Granini's Dutch Apple Pie

Granini's Dutch Apple Pie

with homemade caramel sauce

GranNini's Dutch Apple Pie

Ingredients:

Apple Innards:

12 sweet apples, peeled and sliced

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups sugar

4 Tablespoons flour

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Crumble Topping

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup oatmeal, ground to a powder (I put my oatmeal in a blender to grind it.  Works great.)

1 cup butter

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped into small pieces

Unbaked Pie Shell

1/2 cup (8 Tablespoons) Crisco or butter

3/4 teaspoons salt

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup ice water

Homemade Caramel Sauce

1. In a large microwaveable bowl, add in all the ingredients.  
2. After all the ingredients have been added, carefully stir together until all the slices of apples have been coated with cinnamon sugar goodness.
3. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook for 10 minutes on high.  
4. Stir completely, then microwave for another 10 minutes.  (Yes, 20 minutes in the microwave!)
5. When the apples are finished, stir them completely and let them sit while you prepare the pie crust and the topping.
6. Preheat the oven to 365°.
7. Prepare the pie crust.  For step by step instructions, please click here:  Pie Crust.
8. Prepare the crumble topping. 
9. Pour the apple innards into the prepared pie crust.
10. Gently place the crumble topping on top of the apples.  You will probably have a lot of crumble topping left over.  That's okay.  You can use it to top some coffee cake later.  It freezes beautifully.  Just pop it into a freezer ziplock bag until you are ready to use it.
11. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the insides are bubbly hot and gooey.
12. Serve with caramel sauce and French vanilla ice cream.

Yummmmmmmmm.

For those of you who like pictures with their instructions, here you go.

Enjoy!

Feel free to use an apple, peeler, corer, slicer.  

It makes doing the apples so much easier -- and more consistent!

One pretty apple, properly peeled and cored.  Slice them into halves or quarters.

See how pretty?

Apples coated with cinnamon & spices, and then baked in the microwave 

Allow the apples to cool just a little.  Then use a pastry knife to cut the apple pieces into smaller chunks. 

 Now it's more like chunky applesauce.

 The pie on the left has bigger pieces, the pie on the right has the pieces mashed & cut.

Set aside.  Prepare the crumble.

 Melt the butter.

 Add in the sugar and spices.

 Stir it all together.

 I didn't have time to grind my oatmeal, so I just sprinkled it in. That works too, but I prefer it with the ground oatmeal.

 I tried using bigger pieces of pecans, and I didn't prefer it.  

Make sure to dice the toasted pecans into much smaller pieces.

 Pile the apples up high into a mound.  The pie on the left is mounded properly.  

The pie on the right needs more apples.

 Pile the crumble on top of the pie.

All done!  See how the innards have caramelized?  Mmmm.

This time I've used smaller chunks of pecans, and ground the oatmeal.  

Aaaah. Perfection.

* * * * *

* * * * *

Find other tasty Thanksgiving Dinner dishes here:

And tasty pie recipes here:

* * * * *

I not only bake and cook, I write murder mysteries too!

Both books are available in paperback and kindle versions

Diamonds for Diamond 
(Book 1 in the Jack Diamond Mystery series)
and
No One Noticed

(Book 2 in the Jack Diamond Mystery Series)

College Tours - Questions to ask

Questions to ask on College Tours

Take note of your first impressions:

• What is the campus like?  Does it feel homey? Can you see yourself walking around?
• Do you need a bike? Or car?  Can you easily get from class to class without too much rush?
• Do the people seem friendly? Do they seem happy? If you stop and ask someone a question, do they seem helpful?
• How is the neighborhood surrounding campus?  Does it feel safe? Does it seem to welcome the college atmosphere?
• How easy is it to get from campus to the neighboring towns?  Does campus provide a free public transportation pass?

Admissions:

• What percentage of students are admitted via Early Admissions?
• What are the average SAT / ACT / GPA scores of the previous year’s class profile?
• What is the acceptance rate?
• What are they looking for in their prospective students?

Classes:

• Ask to see a typical classroom.  How up to date are the materials?  Are there smart boards? Overhead projectors?  How comfortable is the furniture?  Is there adequate lighting?  Left-handed desk-chairs?
• How easy is it to get courses you want at times that are convenient?
• How easy is it to get hold of professors if you have a question? Are they fairly responsive to emails? Available only during office hours?
• Do the professors allow you to turn in papers online? Or is printing required?  
• Are Powerpoint presentations / syllabi posted online?
• What are the typical course requirements: how many exams, research papers, and presentations in a semester class?
• How many elective classes can you take and still graduate in 4 years?
• Is there a PE requirement?
• How do most people buy their books? From the school bookstore? Online? Amazon?

Research / Internships / Finding a job during the summer :   

• How easy is it for students to do research with professors?
• How easy is it for students to write and publish papers/get their names on papers with professors?
• What prerequisites ( activities / grades / classes) do I need to take before I am eligible to work in a lab with professors on their projects? 
• Are students ever able to do their OWN research in labs
• Do the professors who do research work with outside companies?  
• Are research and internship opportunities for undergraduates competitive?

Assistance with classes:

• Do professors have office hours that are convenient?  Is it easy to get hold of professors?
• Are tutors available?
• Are study groups in place? 

Dorms:

• How are dorms chosen?  
• How are roommates chosen?
• Do all dorm rooms have Wifi? Common Areas only? Or in the rooms themselves?        
• Are the dorms air conditioned?  Are the classrooms air conditioned?
• Do most upperclassmen live in dorms? Or do they move off campus?
• What are the laundry facilities like? Coins? Credit Cards?
• Are there exercise facilities in the dorms themselves? 
• Are there dining facilities in the dorms themselves?

Libraries:

• What are the typical library hours on campus?  
• Are the facilities sufficient?  Comfy  / quiet places to work?  Places for groups to gather and work together?
• Do the libraries have wifi?
• Are there printers available in the libraries for students to use?  If so, how much does it cost to print?

Computers:  

• Mac or PC friendly campus?
• Do I need to bring a printer? or is there a printer available on campus?  
• How much does printing cost?
• Are their discounts available for purchasing a computer through the school?

Food:

• I’m a vegetarian.  What are some typical food choices I’ll have at lunch and dinner?
• What is the meal plan like?
• How easy is it to find food on campus if you miss the dining hall meal hours?
• Which dining places on campus accept the meal plan?
• Are there any places off-campus that accept the meal plan?
• How easy is it to get food off campus?

Study Abroad:

• Is the SA program competitive?
• If I find an accredited SA program that isn’t affiliated with the school, would it be possible to attend there and have my credits transfer?
• Do most students who SA stay for a term? or a year?
• Does Financial Aid Transfer over during Study Abroad?
• How easy is it to graduate in 4 years if you study abroad for a term or for a year?
• Is there a way I can talk with one of the students who has attended this program to find out more about their experiences; how good the program is;  what classes transfer;  what they would recommend;  what they would do differently?

Travel:  

• What is the most convenient airport to fly into to get from home to the school? 
• How long does it take to get from the airport to the campus?
• Are there shuttles to campus? 
• How much do the shuttles cost? How much is a cab ride to/from?

Music Auditions:

• Portfolios / Audition Tapes / Auditions / Practice Rooms
• When are your audition and interview dates?
• Do I need to bring an accompanist to my audition?
• May I audition for more than one instrument?
• How do I submit my audition portfolio?
• What are the practice rooms like?  Are they large enough? Which ones have pianos in them?  Do you have to provide your own music stand?
• What are the hours for the practice rooms?
• Are you allowed to practice on stage? If so, when?
• What music teachers are available for lessons? How much do lessons typically cost?
• Are there music scholarships? If so, when is the competition for those?

Art / Theater / Dance

• What are your specific portfolio requirements?
• How many studios do you have?  
• How many performances will I have?
• Can I specialize in dance and something else?
• When are auditions?
• Are there any dance scholarships? If so, when are the competitions?
• How many students apply each year?  How many spots are available?
• Is there a theater/dance/art/music minor?
• How many main stage performances are there each year?
• Can Freshmen perform in main stage performances?
• Are there summer programs available?

Sports / IM:

• When is recruiting?  What is the timeline?
• What is your coaching style?
• What are the practice schedules like?
• What is the regular schedule like?
• What percentage of freshman play all 4 years?
• Scholarships for athletes: What's available? Are they renewable?
• How many walk-ons do you normally have?
• When do I have to come back for summer practice?
• What is the GPA for the team?  Are there study tables / tutors available?

Clubs / Extracurricular Activities:

• Which clubs / extra curricular activities do you have available?
• How often do they meet?
• Insert specific questions here:

Rec center / Gym facilities:  

• Are they open/ available for non-athletes?
• Is there a cost affiliated / associated with the rec center?
• Are they open late at night or on the weekends?  
• How easy is it to get an available treadmill on the weekends? 
• How safe do you feel working out late at night? 

Social atmosphere:

• I read that this campus tends to be a bit more liberal and open-minded.  Do you believe that statement to be true?  Can you give me an example of what you see on campus?
• Do most people stay on campus during the weekends? Or go home?
• Is there an active Greek life on campus?  What percentage of students live in sororities / fraternities?

Health Facilities:

• What are the health facilities available to students?
• How do the folks on campus deal with stress during exam weeks?  Are there planned de-stressing activities for students?  

Safety on Campus:  

• Are the buildings all locked? Do you need a key-card to access?
• Are there campus security officers located?
• Is the campus on the blue-light system?
• How safe do most women feel walking around campus in the evenings?  
• How safe do most women feel during the day?  
• While working out?

Storage: 

• What types of storage facilities are on campus (or near campus) to store items during the summer or over winter break?

Work Study: What types of jobs are available for Work Study positions?

Questions to ask students:

• Where do you study?

• Why should I choose this school over the others I’m looking at?  Why did you choose this school over others you looked at?

• What is a typical week day like for you?

• What is your favorite class you have taken so far?  What made it so great?

• Who is your favorite professor? Why?

• How effective is your adviser? How is academic advising organized here?

• What do you wish you could change about this school?

• Is there anything you know now that you wish you had known as a prospective student? 

Colleges: Narrowing down the search

Narrowing down the college search

Alas, the college hunt is upon us, and it is time to begin narrowing down the college search.  As I am most fastidious about researching and organizing and planning, I thought I’d pass along the process by which we began our hunt.

When I first started, I basically started with a google search of all the colleges that had the major my kiddo wanted. Then she started giving me parameters with regard to locations she was not willing to move to. Then I started asking her other questions: 

• What areas around the country would you like to live? Are there any areas you aren’t willing to move to?
• How big of a campus did she think she might like?
• Does she prefer smaller classes? or the anonymity of large classes?
• Did she want to participate in sports or XC activities on campus? 
• Was she looking for more flexibility with being able to choose which classes to take?  Or did she want to have a more well-defined curriculum so that she could just go, take the classes she was supposed to take when she was supposed to take them, and then she'd graduate? 
• What was the average GPA, ACT and SAT scores for admitting students in this year's class profile? 
• Will she meet that minimum standard? 
• Did she want a conservative campus? or a more liberal one? Something that was LGBT friendly? 
• Did she want something that had a religious component to it?
• Does the school offer financial aid? How much? What was the average financial aid package? 
• What was the school's endowment? 
• Did the school have 100% meet of the kid's financial need? Was the school need blind? 
• Did the school offer merit scholarships? 
• Is there an active Greek life on campus? Did she want that?

From there, I took my list of schools, and crossed off the ones that were in the areas she didn't want to move to. Crossed off all the ones that were too big. Crossed off the ones that didn't meet her "desired" or "ideal" campus. And then I got to work.

I went to each school's website and read about their academic program in the major she was interested in. Then I went to the US News & World Report website on colleges and gathered information regarding class sizes, endowments, financial aid packages and so forth. Then I started compiling lists, and narrowing down the field.  

Over the course of the next six months or so, I put together a portfolio for her “short list” of colleges.  Each college has its own section. 

 The first part of the college’s section contained the following information:

Yale College , New Haven, CT

New Haven, CT 06520

Phone: (203) 432-4771

Tuition: $47,600

Room and Board: $14,600

Books & Misc:

Avg Aid: $ 45,710

EFC for this college: $XXX

SAT: 690-800 per subject

ACT: 32-35   GPA:

Students: 5,477 (Total w/grad: 12,336)

74.6% of classes under 20 students

2014 Endowment: $23,858,561,000

3.2% accepted 

Tuition PLUS Room and Board: $63,250

Meets 100% of financial need with scholarship grants and on-campus employment

Estimated family contribution: $xxx

Then I read the book, “Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015”  and took notes on that particular college, first highlighting information that I felt might be relevant for my kiddo, then going back and typing information into my portfolio for each college.

Next, I went to each college’s academic website for the major which she wishes to pursue.  I copied / pasted the requirements for the major, included a list of all possible courses that could be taken for that major, and included any additional information (such as courses that are cross-fields applicable).  I included all this information in her college portfolio.

When I had a running list of 20 or so, I did more in-depth research regarding each school. I narrowed the list down further to 8.

I came up with a list of questions to ask on college tours, and she took it, along with the college portfolio, with her on a whirl-wind tour of 7 college campuses in 8 days.  

She now has her list ranked in order of preference.  

We can still open the list up again to the remaining 12 that we couldn't fit on this college tour if she's interested. 

We'll be able to have a better idea as to whether or not some of the schools will be too far out of reach once we get her ACT scores back. We have a rough idea, based on PSAT scores, the number of AP classes she will have taken by the time she graduates and her current GPA, but a lot comes down to those darned test scores. 

A lot of schools are ACT / SAT optional now, particularly with the new SAT that came out this year giving many schools a bit of a headache. But yet, we still found during the college tours that they ARE looking at those test scores -- even if it is just ONE piece of the puzzle. So many schools are looking for LEADERSHIP qualities, so she wants to make sure she boosts those up from this summer's job / volunteer time. 

During my search, I came across this online "book" and it has been helpful. 

http://www.morrisschooldistrict.org/...whitesbook.pdf

For those of you who want to know how crazy-detailed I got in this whole process, here is what her portfolio contains for each of her colleges:

Inside each college’s mini portfolio is the following information:

• General information about the college (see below)
• General information about the major
• Questions asked during the college tour
• First impressions based upon the college tour
• Answers to the questions asked during the college tour
• Questions to ask during the interview (usually the minor questions that didn’t get answered during the tour, or that have come up since)
• Links to detailed information regarding each of the professors in her major, and the research that each professor in the department is working on.
• Eventually we’ll add in: 
• Due dates for application, application requirements, fees, etc.
• A check list to mark off all application materials (including letters of reference) that have been sent and received
• Estimated Family Contribution for each college, based on the school’s EFC calculator
• Acceptance letters and each college’s financial aid package

Hopefully all of this information will make the college hunt easier for her.  So much more is available online on the college websites than was ever available back in the dark ages when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was on my college hunt.

But honestly, getting into college seems so much more competitive now than it was when I was in school.  And with all the time she is spending in AP classes, doing homework, extra curricular activities, volunteering, and having a social life, there is too little time left over for her to be spending the detailed time and effort to thoroughly vet the colleges she may wish to attend. Whatever help I can lend along the way to make this process easier for her, will help all of us in the end.

* * * * * 

GranNini's Cornbread Stuffing

Granini's Cornbread Stuffing

Cornbread Recipe:
(for step by step instructions, click here: Granini's Cornbread)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup sugar (*)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 1/4 cups milk

1 1/2 cups flour

Additional Stuffing Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter 

(if all you have is salted butter, that's fine, simply reduce the amount of salt you add to the stuffing)

5 or 6 celery stalks, washed and diced

1 medium onion, peeled and diced

2 teaspoons salt

3 teaspoons sage

2 teaspoons poultry seasoning

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 - 1 cup chicken broth *

*(Veggie broth works too, but only if it doesn't have tomatoes in the broth)*

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°.  
2. Add the ingredients, in order, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
3. Lightly spray an 8x8 glass baking pan with cooking spray.
4. Use a rubber spatula to ladle the wet ingredients into the baking pan.
5. Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden brown on top.  If you are unsure if the cornbread is finished, simply insert a knife in the center of the cornbread, pull it out, and make sure it comes out clean.  If the knife has wet cornbread on it when you pull it out, pop the cornbread back in the oven for 5 more minutes and repeat until the cornbread is completely baked.
6. Allow the cornbread to cool completely.  Feel free to wait a day or two before making your cornbread stuffing.  Or, freeze the cornbread after cooling completely, and use it when needed.  Freezes well for up to 6 months in a freezer ziplock storage bag.
7. When the cornbread has cooled completely, crumble the cornbread into small pieces into a large glass bowl, and set aside.
8. While the cornbread is cooling, in a large sauté pan, melt the butter over low / medium heat.
9. Slowly stir in the diced celery and onion.  Allow to sauté over low / medium heat until the onions and celery are completely soft.  Do not allow the onions to become so hot that they brown.
10. Gently pour the sautéed onions and celery into the bowl of crumbled cornbread.
11. Mix in the spices, and stir thoroughly.
12. Slowly mix in the egg.
13. Gently add in the chicken broth, a little bit at a time, until the cornbread is lightly moistened.  DO NOT OVER MOISTEN. Too little chicken broth, and your stuffing will be dry.  However, too MUCH chicken broth, and your stuffing will be a mushy mess.  Try to err on the side of too little broth.  You can always pour gravy over your cornbread to give it more moisture.  Mmmm.  Gravy!  Some people prefer it one way, some the other.  I find that if I add just a wee bit too much broth, I simply bake it a little longer, and it tends to crisp up on the outside.
14. Lightly grease a medium sized casserole dish.
15. Pour your cornbread stuffing into the casserole dish, and pop it into the oven.  
16. Bake for about 30 minutes or so, or until the top is lightly toasty.
17. You can make your stuffing a day or two before you need it, as long as you keep it refrigerated before baking.  Simply pop it from the fridge into the oven.  You may need to add an extra 5 to 10 minutes of baking time if your stuffing is cold, rather than room temperature, when you pop it into the oven.  Making stuffing ahead of time makes meal prep a bit easier.

For those of you who like pictures, here you go!

Enjoy!

 Crumble up your cornbread
(this is about 1/2 my cornbread from my 8x8 inch dish)

 Sprinkle on some poultry seasoning

 Sprinkle on some sage, salt and pepper

 Sauté up your veggies

 Add in veggies

 Stir altogether

 Add in egg

 Pour in some chicken broth

 Pour into a lightly greased casserole dish
(I use the end of a stick of butter -- I just slather that butter stick around until it coats all the surfaces, nooks and crannies.)  Pop it in the oven for 1/2 an hour or so, and it's done!

All done, and making my kitchen smell fantastic!  MMMMMM BOY! I love me some stuffin!

* * * * *

Find other tasty Thanksgiving Dinner dishes here:

And tasty pie recipes here:

* * * * *

I not only bake and cook, I write murder mysteries too!

Both books are available in paperback and kindle versions

Diamonds for Diamond 
(Book 1 in the Jack Diamond Mystery series)
and
No One Noticed

(Book 2 in the Jack Diamond Mystery Series)

GranNini's cornbread

GranNini's Cornbread

This recipe is insanely easy, and is truly a no-fail cornbread.  I use it two ways, one as a tasty side dish addition to my beef molé "chili," and the second way (and used more often) as the base for my homemade cornbread stuffing.  I alter the recipe, depending upon which version I need, and have included the alteration notes here as well.

Recipe Version 1:

(for use as the stand-alone cornbread)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2/3 cup sugar (*)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 1/4 cups milk

1 1/2 cups flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°.  
2. Add the ingredients, in order, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
3. Lightly spray an 8x8 glass baking pan with cooking spray.
4. Use a rubber spatula to ladle the wet ingredients into the baking pan.
5. Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden brown on top.  If you are unsure if the cornbread is finished, simply insert a knife in the center of the cornbread, pull it out, and make sure it comes out clean.  If the knife has wet cornbread on it when you pull it out, pop the cornbread back in the oven for 5 more minutes and repeat until the cornbread is completely baked.
6. Serve with softened butter, or honey, or both, or plain!  Mmmm. Tasty!
7. Enjoy!

Recipe Version 2

(for use as the base for cornbread stuffing)

(Reduce the amount of sugar to 1/3 cup.)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup sugar (*)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 1/4 cups milk

1 1/2 cups flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°.  
2. Add the ingredients, in order, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
3. Lightly spray an 8x8 glass baking pan with cooking spray.
4. Use a rubber spatula to ladle the wet ingredients into the baking pan.
5. Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden brown on top.  If you are unsure if the cornbread is finished, simply insert a knife in the center of the cornbread, pull it out, and make sure it comes out clean.  If the knife has wet cornbread on it when you pull it out, pop the cornbread back in the oven for 5 more minutes and repeat until the cornbread is completely baked.
6. Allow the cornbread to cool completely.  Feel free to wait a day or two before making your cornbread stuffing.  Or, freeze the cornbread after cooling completely, and use it when needed.  Freezes well for up to 6 months in a freezer ziplock storage bag.
7. When you're ready to use the cornbread for the stuffing, simply crumble the cornbread into small pieces into a large glass bowl, and follow the remaining instructions for my cornbread stuffing here:  GranNini's Cornbread Stuffing.

Enjoy!


For those of you who like pictures along with the recipes, see below!

 Whisking together the eggs, sugar & oil

 Added in the cornmeal, baking powder, salt, milk & flour

 Poured everything into a lightly greased 8x8 glass baking dish

 Mmmmm, boy that looks tasty!

 The perfect golden color

Absolutely perfect on the inside. And oh, so delish!

* * * * *

Find other tasty Thanksgiving Dinner dishes here:

And tasty pie recipes here:

* * * * *

I not only bake and cook, I write murder mysteries too!

Both books are available in paperback and kindle versions

Diamonds for Diamond 
(Book 1 in the Jack Diamond Mystery series)
and
No One Noticed

(Book 2 in the Jack Diamond Mystery Series)