Sunday, February 19, 2012

Blueberry-Sour Cream Pie

      My cousins, Cali and Jeremy, just had a baby girl in November so I rode the train with my great Aunt and great Uncle (Uncle Paul and Aunt Amy) to visit them and the baby, Lucy. We had a bit of an adventure with a small gas leak but they turned off the furnace and we are currently heating the house with the fire place until someone can look at the furnace to fix it on Monday. Cali received cookbook titled Pie by Ken Haedrich for Christmas. The book has 300 recipes. So they are baking every recipe in the book. This weekend Jeremy and I made Blueberry-Sour Cream Pie. Here is the recipe to make this pie :)
Before the pie is cut.

(The recipe says if you have fresh blueberries to squish them into between the cooked blue berries after you put the cooked blueberry mixture into the pie crust "because fresh berries and cooked berries have a divine taste when together" )

Crust
1 Graham Cracker Crumb Crust (we used a regular pie crust that my Aunt Amy made)

Filling
One 1-pound bag individually frozen blueberries (not packed in syrup)
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
A slice of the delicious pie!
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese-Sour Cream Topping
One 8-ounce package full-fat cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish
Handful of fresh blueberries or threads of lemon zest (optional)

1. Prepare the crust and press it into the bottom and up the side of a 9 1/2-inch deep dish pie pan. Refrigerate, prebake, and let cool. if you are using a store-bought crust, prebake as directed on the package and let cool.

2. Combine the frozen blueberries and lemon juice in a medium-size nonreactive saucepan. Cover, and cook over medium to low heat until the blueberries are almost simmering in their own liquid. Mix the granulated sugar and cornstarch together in a small bowl, then stir the mixture into the blueberries. Bring the fruit to a boil, stirring nonstop, for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Scrape the fruit into a shallow bowl and let cook for 15 minutes.

3.  Spoon the partially cooled filling into the cooled pie shell and smooth with a spoon. If you're using fresh berries, scatter them over the fruit and press them into the cooked berries. Refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, make the topping. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese sugars, and lemon zest together in a medium-size bowl until smooth. Add the sour cream and vanilla and blend briefly until smooth. Spoon the filling over the chilled pie and smooth the top with a spoon. Cover with loosely tented aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

5. Just before serving, garnish with the blueberries or lemon zest, if desired.

Then ENJOY!

Tip for success:
When you're spooning the creamy topping over the fruit, take care that all of the topping is in place before you start to smooth it out. That way, you're more likely to avoid dipping the back of your spoon into the fruit filling and smearing blue streaks across the otherwise perfectly white surface. If that does happen and you're bothered by the streaks, you can always crush some vanilla wafers in a food processor or by hand and sprinkle them over the top to hide your booboo. Or you can garnish the pie with fresh berries. :)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love Juice Tutorial

I shared in my last post that I made my little sister's valentines for her classmates. They were so so so so easy that I decided to share with you a "step-by-step". So here it goes! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments. :)
This is my "Love Juice" pouch:

What you will need:
  • hot glue gun
  • red/pink scrap-booking paper
  • scissors
  • ruler
  • Capri-Sun juice pouches
  • Markers
  • stamps, stickers, markers, etc. to make it look festive ;)
First you need to cut your paper to fit the backs of the juice pouches. Mine were 3" x 3 1/2".

Now it's time to make labels! Whoo hoo! Doesn't that sound exciting??? I can assure you its not that bad the first couple of times but after ummm label number five it gets a little old...
My labels were very simple : Love Juice from: Stella
And for beautifulness I stamped a little silver heart on the top left corner. Like so:

So now that we have labels we need to attach them to the juice pouch. Here is where you get to  use the hot glue gun.(It feels like I should point out that hot glue guns are... hot... so if you aren't mature enough to use one ask an adult... PLEASE. Again they are hot. and sticky!) Simply cover the back of the label so it will stick to the juice pouch.
There you have it! A wonderful valentine! Different from the typical sucker attached to a cut out card with a Disney character and a cheesy line (but there's nothing wrong with that;) ) and very simple and easy to make not to mention clever! Get creative and make them more special and make sure to share with us your versions of this project. I, the queen of procrastinating, had to make these the night before valentines day at and started the project at about 7:00 p.m. therefore I didn't get as creative and decorative as I could have!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!!!

Happy Valentines Day!

     I actually personally don't really care for Valentines Day. It is like they are rubbing in my face the fact that I am single by creating a holiday for it. However Valentines Day means waaay more to the kids still in Elementary/Middle school. My sister, Stella, is in 5th grade and attends a small private Catholic School. The same one I went to from Kindergarten to 8th grade. All of the classes have a small classroom party to celebrate Valentines Day. A selection of moms (room moms) from each classroom plan a party for the classes. My mom however is not the crafty type so she usually leaves the Valentines, party treats, and Valentines box to me! This year I made cupcakes and "Love Juice" valentines. I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines day! <3

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Awh so cute... My first blogpost

So this is my first blog post. I guess I should tell you somethings about myself. I am 15 years old. My favorite color is purple. Instead of going out on weekends I surf the internet for new blogs to follow. I love my glue gun. I got a sewing machine for Christmas and was more excited about it  then getting a Wii. I live with my mom and my 11 year old sister. I am a Freshman in High School. I HATE MATH. I am currently averaging a D in math. I don't like the word stupid. I think it limits a person and I believe everyone is capable of doing anything as long as they believe they can do it. My intentions are to keep this a blog with mostly crafting, sewing, and baking tutorials. Thank you whoever read this first post of mine blabbing on and on and on (that tends to happen when I am nervous). You are of the first to help me along. Thank you again :)