Oldies but goodies

My plans for todays post changed when I realized earlier this week that I've never shared two of my very favorite recipes!  Tortellini soup and apple pie!  On a whim, I decided to throw my tortellini soup recipe together on a video - it may end up being a flop, but I'm running with it :)

Note to self - STOP SAYING SO!!!

And if you don't feel like watching, here's the cliff's notes...

What You Need

- 1 lb sausage, browned

- 1 (32 oz) box chicken broth

- 2 cans diced tomatoes

- 1 package baby spinach

- 1 package (20 oz) refrigerated tortellini

- 1 block cream cheese

What You'll Do

Throw everything in the crock pot.

Cook on low for 4-5 hours.

About an hour before it's done, stir.

Another recipe that I've been making for years is a super simple apple pie.  

The whole reason we made apple pie is that the kids discovered my stack of Chatbooks in the office and Griffin has been OBSESSED with the one full of Thanksgiving and Christmas pictures :)  She has been begging me to make apple pie like we did in the picture on Thanksgiving and so I obliged. 

 

Here's What You Need

- 6-7 cups of sliced Granny Smith apples (about 6 apples)

- 3/4 cup sugar

- 1 teaspoon cinnamon

- 2 tablespoons flour

- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

- milk

- extra sugar for sprinkling

- deep dish pie crust

Step 1: Peel and slice the apples.  You don't have to be exact about the amount.  I tend to slice more than it calls for and usually end up with 7+ cups. 

I would peel and slice the apples and then Griffin would put them in the measuring cup and dump them in.  

Step 2: When the apples were all sliced, we added in 3/4 cups of sugar...

... then 2 tablespoons of flour...

... then the 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg. 

Step 3: Stir until all the apples are coated...

Those tippy toes!!!

This is the point where the boys came in and had to smell the apples and cinnamon :)

Step 4: Pour the apples into the crust (either homemade or store bought... I use store bought because I haven't found a crust recipe that is so good it's worth the effort)

Step 5: Place the second crust on top and press the edges together to seal them.

Step 6: Rub a little bit of milk onto the crust and sprinkle the whole thing with sugar. 

Step 7: Cover the edges with foil and bake at 375 for 40 minutes.  Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes. 

 (Note: I bake my fruit pies on a pizza pan covered in aluminum foil to catch the bubbly juice that can overflow while it's baking)

I typically like to let my pies cool overnight (preferably in the refrigerator), but if you don't mind it being a little messy when you cut it as long as it's cool to the touch you should be good to go.  When you let it sit overnight it tends to firm up a bit.

I hope y'all enjoyed some of my favorite recipes - I've added them to my recipe page HERE for easy reference.  

Happy Thursday, Friends!!!