Cranberry Hand Pies

Cranberry Hand Pies

Ingredients

For the Pastry
2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tbsp granulated sugar
½ tsp salt
20 tbsp cold unsalted butter, preferably a high-fat, European-style butter, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4-6 tbsp ice cold water
Filling and Assembly
1 lb fresh cranberries
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp corn starch or instant tapioca
1 egg, beaten
coarse sanding sugar for topping

Directions

For the Crust

Pie crust: In a food processor, briefly pulse together the flour, sugar and salt. Add the butter and pulse until mixture forms chickpea-size pieces (3 to 5 one-second pulses). Be sure the butter is cold at this step. Add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse until mixture is just moist enough to hold together. You should be able to pinch it & it stays together.

Form dough into two balls, wrap with plastic and flatten into disks. Refrigerate at least 1 hour to 24 hours before rolling out and baking.

For the filling

Combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, vanilla and starch in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a simmer. Cook another 6 minutes, some cranberries will burst and mixture will start to thicken. Transfer the cranberries to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Sauce will thicken as it cools. DO AHEAD: You can make this filling up to 5 days ahead of when you want to use it.

Assembly

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit with the racks in the middle. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Remove the dough from the refrigerator & let it sit out a few minutes until just pliable. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk into 1/8 inch thickness. Punch out heart or round shapes I used a 4 inch heart cookie cutter.

Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of the cranberry mixture onto the middle of a dough heart. Wet the rim of the disk with some egg wash Place another heart on top. Crimp the edges with a fork or your fingers. Continue with the rest of the dough and filling. Place shapes on 2 cookie sheets. Refrigerate pies for 45 minutes.
You will likely have filling left over, it’s great on pancakes or mixed into oatmeal.

Remove pastry With a sharp knife, make a X on the top to vent. Brush on egg wash and dust with some sugar.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner or parchment paper.

Place the peanut butter, sugar and egg in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on medium speed with the paddle attachment until well combine.

Make small balls (about 1 1/2 inches) with your hands and evenly space apart on the baking sheet. Using the back of a fork make a criss- cross pattern on each cookie.

Bake for 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Spinach Ricotta Gnocchi

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Scones

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Farro Salad with Baby Spinach, Peas & Toasted Pecans

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Vegetarian Black Bean Tostadas

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Skinny Chickpeas with Tikka Masala Sauce

Skip the Indian restaurant, you can make this delicious recipe any time you are craving a vegetarian Tikka Masala.

Ingredients

2 tbsp canola oil or unsalted butter
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes (from a can)
1 cup light coconut milk
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp tumeric
2 tsp chili powder
juice from 1/2 lemon (1 tbsp)
salt and pepper to taste
1 (15 ounce can) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
freshly chopped cilantro for garnish
basmati rice or naan for serving

Directions

Heat the oil or butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 3 minutes, add the ginger, cook another 3 minutes until onions are golden brown. Add the garlic, cook another minute then add the tomatoes, coconut milk, spices and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook about 10 minutes, stirring well. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper to your liking.

At this point you can puree the sauce in a food processor or blender…or not. Just depends if you prefer a silky smooth sauce. If you pureed it, return the sauce to the skillet. Add in the chickpeas and heat over medium heat until simmering.

Top with fresh cilantro & serve immediately with rice of naan.

~ Marla Meridith

Decadent Flourless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Olive Oil Oven Roasted Leeks

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Avgolemono Soup (Greek Egg, Lemon & Chicken Soup)

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Lamb Kofta Tacos

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith