Tasty Tuesday: American Pie

YIELDS: 8     PREP TIME: 30 minutes      COOK TIME:50 minutes 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 refrigerated pie crusts (unbaked)
• 5 c. strawberries
• 3 c. blueberries
• 1/2 c. cornstarch, divided
• 3/4 c. sugar, divided (plus more for sprinkling)
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)
• egg wash (1 egg + 1 tbs. heavy cream)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Make the base. Roll out the base of the pie dough into a large rectangle, about 15 x 12-in. Transfer the dough into a 12 x 9 x 1-in baking sheet or jellyroll pan. Gently press the dough along the edges. Fold the edges under and crimp. Transfer to refrigerator while you prepare the other crust.
3. Make the stars and stripes. Roll out a second piece of pie dough. Use about 1/4 of the dough to cut out stars with a small star cookie cutter. Using a paring knife (or pastry wheel), cut long 1-in thick stripes lengthwise using the rest of the dough. Refrigerate until ready to use.
4. Make the fillings. In a medium bowl, add blueberries, 1/4 c. sugar, 1/4 c. cornstarch and the juice and zest of 1/2 lemon. Stir to combine. In a separate bowl, add strawberries, 1/2 c. sugar, 1/4 c. cornstarch and the juice and zest of 1/2 lemon. Stir to combine.
5. Make the pie. Fold aluminum foil into a thin strip, about 1 1/2-in wide. Then fold the strip into a right angle about 5×4-in. Remove the base crust from the refrigerator and place the foil into the upper lefthand corner of the crust to form a small rectangle. Spoon the blueberry filling into the foil-lined rectangular portion. Then spoon the strawberry filling into the rest of the crust. Remove the foil.
6. Assemble and bake! Then place pastry stars on top of the blueberry mixture. Lay the stripes lengthwise across the strawberry filling, leaving about 1-in between each stripe. Brush the egg wash onto the pie crusts and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 50 minutes, until pie crust is golden and the filling is bubbling. Let cool for at least an hour before serving.

Taking this AMAZING pie to a tailgating party or a barbeque?  Why  not use Thirty One’s Perfect Party Set to get it there safely?  The Perfect Party Set expands to hold two 9” x 13” casserole pans inside 2 interior water-resistant thermal compartments. Handle grips make it easy to carry, while the exterior zipper pocket can keep additional items like utensils, baking instructions and additional ingredients secure during transport. It’s the most convenient way to take your favorite casseroles, desserts, appetizers and more to your next family picnic, neighborhood cookout, celebration or camping trip!

Have a favorite recipe you want to share?  Send it to me and if we use it, you will receive a FREE gift from me.

Have a blessed day!

Tasty Tuesday: Beefy American Goulash

Thank you EMILY BITES for this yummy recipe….

This one-pot Beefy American Goulash goes by many names.  This is a much better alternative than “hamburger helper”! No matter what you call it, there’s no denying  this is classic comfort food.   Meaty, saucy and full of juicy tomatoes and hearty macaroni, this savory dish comes together simply and all in one pot (yay, less dishes!). This recipe makes a little over 15 cups total, so each satisfying serving is almost 2 cups! That’s a lot of comfort for just 379 calories or 8 Weight Watchers SmartPoints.

This is great just the way it is and PLEASE  don’t omit the soy sauce, paprika or seasoned salt – they’re necessary for the flavor!  Some people add bell peppers or cheese (yuk) or any other kind of veggie.

Nutrition Information:  379 calories, 49 g carbs, 10 g sugars, 7 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 33 g protein, 5 g fiber.  Makes:  8 (2 cups) servings . WWSP: 8

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs uncooked 95% lean ground beef (I used ground turkey)
2 medium yellow onions, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups water
2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
3 bay leaves
3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (I used gluten free)
1 tablespoons seasoned salt
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
12 oz uncooked elbow macaroni (I used gluten free)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place the ground beef in a large dutch oven and bring over medium heat. Cook, breaking up with a spoon or spatula, until the meat is browned and in small pieces. Drain the grease from the pan.
2. Add the onions and garlic and stir together. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until onions are translucent.
3. Add the water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, soy sauce, seasoned salt, paprika and black pepper and stir together.
4. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Cover the pot and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
5. Add the macaroni and stir until well combined. Re-cover the pot and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the macaroni is cooked through.
6. Remove from heat, stir and remove the bay leaves.
7. Allow to sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Have leftovers?  Why not take them to work with you the next day?  Why not try Thirty One’s NEW Lunch Break Thermal Ltd?   I know the LunchBreak Thermal is NOT new but this style is…. You can elevate your style with one of our popular lunch thermals in sophisticated fabrics and finishes. Perfectly sized and styled for packing lunch and snacks for work or travel, our roomy insulated cooler bag has a water-resistant thermal lining, zipper closure, extended handle for ease of carrying and chic cotton fabrics. I love the feather personalization because it reminds me of angel wings….  What would your lunch tote say?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

CELEBRATE Small Business Saturday

Today is Small Business Saturday…  I have been a small business owner for more years than I can count.  I started as a crafter dreaming of having a full-time business.  Fear always kept me from making the complete transition.  First it was “preemie baby clothes”, then American Girl Doll Clothes.

I was blessed when Belinda was in high school to have a home-based consulting business working with various local non-profit agencies.  A dream come true where I made my own hours, stayed home during bad weather while working with a variety of  AMAZING agencies who provided services to disadvantaged populations.  I LOVED my job but the stress of bidding for contracts always put a damper on things.

For the last 5 plus years, I have been working my Thirty One Gifts – rather inconsistently, if I was 100% honest .  2017 is the YEAR!  Yup, I am #JUMPING…

I am going to DREAM BIG and reach for the stars while continuing to grow my business.  I have seen the potential of building my business with Thirty One for a long time BUT fear always crept in.  As I put together my vision of “bringing a smile and hope to those who are struggling, reminding them they are special and worthy” it is all coming together.  Yes, there have been months filled with struggles of booking parties and reaching my goals.  Yes, there have been months I am overwhelmed by the amount of new recruits joining our Rays of Hope Team family. Through it all, I would not trade it for anything – having my own business.  I am  blessed with a husband who loves me unconditionally and supports my dreams.   AMAZING friends and family who continue to support me on my journey and give me the support I need each and every day.  Words can not express how grateful I am for my customers, my hostess and those who continue refer me to host parties for their friends and family.

In 2017, I will combine my Rays of Hope – Angel Connection and my Thirty One business to continue to make a difference in the lives of others.  To bring smiles to those who are struggling.  To celebrate momentous occasions.  To silently pray for all those who I meet in the hopes I will be able to #impactasoul.  Watch for things to come….

I encourage you to shop locally, support those small businesses in your community as well as those who you know in direct sales.  It is with your support and purchases, these business owners are able to re-invest in their own communities.

Share your favorite SMALL business with us.  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!