Looking to impress your Thanksgiving guests? Check out these delectable recipes from Joy Monnerjahn, the culinary mastermind behind The Bayou Belle (purejoy@purejoyliving.net).
APPLE CRUMBLE PIE
INGREDIENTS:
- Store-bought pie crust
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2.5 apples, peeled and thinly sliced
TOPPING:
- 1 stick of cold butter
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
DIRECTIONS:
- Set your oven rack to the lowest position and heat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with foil.
- In a food processor or with a hand pastry cutter, cut the butter, flour, sugar and cinnamon until you get a mixture of large and small pea-sized clumps. I like mine more on the small side.
- Refrigerate the mixture until ready to use.
- In a large bowl, toss the apples, ginger, cinnamon, salt, sugar and flour until well coated.
- Transfer the apple mixture to the crust, then sprinkle it with the crumb topping.
- Bake until the top is golden and the apples are tender — about 50-60 minutes.
- Serve warm or room temperature
EASY BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni noodles
- Half a stick of butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- About four cups heavy cream
- About four large eggs. I use one egg per cup of heavy cream, so if you need more liquid in your pan, let that be your guide.
DIRECTIONS:
- Boil the macaroni noodles according to the package instructions.
- When the noodles are done, strain them in a colander, put the butter on top and stir them around.
- Spray your baking dish (I use a 13-by-15 pan).
- Lay out a layer of noodles to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Sprinkle the salt and pepper on top of the layer of noodles.
- Lay out a hefty layer of cheddar, then sprinkle mozzarella on top as well.
- Lay another layer of noodles on top of the cheese.
- Repeat with salt and pepper.
- Repeat with another layer of cheeses.
- In a separate bowl, mix the eggs and then add the heavy cream.
- Pour mixture on top of the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish. It should almost cover your noodles but sit right below.
- Bake on 350 for 45 minutes or until done.