Hilda’s Fried Apricot and Peach Pies

Dessert, Pie, Recipes

Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup shortening
1 cup milk
8 ounces dried apricots
1 (6 ounce) package dried peaches
3/4 cup white sugar
2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Preparation:
To Make Crust: In a large bowl, mix together flour and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly. Mix in milk and stir until dough forms a ball. Roll out dough and cut into 18 6-inch circles. Set aside.
2 To Make Filling: In a large saucepan, combine apricots, peaches, and sugar. Add enough water to cover fruit. Cover pan and cook over low heat until fruit is falling apart. Remove lid and continue to cook until water is evaporated.
3 Place oil or shortening in small high-sided skillet. Place over medium heat. Spoon equal amounts of filling into each pastry circle and fold in half. Seal pastry with a fork dipped in cold water.
4 Fry a few pies at a time in hot oil, browning on both sides. Drain pies on paper towels.

Strawberry Liqueur

Any, Beverage, Recipes

Ingredients
3 c. fresh strawberries, cut into thirds
3 tbsp. powdered sugar
3 c. vodka
1 c. white granular sugar
1/2 c. water

Preparation:
Hull berries. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, stir until dissolved. Add to vodka. Steep 2 weeks in glass wide mouth jars. Crush berries through strainer. Filter. Bring sugar and water to boil. Stir until sugar is dissolved and clear. Cool. Add this sugar syrup to berry mixture. Let mature 7 weeks. Filter again through coffee filter. Put into 1 quart bottle. It’s ready to drink.

Mocha Creme

Any, Beverage, Recipes

Ingredients
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
2 c. milk
1 tbsp. instant coffee
1 beaten egg yolk
1 c. Irish whiskey
1/2 c. coffee liqueur
3 tbsp. chocolate syrup

Preparation:
In a saucepan, put condensed and regular milk and instant coffee. Heat until dissolved. Stir half the hot mixture into egg yolk. Return all of that mixture to pan; boil. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Add all other ingredients. Let cool. Refrigerate. Makes about 5 cups.

Black-eyed Peas With Ham

Dinner, Recipes, Vegetables

Ingredients
3 1/2 c Fresh black-eyed peas or Frozen, thawed
3 c Chicken stock or canned low-salt broth
4 oz Ham, finely chopped
1 sm Yellow onion, chopped
2 tb Balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
3 lg Garlic cloves, minced
1 Bay leaf
1/2 ts Dried thyme, crumbled
1/4 ts Dried crushed red pepper

Preparation:
Bring all ingredients to boil in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer until peas are tender, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Yield: 6 servings

Amaretto Liqueur

Any, Beverage, Recipes

Ingredients
3 c. sugar
2 c. water
Lemon peel from 1 lemon
6 tbsp. almond extract
1 tbsp. chocolate extract
3 c. vodka
1/2 c. bourbon
2 tbsp. Vanilla

Preparation:
In large pot, add sugar, water and lemon peel. Bring to a boil and simmer 20 minutes. Remove from heat; add almond, vanilla and chocolate extracts. Remove lemon peel and add vodka. Praline liqueur: Use same recipe except substitute maple flavoring for almond.

Mocha (hot) 4 servings

Other, Recipes

Ingredients
2 cups coffee
1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup whipping cream
dash cinnamon

Preparation:
Mix cocoa, sugar, coffee and milk in a sauce pan Heat, over medium heat constantly stirring, until simmering Remove from heat and stir in vanilla Pour into cups, top with whipped cream and cinnamon