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Easy Country Style Chicken Pie Recipe

July 27, 2010 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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You can make a batch of these easy pies and freeze them to have a quick dinner ready whenever you need to. I have made these pies in smaller sizes as well, using little foil forms and I did them both ways – freezing them unbaked as well as baking them first and freezing them for later use. Personally, I prefer freezing them unbaked, carefully defrosting them at room temperature and baking them in time for dinner. You can use commercially available pie crusts, or make you own to make this pie truly country style homemade. Either way – it’s very easy to make and tastes great!

To make your own pastry, follow this link:

Flaky Pastry Recipe

Easy Country Style Chicken Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup thinly sliced onion
  • 1 tablespoon of finely chopped pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine
  • 1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup of milk
  • 2 cups of chopped chicken meat
  • ¾ cups of mixed vegetables
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Prepare pastry and line a deep 9” pie plate, reserving some pastry for top crust.
  2. Saute onions and green peppers in butter until tender.
  3. Add remaining ingredients.
  4. Pour mixture into pie shell.
  5. Roll out top crust. Make slits to allow steam to escape.
  6. Place over pie and seal again.
  7. Bake in moderately hot oven (425 F) for 20 -25 minutes or until pastry is done.

Hope you have enjoyed this recipe – please send in your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed!

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Leftover Sour Cream Apple Pie Recipe

July 20, 2010 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Use leftover sour cream to create this delicious pie – You will love the creamy texture and avoid discarding sour cream that you have sitting in your fridge. Its very easy to put together and you can use either store bought crust or make you own using my Flaky Pastry recipe:

Flaky Pastry Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of finely chopped tart apples
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
  • 1/8 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup of sour cream
  • 1 egg
  • 1 pie shell, unbaked

Topping:

  • 1/3 cup of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup of flour
  • 1/4 cup of butter

Directions:

  1. Mix 3/4 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons flour
  2. Add sour cream, egg, vanilla and salt.
  3. Add apples
  4. Pour into unbaked pie shell.
  5. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes.
  6. Combine 1/3 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/3 cup flour; cut in butter.
  7. Sprinkle over pie and return to oven.
  8. Bake for another 20 minutes at 325°.

Hope you enjoyed this recipe – please send in your comments, suggestions and experiences – your input is always welcomed and much appreciated

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Easy Ways to Make Pies

July 6, 2010 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Fruit pies are one of family favourites – and there are thousands of recipes available. I like simple things – and believe me – there is a simple way to make good old-fashioned fruit pies. starting with a great homemade crust is the key to success – here is the best ever pie crust recipe I use for every pie I make – and that includes meat pies and cream pies. And if you use it when making tarts – everyone is likely to tell you that your tarts are the best they ever tasted!

Best Ever Flaky Pie Crust Recipe

Making Easy Fruit Pies:

  1. Choose the fruit filling from ingredient recipe below
  2. Roll out your pie dough into 2 rounds – about 1/4 inch thick each
  3. Press one into a pie plate
  4. Toss fruit with all other ingredients together and scrape into pie shell
  5. You can dott the fruit filling with 2 tablespoons of butter if desired
  6. Top with the second pie crust dough, trim, crimp and flute edges
  7. Cut steam vents
  8. Brush with whipping cream or egg yolk beaten with little water
  9. Sprinkle with sugar if desired
  10. Bake on a rack in lower third of your oven at 425F for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 350F and bake until pastry is golden and filling bubbly – about 35-40 minutes

Fruit Pie Fillings:


Apple:

  • 8 cups of thinly sliced peeled apples
  • 1/2 cup of granulated or brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons of flour
  • 2 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons of cinnamon

Cherry:

  • 5 cups of sweet or sour cherries – pitted
  • 1-1/2 cups of granulated sugar (you can reduce sugar to 3/.4 cup for sweet cherries)
  • 1/4 cup of cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract

Peach or Nectarine:

  • 6 cups of peeled, sliced peached or nectarines
  • 3/4 cups of granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg and ginger

Rhubarb:

  • 5 cups of chopped rhubarb
  • 1-1/2 cups of granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup of cornstarch
  • Pinch of salt

Strawberry, Raspberry,Blueberry or Gooseberry:

  • 4 cups of berries
  • 1-1/2 cups of granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
  • pinch of salt

Note: You can mix fruits as well – for example – if you decide to make rhubarb strawberry pie, use the rhubarb fruit filling recipe, reduce rhubarb by about a third and replace with strawberries

It really is this easy to make great old fashioned homemade pies!

Hope you enjoyed this easy guide – I will most certainly appreciate your comments, suggestions and experiences!


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Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie

October 6, 2009 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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pumpkin-pie-2I am finding out that the goodies you want to make sure you have included in your Thanksgiving feast are the traditional ones. And pumpkin pie definitely qualifies! Here is an easy, no fail recipe for you – include it in your festive menu and enjoy!

Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie

1 -1/4 cups pumpkin puree, canned or fresh

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup evaporated milk, undiluted

2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 unbaked pastry shell (9-inch)

  • Combine pumpkin, sugar, salt, spices, and flour in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Add eggs; mix well.
  • Add evaporated milk, water, and vanilla; mix well.
  • Pour into pastry-lined pie pan.
  • Bake at 400° for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350° and bake about 35 minutes longer, or until center is set.

Hope you enjoyed this recipe – please send in your comments, suggestions and experiences – your input is always welcomed!

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Homemade Mint Chip Ice Cream Pie

August 15, 2009 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Not much better than a refreshingly delicious ice cream dessert on a hot summer day! And here is one for you that I personally love making! If you let your imagination go, you can change the ice cream flavour you are using to create almost endless line of delicious and easy to make ice cream pies!

Mint Chip Ice Cream Pie

Mint Chip Ice Cream Pie

Mint Chip Ice Cream Pie:

8 ounces of chopped semi-sweet chocolate, melted

2 cups of crisped rice cereal (such as Rice Crispies)

2 pints of mint ice cream, slightly softened

In a large bowl. combine the chocolate and cereal until the cereal is almost completely coated. Transfer into a 9-inch springform pan.

Press the mixture into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the panFreeze until just firm – about 5-10 minutes.

Spread the ice cream in the prepared crust and freeze, covered, until firm, for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

Serve and enjoy!

Hope you liked this recipe! Please let me know how it turned out for you and send in your comments and suggestions anytime!

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Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies

July 20, 2009 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pie

Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pie

These half-moon pastries have a wonderful homemade look. Don’t worry if they leak juice a little onto the parchment paper – just peel it off and enjoy!

Filling:

1-1/2 cup of quartered, hulled strawberries

2/3 cup of chopped rhubarb

1/3 cup of sugar

4 teaspoons of cornstarch

Sour Cream Pastry:

2-1/2 cups of flour

½ teaspoon of salt

½ cup of butter, cold and cubed

½ cup of cold lard

¼ cup of ice water

3 tablespoons of sour cream

Topping:

1 egg

2 tablespoons of coarse sugar

In a bowl, mix together flour with salt. Using pastry blender, cut in butter and lard, until in fine crumbs with few large pieces. Whisk water with sour cream, drizzle over flour mixture and stir briskly with a fork to form ragged dough. Divide in a half and wrap each with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled – about 30 minutes.

On lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to 1/8 inch thickness. Using 5-1/2 inch round cutter, cut out 12 circles, rerolling scraps once.

In a bowl, combine strawberries, rhubarb, sugar and cornstarch, spoon onto centre of each pastry round. Brush edge of pastry with water, fold over to enclose filling and crimp edges with fork.

Mix egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush over pastry tops. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cut vents in each pie and arrange 2 inches apart on parchment lined baking sheets. Bake at 375 oven until golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool on a rack before serving.

For more strawberry recipes, please check out:

http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/top-5-strawberry-recipes.html

Remember – your comments and suggestions are always welcomed and appreciated!

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Old Fashioned Homemade Peach Streusel Pie

July 14, 2009 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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ttss_peaches-and-creamstreuselpie_01_hThis recipe goes together very easily – and it looks, tastes and smells wonderful! Juicy,succulent peach filling with a buttery pecan crown is baked in a delicious flaky pastry – pure delight and praises are certain!

If you would like to read up on Guide to perfect pastry, see:

http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/guide-to-perfect-pastry.html

For Homemade Flaky Pastry recipe , see:

http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/rich-flaky-pastry.html

Old Fashioned Homemade Peach Streusel Pie:

Prepare your pastry as directed in the Rich Flaky pastry recipe and line your pie plate with it

Topping:

1 cup of flour

1/4 cup of each granulated sugar and brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup of chopped pecans

1/2 cup of unsalted butter

Filling:

8 ripe peaches

1 teaspoon of grated orange peel

3 tablespoons of granulated sugar

3 tablespoons of cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon

Place rack in the lowest position in the oven and preheat the oven to 425F. Place pie shell on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes.

Set on a rack to cool.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl. stir together all topping ingredients, except butter. Cut butter into small cubes and add. Using your hands, work the mixture until just crumbly.

Peel peaches, cut in a half and remove pits. Slice peaches into thin wedges – you should have about 6 cups of wedges – if you don’t, add peaches to make up about 6 cups. Place sliced peaches in a large bowl and sprinkle with orange peel. In a small bowl, use s fork  to stir together sugar with cornstarch and cinnamon. Scatter over peaches and toss until evenly coated. Turn peaches into bakes pie shell. It will be high so mound as best you can. Carefully sprinkle crumble over filling.\Bake on bottom rack at 425F for 10 minutes. Then reduce heat to 350F and bake until filling is hot – about 45-50 more minutes. Check crumble after 20 minutes, if it is brfowning too quickly, cover it with foil.

Once pie is baked, cool on a rack before cutting into wedges to let filling set.

Tip for peeling peaches: Its not always easy to get the skin off fresh peaches. I blanch them to make sure skin comes off easily. Just boil water in a large pot and put peaches in for about 2 minutes. Take them out, cool and you should have no problem getting the skin off.

Hope you enjoy this recipe and that it turns out for you – your comments and suggestions are as always welcomed and appreciated!

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Perfect Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie

July 1, 2009 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Perfect Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie

Perfect Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie

This pie is the ultimate combination of flaky pastry and tangy lemon filling under a light cloud of fluffy meringue. I will tell you – you cannot buy one like the one you will make! Just follow this recipe and you will have to agree that making it yourself is definitely worth it!

For Flaky Pastry Recipe, go to:

http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/rich-flaky-pastry.html


Perfect Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie Filling:

1-1/4 cup of granulated sugar

6 tablespoons of cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 cups of water

4 egg yolks, beaten

1 tablespoons of grated lemon rind

1/2 cup of lemon juice

3 tablespoons of butter

Meringue:

5 egg whites , at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar

1/3 cup of instant dissolving (fruit) sugar

Directions:

Follow the Flaky Pastry recipe to make your crust.

Fit crust into 9-inch pie plate. Trim edges to 1-inch overhang;fold under and flute. Line with foil, fill with pie weights or dried beans, bake in bottom third of 400F oven for about 15 minutes. Remove foil and weights.  Prick shell all over; bake until golden – about 10 minutes. Let cool on the rack.

To make Filling:

In heavy saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt – stir in water. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Whisk one-quarter into egg yolks, whisk into pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring for 2 minutes. Remove form heat. Stir in lemon rind,lemon juice and butter and set aside.

To make Meringue:

In bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff, glossy peaks form.

To put pie together:

Pour into cooled crust, smoothing top. Starting at edge and using spatula, spread meringue around outside of hot filling, sealing to crust to prevent meringue from shrinking. Spread over remaining filling, making attractive peaks with back of a spoon.

Bake in the centre of 400F oven until golden – 5-6 minutes. Let cool on rack until set – about 5 hours.

Hope you enjoy this recipe and I would love to know how it turns out for you – your comments are always greatly appreciated!

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Homemade Ontario Rhubarb Pie

May 15, 2009 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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rhubarb-pieWe always hear about Strawberry-Rhubarb pies, and there are thousands and thousands of recipes for that delicious treat. But here is one you may bot have seen before – I think it is native to Ontario – at least the name suggests that. Most of the time, strawberries are added to bring sweetness and extra flavour to the pie – but – really – try this recipe and I think you will agree that the delicious topping used here more than makes up for the berries!

Homemade Ontario Rhubarb Pie:

Prepare single pie crust (recipe for Homemade Crust is below for your convenience)

Bake your pie crust until golden – remember to puncture a few little holes in it to let it breathe during baking.

Cool your pie crust before filling it

Filling:

2 cups of chopped rhubarb

1 large egg

1-1/2 cups of sugar

1 cup of sour cream

1/3 cup of flour

In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, sugar, sour cream and flour. Put chopped rhubarb into cooled pie crust and pour mixed ingredients over it.

Topping:

1/2 cup of flour

1/2 cup of brown sugar

2-3 tablespoons of melter margarine or butter

Combine ingredients in a small bowl until all mixed evenly and sprinkle over pie prepared with filling.

Bake at 350F for 45-50 minutes or until edges of pie puffed up and the topping is golden. The centre of your pie may still be a little soft – so make sure you cool the pie completely before slicing and serving.

This is great with vanilla ice cream – try it and let me know what you think!

Homemade Pie Crust – Flaky Pastry recipe:

http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/rich-flaky-pastry.html

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Old-fashioned Apple pie

March 8, 2009 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Everyone’s favourite – good old-fashioned apple pie!  Great warm – straight from the oven the aroma alone put smiles on faces. And it keeps very well for quite a while. Serve with a slice of old cheddar or heat up and put a scoop of french vanilla ice cream with it……oh sooooo good!

Old-fashioned Apple Pie

6 cups of thinly sliced apples

6 tablespoons of granulated sugar

6 tablespoons of brown sugar

1/3 cup of flour

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/4 cup of butter

1/2 teaspoon of lemon rind

6 tablespoons of whipping cream

1 rich flaky recipe (find it in my recipe section)

Prepare pastry and line 9″ pie plate, reserving enough for top crust. Core, peel and slice apples. Combine sugars, flour, cinnamon and salt together, then mix with apples. Spread apple mixture into unbaked pie shell. Dot with butter, sprinkle with lemon rind. Pour whipping cream over top, then cover with top pie crust,sealing carefully and making slits to allow steam to escape. Bake in hot oven (450F) for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350F and continue baking 20 -30 minutes or until apples are cooked and pie is golden brown.

Note: Hard green apples will keep their shape better that other varienties of apples.

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