Ingredient: Eggs

Calzone (a.k.a. Easter Pie)

Easter is a time for re-birth and new beginnings. Spring is here for the most part and life begins to move outdoors…finally. When I was growing up, Easter was a special time that was steeped in religious as well as food traditions. Lent ended and with it all the fasting, abstaining and giving things up. To say there was a food frenzy may be a bit of an overstatement, but it was definitely a time for enjoying eating.DIGITAL CAMERA

I loved the Calzone.  We sometimes called it Easter Pie and it was baked on Holy Saturday, not to be eaten until after Easter Sunday mass. It was filled with ricotta and sausage, with egg in every delicious bite. My mother and my aunt both made it and I couldn’t wait for Easter morning to have it. If I timed it right, I could have my mom’s and then go upstairs and have my aunt’s, too. They each had their own version, my aunt’s often having ham and hard-boiled eggs in it.

This is my mother’s recipe.  She would make it every Easter. If I was lucky, I’d have it again at Christmas when her side of the family served it as Egg Pie. Whenever it was made, it was one of the most satisfying dishes I’ve ever had.

Calzone (a.k.a. Easter Pie)
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Servings
8
Servings
8
Calzone (a.k.a. Easter Pie)
Print Recipe
Servings
8
Servings
8
Ingredients
Crust
Filling
Servings:
Instructions
  1. To make the Crust: Sift the dry ingredients together cut in shortening or butter, blending well.
  2. Beat the egg and 2 tablespoons of milk together and add to the dough mixture. Blend well. turn onto a floured surface and knead for one minute. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes or so.
  3. To make the filling: Cook the sausage and drain on paper towel. Allow to cool. Place the ricotta in a large bowl. Add the beaten eggs, cheese, parsley, and cooled sausage. Stir to gently blend.
  4. Divide dough in half. Roll one half out on floured surface. roll to an even thickness that will fit in a 9 inch pie pan with some overlap. Place in glass pie pan that has been lightly greased.
  5. Spoon the filling into the crust. Roll out the second half of the crust and fit it over the top. Crimp edges to seal well. cut several slashes in the crust.
  6. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes. Brush top with beaten egg yolk about 15 minutes before pie is done. crust should be golden brown. remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Serve for Easter breakfast or any time you'd like.
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Stir Fried Quinoa with Chicken

Stir Fried Quinoa with Chicken
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The flavors of Asian Fried Rice, but made with Quinoa. All the flavor and many more nutrients.
Servings
3
Servings
3
Stir Fried Quinoa with Chicken
Print Recipe
The flavors of Asian Fried Rice, but made with Quinoa. All the flavor and many more nutrients.
Servings
3
Servings
3
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Bring the water to a boil. add the quinoa and cover. Reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
  2. Heat oven to 300 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the quinoa on the paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring half way through. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  3. Heat a non-stick wok over medium heat. Coat the pan with non-stick cooking spray. Add the chicken pieces and 1/2 teaspoon of the Five Spice Powder. Toss and cook for 3 minutes. The chicken should be barely browned. Remove to a plate and set aside.
  4. Lightly beat the eggs and add to the hot wok. Turn pan to create a thin layer. Cook until light golden brown turning once. remove from pan and allow to cool. Cut into thin strips and set aside.
  5. Add the broccoli, peppers, broccoli to the wok. Add several tablespoons of the chicken broth. Toss and cook until the vegetables soften slightly. Add more broth as needed to prevent burning. Remove from pan and set aside.
  6. Add the canola oil an allow it to get hot. Add the garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes to the oil. Cook and stir until the ingredients are fragrant. 3 - 5 minutes.
  7. Add the quinoa to the pan and toss to mix all the ingredients together. Cook, tossing to allow the quinoa to brown. This should take 5 - 7 minutes. Add chicken broth a little at a time to keep everything from burning.
  8. Add the chicken and vegetables to the pan and toss. Continue cooking and tossing until everything is heated through.
  9. Mix the soy sauce, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, and the remaining Five Spice Powder together in a small bowl. Add several tablespoons of chicken broth. Pour over the mixture in the pan and toss to mix.
  10. Serve topped with the egg strips and the sliced green onions.
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Ricotta and Spinach Lasagna Filling

Ricotta and Spinach Lasagna Filling
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Ricotta and Spinach Lasagna Filling
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Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Heat the olive oil in a medium fry pan. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted 3 - 4 minutes or so. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  2. Spoon the ricotta into a medium mixing bowl. Lightly beat the eggs and stir into the ricotta. Add the cheese and pepper and stir again.
  3. Add the spinach and garlic mixture to the bowl and stir to combine well. Taste and add salt if needed.
  4. Use in lasagna, as ravioli filling or to stuff shells or manicotti.
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Apricot Almond Bars

DIGITAL CAMERAFor a tasty fruit dessert any time of the year, combine dried apricots and almonds with light brown sugar and eggs. Bake it atop a sweet pastry crust and cut it into bars as big as you dare. This is so easy and so incredibly good, that it will become your go to all occasion cookie bar.

 

Apricot Almond Bars
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Servings
16
Servings
16
Apricot Almond Bars
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Servings
16
Servings
16
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Combine the apricot pieces and water in small pan. Simmer covered for ten minutes until plumped and tender. Drain and set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 X 9 baking pan. Combine sugar and butter until blended. Gradually add one cup of the flour stirring until a soft crumbly dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake 25 minutes or until light golden. Remove from oven.
  3. Mix the remaining flour, salt, and baking powder in a small bowl. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs and brown sugar until they are thick and light colored. Stir in the extracts, blending well. Slowly add the flour mixture. Add the almonds and apricots, blending well.
  4. Pour the mixture onto the baked crust. Smooth evenly with a spatula. Return the pan to the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes more. Top should be deep golden brown and feel springy.
  5. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into 16 squares.
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Marble Pound Cake

Marble Pound Cake
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A classic recipe for "bundt cake". Easy to make and adapt for limitless variations. oh, and it's really tasty.
Servings
12 Servings
Servings
12 Servings
Marble Pound Cake
Print Recipe
A classic recipe for "bundt cake". Easy to make and adapt for limitless variations. oh, and it's really tasty.
Servings
12 Servings
Servings
12 Servings
Ingredients
Servings: Servings
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the mixes, oil, water, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Reserve the chocolate cake mix packet for later.
  2. Using a hand mixer, combine the ingredients at low speed until just blended.
  3. With mixer on medium high, blend for 2 - 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy and all the lumps are gone.
  4. Remove one cup of the batter and put in a small bowl. Add the contents of the chocolate packet and stir to completely incorporate.
  5. Prepare pan(s). Spray evenly with cooking spray. Sprinkle approximately 1 tablespoon of flour into each pan and tilt and shake to lightly cover the bottom and sides. Tap out any excess.
  6. Divide the vanilla batter between the two pans. If using the bundt pan pour all of the vanilla batter into the pan and shake and tap to distribute evenly.
  7. Spoon the chocolate batter on top of the vanilla batter. Divide the batter if using two loaf pans or use all of it in the bundt pan.
  8. Using a butter knife, swirl the two batters together, Using vertical and horizontal movements and reaching to the bottom of the pan(s).
  9. Bake for 45 - 50 minutes for loaf pans or 50- 60 minutes for bundt pan. Cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  10. Remove from oven and cool in pans on wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completed on rack.
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