Pecan Pie

I think I finally got the recipe right for a delicious pecan pie.

Crust Ingredients:

2 cups buckwheat flour

1 stick of butter cubed and chilled

1/4 cup of sunflower oil

6 tsp chilled water

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp salt

In a mixer add flour, salt and butter together and mix at a medium speed.  While mixing add the oil and honey.  1 teaspoon at a time add water.  When the dough comes all together that should be enough water.  Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 20 minutes.  On a (buckwheat) floured surface roll dough out to about 14 inches diameter then folding almost in half and place in pie dish.  Gently press into the edges of the dish.  Using your finger, thumb or a fork crimp the edges of the pie.  Set in refrigerator while you prepare the filling.

Filling Ingredients:

Approx. 20 dates

1/4 cup honey

1/4 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

Dash of salt

1 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Approx. 1/2 cup pecan halves

Preheat oven  to 350 degrees Fahrenheit  Boil the dates until they are soft and mushy, about 30 minutes.  I like to chill the dates before mixing anything else. Once chilled to room temperature add honey, vanilla, spices and salt.  Mix well.  Add chopped pecans and stir.  Pour filling into pie crust then top with pecan halves.  Bake for 80-90 minutes.  To prevent the edges from overcooking, halfway through backing cover the edges with tin foil.  Let cool and serve!

Pineapple Chili

Ingredients:

Ground beef or turkey
Olive Oil
Garlic
Onion
Can of pineapple
Can of beans (I use black, pinto or kidney)
Cumin
Salt
Pepper
*Cilantro
*Apricots

I start by sauteing the onion and garlic in olive oil then browning the meat with some salt.  I add the pineapple, and then the beans and cumin.  If you have cilantro, I'd throw some of that in there and you may like to add some dried apricots too, I bet that would taste amazing. If there is not enough liquid I'll add up to a cup of water as well.  I bring it all to a boil then cover and simmer for about 30 min.  This is another dish that tastes better the longer it cooks.   While this is cooking, I make about 1 cup of buckwheat groats.  Serve the chili over buckwheat, or you could also make buckwheat crackers and dip them in the chili instead.  Store the left over and enjoy the next day too. It'll taste even better!

Pineapple (Hawaiian) Chicken

Ingredients:

Fresh Ginger minced or sliced very thin

Chicken (whatever sections you prefer)

1 Can of pineapple (I prefer Chunks)

Turmeric

Olive oil

Garlic

Salt

Pepper

This is best done in a slow-cooker, but since I don't own one, I use a large pot.  I start by boiling the chicken pieces in water with the fresh ginger, salt, pepper, and garlic.  After the outside of the chicken begins to turn white I add the whole can of pineapple, juice and all, a little bit of olive oil, and a dash or two of turmeric.  I usually let the whole thing cook for about 40 mins.  The longer the chicken cooks the better it will taste.  When the meat starts to fall off the bone is when I turn the heat off.  I prefer to take all the bones out, but it doesn't really matter.  While the chicken is cooking I prepare 1 cup of buckwheat groats.  When everything is done, I serve the chicken over buckwheat.  This is a great meal when it's cold outside.

You may also want to try baking this in the oven.  I haven't tried it but I bet it'd be delicious.

Strawberries and Cream!

Here is a very simple dessert that I absolutely love.

Ingredients:

Strawberries (I prefer fresh)
Heavy Cream
Honey.

I make my own whipped cream by adding some honey to some heavy cream (I learned that less is more for both ingredients) in a cup with a wide mouth.  It should be just wide enough for a whisk to fit inside without binding on the sides.  I roll the whisk back and forth between my hands for about 1 min until the cream is firm.  I find that when whipped, there is usually more cream than I anticipate.  I spoon the cream over sliced strawberries and enjoy.  Or if you prefer, you can dip the strawberries in the cream.  This is a great desert and super quick and easy.  And clean-up is a snap.  ENJOY!