Raspberries, Strawberries and Memories

 Raspberries and Strawberries abundant in my garden and while picking them the Memories are also with me.  This recipe is an adaptation from my late son Alix's beautiful Australian (very special friend) Aly.  Our son came 'home' from another of his travelling adventures and he brought Aly with him.  When we first met Aly it was her warm smile and gentle hugs that one first notices, her beauty shines all around her.  Aly had never experienced a 'winter' and Alix had decided that Fort St John, British Columbia was the perfect place to experience 'a bit of snow'.  They were at our place through the Christmas season and a year of very cold temperatures and of course beautiful white fluffy snow.  Such a wonderful visit and I believe Aly loved her 'snow adventures'.  Aly had talked about her Peach Custard Pie recipe while we enjoyed dessert at Christmas dinner that year and I had asked her for the recipe. She sent it to me a few months later so that I can make it for my family.  Thank you Aly for coming into Alix's life and heart and also for giving us the chance to meet such a beautiful soul. This post is for you and all of our memories.....forever.

 

Raspberry Custard 'Pies'

 

The ingredients you will need.

The coconut butter is cut into the flour and salt, water waiting to be added to form the dough.

Pastry dough is rolled out and cut to fit my large muffin tins.

Raspberries and strawberries are layered over pastry.

Custard filling is mixed and poured over the berries.

Ready for baking and then topping with streusel.

 

 

 

Raspberry & Strawberry Custard Pie Recipe

 

1 pastry crust (see recipe below)

1-2 cups fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries

Arrange a layer of raspberries or strawberries in on top of the crust in each muffin tin

In a separate bowl, mix:

2/3 cups sour cream or Greek yogurt

3 egg yolks

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

few drops almond flavoring

Pour custard filling gently over berries.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

While pies are baking mix up the streusel topping.

1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Cut butter into the flour, sugar and cinnamon or mix with fingers until crumbly.

Remove pies from oven when timer goes off and sprinkle an even layer over each custard filled pie.

Bake again for another 15 minutes (until lightly browned)

Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

 

Single Pie Pastry Dough Recipe

1 1/3 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup  coconut butter or shortening

3-6 Tablespoons very cold water

Mix dry ingredients then cut in coconut butter or shortening until dough is crumbly.

Sprinkle with 3 Tablespoons of cold water and mix with a fork until dough comes together.  Add more water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed.

Roll out dough to 1/8 inch thick and cut into circles with cookie cutter or glass the size to fit large muffin tins. (for this mini pie recipe)

 

 'Love and spiritual values received from parents are the strongest assets for a child to face the various trials of adulthood.'
-Amma

 

Cheesy Zucchini Joes

Zucchini, a very versatile vegetable.....good in burgers, cakes, cookies and of course 'Joes'.

If you planted zucchini this year, you will have to make some Cheesy Zucchini Joes. I am very happy to be able to grow zucchini now, for many, many years I planted them but they did not want to grow for me.  I was very fortunate to have many friends who could grow them and were so very happy to 'share' as many as I needed!  A few years ago I came across the original recipe and quickly adapted it to my family's tastes and it has continued to be another favorite.

  Great for picnics, potlucks and just a tasty lunch or dinner.

Full of goodness and is easy to double or even triple for that large gathering of family, friends or neighbors.  I serve mine on homemade multi-grain sub buns but any bun will do.

 

Cheesy Zucchini Joes

 

 

The ingredients you will need....adding mushroom too



Zucchini, mushrooms, garlic and onions....all sliced, diced and minced

 

Garlic, onions and mushrooms sautéed in butter ....smells heavenly in here.

 

The zucchini is added along with the herbs and spices

Adding tomato sauce to the vegetable mixture.

My homemade multi grain sub buns, sliced and waiting for the topping.

 



Zucchini Joes added and sprinkled with mozzarella cheese.

The Zucchini Joe is all wrapped and bundled and ready to be put in the oven.

 

 

 

Mmmmmm.......so delicious.....enjoy!

 

 

Here is my recipe, as I continue to create I added a few more ingredients

than the photo above shows.  Once I open my fridge and see some wonderful ingredients

things just happen to fall into place.  This recipe reflects the 'Joes' we had for dinner tonight.

 

 

ZUCCHINI JOES RECIPE

 

 2 Tablespoons butter
2 medium zucchini, sliced (1/8 a 1/4 inch thick)
1 medium onion, sliced thinly
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2-3 cloves garlic, minced or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup roasted red pepper, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, (in oil) chopped
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1-2 teaspoons dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce
1-2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
4, 6 inch submarine buns, split

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter in skillet over medium heat.
Sauté the onions, garlic approximately 5-7 minutes then add the chopped mushrooms and zucchini. Sauté another 4 minutes them add the tomato sauce, seasonings and herbs. Let simmer for another 5-7 minutes adding salt and pepper to taste.
Slice your buns, place onto either foil or parchment paper and making sure each sand which has it's own separate foil or parchment 'wrap'.
Spoon zucchini mixture onto the bottom halves of the buns, sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese over top, cover with the top of the buns and wrap up tightly. Place onto a cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until everything is heated through and cheese is melted.
This recipe serves 4 but is easily doubled.
Feel free to add your own herbs, spices that you and your family enjoy.

 

'My Church is the ocean, my sky is this stained- glass view and my offering is......

this open hand I'm holding out to you.

                                                                                                                             Alex Woodward