Perfect Rhubarb Pie

June16

 I love this recipe for Perfect Rhubarb Pie because it’s so simple. Added bonus: Vodka crust!

Growing up, I didn’t eat a lot of rhubarb.

Maybe there wasn’t a lot of rhubarb in West Texas as that time because fruits and vegetables didn’t fly around the world like they do today.

Perhaps Papa Daddy didn’t like rhubarb. Or it might not have been on Aba’s radar screen. Regardless, I found rhubarb late in life and I fell in love.

My favorite way to enjoy rhubarb is, like most people, in a pie. I love this recipe for Perfect Rhubarb Pie because it’s so simple. Tart, but sweet (like me!). I know the recipe looks long and involved, but that’s the fault of the delicious Vodka Crust. Use a refrigerated pie crust, if you prefer.

I’m going to be taking some time off to pursue some other writing projects. I’ll be posting some of my previous recipes with (much) better images. I’ll be checking my email so please leave comments, suggestions and share my recipes (please!).

Thanks for the fun.


Cherry Pie Ice Cream

September19

My love for sickly-sweet canned cherry pie filling is well-documented. I make no apologies and I’m not ashamed. (And… I am getting help. Really. Not Really.)

Cherry Pie Ice Cream - Mama's High Strung

 

I found a can of cherry pie filling in the back of my pantry (how in the world did THAT get there I wonder?)… I immediately thought, “A pie would be nice, but I don’t feel like making one.” Then it hit me… “Hmmm… ice cream! Yes, that’s the enchantment I can create!”

And I did… Cherry Pie ice Cream.

You don’t have to go through the gymnastics (like I did) of making homemade ice cream. Buy a high-quality vanilla bean ice cream, let it soften a bit and stir-in the canned cherry pie filling. I won’t tell. You definitely have to make the streusel because it is so darn delicious. If there’s any leftover, sprinkle it on your oatmeal.

We both know that there are some things in this world that you know aren’t healthy and should be avoided… but then you don’t. Or won’t.

But it’s okay.

As I always say…fat is your friend!  Besides, you don’t eat like this everyday and, well, it’s nice to spoil those you love once in a while.

Especially yourself.

 

National Ice Cream Pie Day: Banana & Toffee Ice Cream Pie

August18

Yippee! Today’s National Ice Cream Pie Day!

Banana and Toffee Ice Cream Pie-Mama's High Strung

This is a serious holiday, folks, so before we move forward, here’s a little ice cream info you should have in your foodie-knowledge arsenal from the Ice Cream History website:

1. In 1851, the industrial production of ice cream began in Boston, Massachusetts.

2. The average American consumes almost 50 pints of ice cream in a year.

3. Vanilla is the most popular flavor of ice cream, followed by chocolate and strawberry.

4. More ice cream is sold on Sunday than any other day of the week.

5. It takes 12 gallons of milk to make 1 gallon of ice cream.

Now, back to the party.

I love the banana ice cream recipe in Jeni Britton Bauer’s cookbook “Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home.” I changed it a bit and added an extra banana for more flavor-wow and threw in some chopped English toffee for a bit of a crunch. You will need an ice cream maker for this recipe.

Wilton’s Mini Pie Pan is absolutely perfect for making individual pie servings. I used my favorite vodka piecrust recipe, but you can use Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Piecrust sheets to make it easier.

A lot of effort, I know. But this day only comes once a year… so give it all you’ve got!

Like this? Try this: Easy Ice Cream Peach Pie 


How to Make Ceviche

July22

Here’s a great summertime dish you can “cook” without turning on the oven: Ceviche.

Ceviche-Mama's High Strung

Ceviche (also known as cebiche, sebiche or seviche) is a Latin American dish made with raw fish that is marinated in citrus juice, herbs and spices until the translucent flesh turns opaque and becomes firm.

In Peru (where many people believe this dish originated), tangy ceviche is traditionally eaten in the morning as an eye-opener (read that: hangover cure). Its ingredients are pretty simple: bitter orange juice, onions and thinly sliced hot peppers, like aji amarillo.

I prefer to make my ceviche the Mexican way, with lime juice, cilantro, jalapeños and a little garlic. I serve it on top of fresh crunchy greens. The taste is so fresh and healthy it’s one of my feel-good meals. It’s very easy to learn how to make ceviche!

A few ceviche tips:

  • Buy fresh firm-fleshed ocean fish like halibut, grouper, flounder or red snapper that won’t fall apart in the marinade.
  • Marinade until the fish loses its translucency, or for about 4-hours.
  • Soak the onions for a little bit to take the “bite” out, so they don’t step on the other flavors.
  • Remove the seeds and veins from the chili peppers to control the heat.

Funny how the thought of eating raw fish doesn’t sound as absurd as it did a decade ago because, for many of us, sushi and sashimi have become a regular part of our diets!

 

 


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Hi…
I’m Christina Chavez

I was a TV journalist for many years, but with a house full of kids I decided to come off the road, go to culinary school and follow my passion for cooking. Mama’s High Strung is all about food… everything from creative recipe ideas to some really cool kitchen gadgets and cooking tips. I live in Chicago, but I love to travel and write about my food discoveries! You can reach me by email: mamashighstrung@gmail.com