Apple Pie you've been waiting for...

When I went to Miami, my only goal was to find the best key lime pie in existence. I can never make a good one.. therefore all that I tried in MIA were 1000 times better and won 1st place in my books. I know I won't ever have this problem with apple pies, because this one is #1.

Ingredients:

Fresh apples from the farm ( I took these pictures back in October)

Peel and grate the apples, I like to grate them pretty thick sometimes even just slice them.

Simmer the apples on low-med heat to evaporate the juices. You can add some sugar or cinnamon to taste as well.

This is what you will need for the dough. Really simple.

Mix half a package of butter, 2 eggs and add a cup of sugar.

Add a table spoon of vanilla extract to the mix..and slowly add flour.

I start by adding 2 cups of flour, then keep adding more until the mixture looks like the next picture. It should feel soft and malleable.

You don't need a mixer, just use a spoon:)

Spread the dough on a baking tray. You can also use a proper dish but I like think crust pie.

Then spread the apple mixture on top (make sure you cooled it down after the juice evaporated)

Then take the remaining dough and roll it out. Cut thin strips and arrange them on the pie like this:

Glaze over with some beaten eggs and throw it on the oven at 400 degrees.

Bake until golden brown!

And we're ready for a tea party

My sister Liza, loves my pie.

Baked Brie

Since we're on the topic of quick hors d'oeuvre and puff pastry dough recipes, here's another one of my favourites:

I love brie on its own.. but the sweet jam and the pastry make it 5000 times better!

It takes 10 minutes to bake and about 5 to prepare. Totally recommend it for any get together.

I used phyllo that was already premade into thin sheets. Place the brie in the center of a stack of 6 phyllo sheets (12 for a larger brie). Spread a jam or some dried fruit on top and grade walnuts or cashews on top. I used strawberry jam since thats all I had, but apricot, pear and fig spread works wonderfully as well.

Every time you fold over a layer of phyllo dough, brush the top with butter, and proceed to the next layer. I did 6 sheets on mine and stuck it in the oven for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes turn off the oven but let the brie sit in there for 10 more.. it keeps it warm, and lets the cheese melt more without burning the pastry.

And voila:

Triangle Spanakapita

This is a simple hors d'oeuvre to serve, and make. I made this very quickly as I had some friends coming by after work.. Just picked up the stuff on our way and was ready in less than 20 mins.

all you need is:

- Spinach (Fresh or frozen- i used frozen)

-2-3 onions

-lemon or lime

- Puff pastry or Phyllo dough

- Butter

So first you chop the onions, and defrost the spinach.

Then sautee the onions and mix in the spinach when they caramelize.

Then add half a lemon, and some spices to taste if you'd like. I am not sure what I added in this photo..some Arabic spice we had at my house, kind of bitter yet sour to the taste. Weird.

Now for the fun part..

Rollll that phyllo

When its about 2-3 mms thick, cut it into small squares (depending on how big you want the triangles to be. Put a tablespoon of the spinach-onion mix in it and fold over like this:

Make it prettyyyy

Before putting them in the oven, brush quickly with egg and butter mix or just butter.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for about 10 mins or until golden. Depends on the oven usually, my old one would take longer than 20 minutes sometimes!

I would sometimes add feta cheese to the mix, Just didn't have it at hand.

Milestones' Baked garlic with Goats Cheese. For 1/5th of the price!

I love eating at Milestones, don't get me wrong. But sadly one of my favourite appies there is one that I can make at home any day! For a fraction of the price. I always kick myself whenever I order it and promise to try making it at home.. I finally did!

All you need is :

- 1 or 2 heads of garlic

- Olive oil

- Goats cheese (1 log is enough)

- Fig or apricot jam

- Crackers!

Slightly peel the garlic and cut off the top so that the cloves are showing through the skin

Place in a shallow oven proof dish, drizzle with olive oil, cover with tin foil and bake in a 400 degree oven for approximately 1 hour.

I let it bake for 40 mins and then open up the tinfoil for 20 minutes so that the garlic is a but crunchy and baked.

Serve with goats cheese and crackers. Add a sweet jam or sweet relish and you can also use warm pitas or melba toast

They see me Rollinn'

Due to popular demand, I made a sushi post! Unfortunately I couldn't find any fresh fish at the Korean store..OR at the local grocery stores. Seriously, all the fish said " fresh, previously frozen"..what does that even mean? did they take a frozen tuna steak, defrost it and throw it on ice? I guess so. I decided to hold off on making any Sashimi or rolls with any fish.. So I chose to do the California roll which I'm sure is loved by everyone.. I just made one little adjustment; I used red pepper instead of cucumber, because I DESPISE cucumbers.

Here is what you'll need for this roll:

- 1 cup of sushi rice

-1 cup water

- 2 tbsp rice vinegar mixed with 1 tbsp sugar and a pinch of salt

-Nori sheets

-1 ripe avocado

- 1 red pepper

-crab sticks

- Japanese soy sauce

- Wasabi

-mayo(optional)

Cut up the pepper and crab sticks in to thin slices

Season the freshly cooked rice and let it cool down to room temperature, then cover with a damp cloth so it doesn't dry out.

Place the sheet of nori on the mat SMOOTH side down. Spread the rice evenly, make sure the whole nori sheet is covered. Wet your hands beforehand so that the rice doesn't stick.

Lay a sheet of plastic wrap over the rice, then turn the whole thing over so that the plastic wrap is under the rice and the seaweed is facing upwards.

I usually mix mayo and wasabi and spread a little in the center of the seaweed for extra spice.

Now you can start arranging the fillings!

Start at the end nearest to you and work your way up.

Now for the most exciting part! rolllinn'

Pick up the nearest edge of the rolling mat. Slowly roll the mat away from you to wrap the rice-covered nori around the filling. Use even pressure and lift the mat out of the way as you go.

TAadaaa!

You can also roll it in sesame seeds at this point, coat the whole roll and then cut it.

Then place the roll on a chopping board, seam side DOWN. and cut into equal pieces with a very sharp, wet knife.

Serve with soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.

PS- Aren't my sushi dishes adorable? Thanks Yervant<3