredients

2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter-flavored shortening
6 to 8 tablespoons cold water

FILLING:
2 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup halved fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup fresh blackberries
1 cup sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-1/2 cups plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon 2% milk

Directions
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half so that one portion is slightly larger than the other; wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out larger portion of dough to fit a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate.

In a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice and vanilla; add berries and rhubarb. Combine the flour, cinnamon, allspice and 1-1/2 cups sugar; add to apple mixture and toss gently to coat. Spoon into crust; dot with butter.

Roll out remaining pastry; make a lattice crust. Trim, seal and flute edges. Brush milk over lattice top. Sprinkle with remaining sugar.

Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°; bake 50-60 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece equals 615 calories, 28 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 8 mg cholesterol, 318 mg sodium, 86 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 6 g protein.

Rhubarb Cheesecake Smoothies

6 Servings Prep: 20 min. + cooling

Ingredients

2 cups diced fresh or frozen rhubarb
1/4 cup water
4 tablespoons honey, divided
1-1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 cup milk
1 cup frozen sweetened sliced strawberries
2 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
5 ice cubes

Directions
In a large saucepan, bring the rhubarb, water and 2 tablespoons honey to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until rhubarb is tender. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature.

In a blender, combine the ice cream, milk, rhubarb mixture, strawberries, cream cheese, yogurt, confectioners' sugar, ice cubes and remaining honey; cover and process for 1 minute or until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses; serve immediately. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 cup equals 323 calories, 16 g fat (10 g saturated fat), 53 mg cholesterol, 147 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 6 g protein.

Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

18 Servings Prep: 25 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Ingredients

2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
3/4 cup diced fresh or frozen rhubarb

TOPPING:
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cold butter

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in strawberries and rhubarb. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full.

In a small bowl, combine the pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over batter.

Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.

Nutrition Facts: 1 muffin equals 243 calories, 10 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 14 mg cholesterol, 155 mg sodium, 37 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.

 

Recipes from TASTE OF HOME

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