Monday, January 28, 2013

Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese Sandwiches


If you like hot artichoke & spinach dip you are going to LOVE this one!! The best part is you can make the filling ahead of time and store it covered in the fridge until you are ready to make dinner...WINNER WINNER Grilled Cheese Dinner!!
Fresh spinach - about 3 cups
1 can artichoke hearts; drained really well & rough chopped(not marinated)
2 cloves garlic; minced
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tbsp parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup cream cheese softened

1/4 cup mayonnaise

 Salt & pepper to taste
  
In a medium saucepan saute garlic in olive oil for about 2 minutes, add spinach  and saute until spinach  is wilted. Season with a little salt & pepper. Remove from heat & set aside. In a medium bowl combine cream cheese, mayo, mozzarella, parmesan, & chopped artichokes. Taste filling for seasoning. Add in your wilted spinach & garlic, stir to combine. Using your favorite kind of bread, fill with about 2-3 tbsp of the filling, butter the outer pieces of your bread and toast over a skillet till nice and golden brown & cheese is melted to an ooey gooey goodness!
 

Apple Crumb Pie



I have REALLY been slacking on posting since the holidays but today I've got a special treat that will hopefully make up for it...WARM APPLE PIE. YUMM!!! It's super easy too with only a single bottom crust and a buttery crumbly goodness for the topping... Oh me oh my!!

Pastry for a single crust pie; 9 in- recipe at the bottom for the best pie crust! 
6 cups tart apples diced- you can slice them thinly if you prefer, I like mine diced small
2 tbsp. butter; melted
2 tbsp sour cream
1 tbsp + 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
 1 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Crumb Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sgar
1/4 cup cold butter

In a large bowl combine the first 6 ingredients & toss gently to coat the apples. Pour into a prepared pie crust; set aside while you prepare topping.
In a small mixing bowl, combine cold butter, flour, & sugar. Cut the cold butter into flour/sugar until you get a pea like consistency. Pour crumb topping over apple filling. Bake @ 375 degrees for about 45-50 minutes or until light golden & bubbly. Cool for about and hour or longer. I prefer it at room temperature. ENJOY!!!

  Pie Crust Recipe
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chilled butter cut up in cubes (1/2 cup butter flavored shortening works well too)
 1/4 tsp salt
 1/4-1/3 cup tepid water
 2 tsp white vinegar