Pear Empanadas(Turnovers)

Pears are often overlooked when it comes to baking. Apples, peaches, blueberries, and other fruits generally top the list when making a pie or any other pastry. In most cases, the only time a pear will be used as a dessert is when it’s poached. Why should a pear be destined to this one dimensional dessert existence?

As I paged through my cookbooks I found countless poached pear recipes. Since I couldn’t find a recipe for pears that wasn’t poached, I took matters into my own hands. I found and modified a recipe that called for apples and instead used the lovely and sometimes forgotten pear. 

Compared to it’s apple counterpart the pear is more subtle in flavor. With other fruit pastries you are hit with the tart and bold flavors of the fruit. This is not the case with the pear. It’s flavor is soft and delicate with a burst of sweetness.

I used Bartlett Pears for this recipe but you can use any kind of pear. Keep in mind that some pears have more or less juice so you may have to modify the amount of liquid used in the filling portion of the recipe depending on which variety of pear you use.

I encourage you to try pears in your next dessert or try this recipe, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Pear Empanadas

Ingredients

Crust

1 cup all purpose flour

1/4  teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder

½ cup hot milk

¼ cup vegetable shortening

Filling

1 1/2 cups of fresh pears(diced)

1/3 cup of water

1/3 cup of apple cider

¼ cup of brown sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon of cornstarch

Remaining Ingredients

Cooking Spray

1 large egg white

1 tablespoon of water

1 ½ teaspoons of sugar

1.   To prepare crust, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, level with a knife. Combine flour, salt, and baking powder, stirring with a whisk. Combine milk and shortening in a large bowl, stirring until the shortening dissolves. Gradually add flour mixture to milk mixture, tossing with a fork just until blended. Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Knead into a ball (dough will feel sticky). Cover and chill at least 2 hours.

2.   To prepare filling, combine diced pears, 1/3 cup of water, 1/3 cup of apple cider in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium-heat. Cover; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and cornstarch. Then bring to a boil once again, remove from heat once the filling as thickened. Let it cool to room temperature.

3.   Preheat oven to 450F degrees

4.   Divide dough into 8 equal portions. Working with one dough portion at a time(cover remaining portions to prevent drying), roll into a 6 inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling onto half of circle, moisten edges of dough with water. Fold dough over filling, press edges together with a fork and seal. Place empanadas on baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Combine egg white and 1 tablespoon water, stirring with a whisk, brush over empanadas. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 450F for 12 minutes or until golden. Place on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This recipe was selected but modified from All New Cooking Light Cookbook(2006)

The Mating Game (1959)

This romantic comedy from the late fifties is packed full of laughs. I think even those that aren’t into classic movies would find this movie very entertaining.

It is based on the book, The Darling Buds of May by H.E. Bates. While the book is based in the countryside of England the movie is set on a family  farm in Maryland. 

The farm is run by “Pop” and “Ma” Larkin and their five children. Pop Larkin is being investigated by Lorenzo Charlton (Tony Randall) because he hasn’t paid his taxes in 20 years. When Lorenzo arrives on the farm he meets the farmer’s daughter, Mariette(Debbie Reynolds) and the rest of the family he realizes he has got himself into more than just another tax investigation.

There is a hilarious scene where Lorenzo gets a little more than tipsy after he drinks too many “Laughing Hyenas” that Pop Larkin has prepared for him. The moments shared between the family members are both heart warming and funny. This is truly a feel good movie.

                                          

Honey Cake

Following my last post about honey and skin care, I thought I’d use honey in the way most of us use it, to sweeten our food.  I just got a new Bundt baking pan and I found this Honey Cake recipe which called for the use of none other than a Bundt baking pan. Perfect!

I got this recipe from The Weight Watcher’s New Complete Cookbook. I like cooking out of diet and nutrition cookbooks because they offer a new way to still indulge in my favorite foods but with healthy twist.

The main sweetener in this cake is honey, while there is a little sugar, it is much less than would be found in a traditional cake. Also, orange and lemon zest make this cake pop with bright flavors.

Honey Cake

Ingredients

3 large eggs

1 cup honey

2/3 cup orange juice

¼ cup sugar

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 tablespoon grated orange zest

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking soda

¾ cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

1.   Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with nonstick spray, then dust lightly with flour.

2.   In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Whisk in the honey, orange and lemon zest, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add the flour mixture to the honey mixture and stir until just combined. Pour the batter into the pan.

3.   Bake in the lower third of the oven until the center of the cake is firm when pressed, and the cake tester comes out free of crumbs, 50-55 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

4.   Lightly dust the cake with powder sugar before serving

Recipe Selected from Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook (2007)

Honey, Honey!

Honey is more than a little bit of sweetness for your tea, toast, or yogurt. It can also be a part of your skin care routine and help you have beautiful looking skin.

Honey has antibacterial properties and is rich with antioxidants. Honey also is known to be an humectant which helps the skin retain and regain moisture. Apart from all these wonderful benefits honey is very gentle even on sensitive skin.

Below are a few ways I incorporate honey into my skin care routine:

Honey Face Wash   

This face wash is great to use one or two times a week to help your skin relax and rejuvenate in between your normal skin care routine. You can even use this face wash daily as a cleanser, but keep in mind that it will not remove makeup or sunscreen it’s best to use it in the morning and will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean. 

         

                                                                        

Ingredients

Honey

Warm Water

Simply pour a quarter size amount of honey on your finger tips and run your fingers under some warm water. The warm water will heat the honey slightly making it easier to place on your skin. Using your finger tips work the honey and water into your skin in a small circular motion. Then rinse off with warm water. Don’t worry about it getting into your hair a little warm water will take it right out.  At first, I thought it would be a sticky mess but it wasn’t sticky and it leaves my skin feeling great.

*For variety you can use warm chamomile tea or milk in place of the water. 

Honey Oatmeal Mask

Using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry this mask is a wonderful way to give yourself an at home facial. The oatmeal adds more moisture and helps calm the skin. I try to use this mask at least once a week. To help speed up the prep time you can ground large amounts of oatmeal and keep it in a sealed container so it’s ready for you to use anytime.

Ingredients

¼ cup of ground Oatmeal

1 tablespoon of Honey

Warm water

Use a blender, food processor, or coffee grinder to grind the oatmeal until it’s the consistency of a powder. Then in a bowl combine the honey, water, and oatmeal until it turns into a thick paste. Then apply it to your face by patting the paste gently. Make sure your do this over the sink because some might fall off your hands or face while you are applying it.  Then leave it on your face for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove with warm water and a cloth.

 I hope these two honey beauty tips will find they’re way into your skin care routine. Honey is the natural, inexpensive, and easy way to make your skin radiant.

Next Post….Honey Cake, Yum!