Two Yummy Recipes...Apple Pie and Potato Bake

The first recipe is my family's absolute favorite. They would eat homemade apple pie everyday if they could. During this season, I do make it a lot, that's why I use the boxed crust. Don't boo me for this...I've tried homemade. The box is just so much quicker.
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Here's my apple pie recipe for you to try...
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APPLE PIE

• 3 pounds apples (I love Macoun, Gala or Braeburn) peeled and sliced
• 1 cup white, granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoon water
• 2 pie crusts (try the box!!)
• a little extra white sugar to sprinkle on top crust

Bake at 425 for the first 15 minutes, then drop the temperature down to 350 for 35-45 minutes (maybe longer). I always go by the texture of the apples inside, not the color of the crust. My family like the apples really cooked. I usually stick a knife into the vent hole on the top crust. If the apple doesn't feel tender, I cook it longer. If the crust is browning too much, I cover it with foil until the apples are done.

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In a small bowl, mix the 1 cup sugar with the 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 tablespoons flour.
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Layer the sugar mixture with the sliced apples.
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Stir to coat all apples.

Place bottom crust in pie plate and fill with sugared apples. Dot with the teaspoon of butter. Why the butter...I don't know. My mom always did, it's butter so you can't go wrong and she is looking down on us from above, so you'd better just do it!!
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Cover apples with top crust and seal the 2 crust together by pinching the edges. In a small bowl, mix egg yolk with 2 teaspoons of water.
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Whisk egg mixture to make an egg wash for the top crust.
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Use a pastry brush or just use your fingers to coat the entire top crust with the wash. Just a light coat...sprinkle with white sugar all over the top. This gives you a golden, sweet, crunchy top.
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Don't forget to use a knife to cut vent holes to let out the steam. I've always used the letter "H" for every pie I've ever made. It's my husband nickname.
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and here you have it...a delicious apple pie just waiting for a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

spacespaceThe next recipe is called Potato Bake and is another family favorite. I do make it for our regular dinners, but when we have my side and my husband's side of the family over, I double this recipe...and every bit of it goes.
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Potato Bake

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• One 2 lb. bag frozen Ore-Ida hash browns (the cubed kind) thawed
• 12 oz sour cream (about 3/4 of a 16 oz. container)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese ( 8 oz bag is 2 cups)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup (DO NOT DILUTE)
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1/2 cup chopped onion, optional (great with or without)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• dash of black pepper

Topping mixture:

• Plain corn flakes, crushed (sprinkle as much as you'd like to cover the top)
• 1/2 stick melted butter

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients except the topping mixture. Spoon into greased casserole dish. Top with crushed corn flakes and drizzle with the 1/2 stick melted butter. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until golden in color and bubbly.

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one whole stick of melted butter in the main mixture and 1/2 stick is melted and drizzled on top.

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This is just the melted butter...took the picture, not sure why?!?

Mix all of the main ingredients in a large bowl to incorporate it well.

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Spoon into greased casserole.

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Top with the crushed corn flakes and melted butter. Bake and enjoy.

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I am so mad I didn't get a picture of it when it came out of the oven and before it went to the table. You really wouldn't want to see it when it came back from the table...it was an empty mess. Proof positive it was delicious!!
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Hope you can try these 2 family favorites if not now, maybe over the upcoming holidays.

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Happy cooking,

~Karen~

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ps...I did very well on my "To Do" list today...you would be very proud of me.