My Nanie, Olga, was known for her fabulous French cooking—a longtime passion she developed at a young age from her mother, an equally superb cook (lovingly known as 'ma mère'). Growing up, going to Nanie's house always meant we were in for a treat, whether it was quiche Lorraine, hearty blanquette de veau (a French veal stew) or deliciously creamy éclairs. She could whip up just about anything, in gourmet fashion. But of her extensive culinary repertoire, the one dish my dad loved and missed most, was her plum tart. Lucky for us (and you), she left a legacy of delicious recipes to share. She was however known for leaving out steps, so we've done a little adapting of our own. Share a slice or two over stories of your own family traditions!
My Nanie, Olga, was known for her fabulous French cooking—a longtime passion she developed at a young age from her mother, an equally superb cook (lovingly known as 'ma mère'). Growing up, going to Nanie's house always meant we were in for a treat, whether it was quiche Lorraine, hearty blanquette de veau (a French veal stew) or deliciously creamy éclairs. She could whip up just about anything, in gourmet fashion. But of her extensive culinary repertoire, the one dish my dad loved and missed most, was her plum tart. Lucky for us (and you), she left a legacy of delicious recipes to share. She was however known for leaving out steps, so we've done a little adapting of our own. Share a slice or two over stories of your own family traditions!
Grease one 9" pie dish using butter, shortening or cooking spray (whichever you prefer).
In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar, butter and salt. Roll the ingredients between your fingers and hands until the butter is evenly incorporated throughout the mixture. It should resemble breadcrumbs.
Gradually add ice water to the mixture and mix until able to form a ball of dough. your dough is balled, it's time to start rolling. Sprinkle rolling surface with flour to avoid sticking. Start rolling out the pastry dough into a large circle (it should be wide enough to cover your pie dish, and not too thin).
When your dough is ready, transfer it to your pie dish and press the dough down to line the sides of the dish. If you have excess dough hanging over the edges, cut around the dish and lightly press the top rim with your fingers.
Next, wash, pit and slice your plums into quarters (or to your desired thickness). Place them in a small mixing bowl and sprinkle with 1/4 cups sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon, mixing until the fruit is evenly coated.
Add the sugar-coated plum mixture (flesh side up) to your pie crust—enough to completely cover the bottom of the dish—and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Custard Filling
In a large bowl, combine ½ cup whipping cream, 1 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons flour and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Then gradually whisk in the eggs, until the mixture is smooth.
When the crust and plums are ready, remove from the oven and pour the custard mixture on top, covering the plums entirely. Note: if you have any plums left over, you can add them on top of the custard to make a fun flower-like pattern.
Now it's time to pop it into the oven! Bake another 20 minutes, or until custard is set. Then, bon appétit!
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Add the butter and break it up with your fingers, mixing it in with the flour mixture.
Add in 2 tablespoons of cold water and begin mixing the dough all together. If it needs more water, add a tiny bit more in, until it forms a crust consistency. Bring the dough into a ball shape, cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, take the dough out and place it on a cutting board that is lightly floured. Begin to knead the dough gently, forming it into a rectangle, keeping the edges even. Try to make sure you still have some flecks of butter visible in the dough.
Fold the top third of the dough down to the center, then the bottom third up and over that. Roll the dough out again, turning it vertically so that it reaches three times its length. Fold it in thirds again, cover and put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
While the dough is resting, you can make the custard filling! Dissolve 1/2 cup of sugar into the hot water, in a large mixing bowl. Allow this to cool to room temperature. Thoroughly whisk eggs and evaporated milk together in a separate bowl and then whisk in the sugar water and vanilla.
Strain your egg mixture through a mesh strainer in order to get your mixture to a smooth consistency without bubbles. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Roll out the dough and cut circles to fit your small aluminum tart tins. Press your dough into the tins to fill each one. Then fill them with the egg mixture, 3/4 of the way to the top. Place all of your tins onto a baking sheet and pop them in the oven!
Bake them for 15 minutes, reducing the temperature to 350 degrees and baking again for another 10-12 minutes, until the filling is just set. Let the tarts cool for a couple of minutes and enjoy them while they are warm!
Every Thanksgiving, my mother Ann (Nana) would make the tastiest pumpkin bread ever. Our family loved it so much, we'd ask her to make it again for Christmas!
Every Thanksgiving, my mother Ann (Nana) would make the tastiest pumpkin bread ever. Our family loved it so much, we'd ask her to make it again for Christmas!
Holidays aren't complete until everyone at the family gathering has had a piece of buttermilk pie! It's sweet and decadent and sure to be a hit. This is my great grandmother's recipe and it couldn't be any easier to throw together. Enjoy this sweet southern dessert and let us know how it goes over at your next holiday party!
Holidays aren't complete until everyone at the family gathering has had a piece of buttermilk pie! It's sweet and decadent and sure to be a hit. This is my great grandmother's recipe and it couldn't be any easier to throw together. Enjoy this sweet southern dessert and let us know how it goes over at your next holiday party!
Growing up as an Italian girl in NYC, many recipes, stories and traditions were had in the kitchen.
I can still hear my grandma Lucy yelling for me, “Daniella, come in the kitchen and help grandma roll the meatballs!”
The smell of roasting garlic and her stories about past loves and being a child with 12 brothers and sisters always had me mesmerized. She grew up in a building where Lincoln Center stands today. She shared a room with 5 of her siblings. I was always amazed at that. When they got the notice they had to leave the building to build Lincoln Center, they migrated to Brooklyn. Lucy lived for a beautiful 90 years and we talk about her often. Cooking for her family was something she cherished and her recipes will continue to pass on generation after generation.
Grandma Lucy's Meatballs
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Through the years we all have added a modern day spin to Grandma Lucy's meatballs. Don't forget to check the end of the recipe to see what our family adds to jazz it up. Another thing to note is many Italians don't measure ingredients, we just cook by the eye. Works great for our family, but if you need some measurements I have included them in this recipe.
Through the years we all have added a modern day spin to Grandma Lucy's meatballs. Don't forget to check the end of the recipe to see what our family adds to jazz it up. Another thing to note is many Italians don't measure ingredients, we just cook by the eye. Works great for our family, but if you need some measurements I have included them in this recipe.
Soak your breadcrumbs in milk and let all the milk absorb. Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly. Form meatballs. I like to roll them small and grandma rolled them rather big. TIP: Keep a large bowl of ice water handy and dip your hands in the ice water when forming your meatballs. It helps stop your hands from becoming a sticky mess. Stage your meatballs on a platter until they are all rolled and ready to cook. IF you find your meatballs are too soft and they will not hold their shape, then consider adding more breadcrumbs. If they are too hard, consider adding another egg.
Fry them in a skillet, that has an ample amount of canola oil or olive oil. Turning them as the “sides” brown. I have baked them on baking racks at 450, turning every 15 or so minutes.
Drop them in your gigantic pot of sauce and let them continue to cook until you are ready to eat.
Our Modern Day Spin
My rendition: I don't like to make my own bread crumbs, I enjoy using panko and a handful of basil in my meatball mixture. I also use ground turkey instead of the pork and ground beef. I have also used pureed carrots and have thrown that in.
Uncle Frank: He, believe it or not, likes to add raisins. Don't ask why... He enjoys the sweetness.
My dear friend Liz: She doesn't use chopped garlic, she uses a roasted garlic powder and likes the brand Penzys.
My Cousin Angela: Grates zucchini for the health benefits and also only uses ground pork.
My Cousin Damian: Beef & Veal and he says NO Basil.
Not many people have ever heard of Indian Corn Pudding before, but if you're from New England or more specifically Rhode Island, there's a good chance you've stumbled upon it at grandma's house. This dessert dates back to the very first Thanksgiving with the mix of Puritan and Native American cultures. The Puritan's from England brought their love of puddings and mixed with the Native American's ground-corn puddings, Indian Corn Pudding was born. This savory treat is perfect with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and is best enjoyed warmed.
Not many people have ever heard of Indian Corn Pudding before, but if you're from New England or more specifically Rhode Island, there's a good chance you've stumbled upon it at grandma's house. This dessert dates back to the very first Thanksgiving with the mix of Puritan and Native American cultures. The Puritan's from England brought their love of puddings and mixed with the Native American's ground-corn puddings, Indian Corn Pudding was born. This savory treat is perfect with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and is best enjoyed warmed.
Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and butter a 2-quart baking dish. In a large pot, warm milk over medium-high heat until hot but not boiling. Whisk in cornmeal, stirring constantly, until it bubbles. Then reduce the heat to medium-low.
Stir in molasses, and whisk, cooking for 2 more minutes. Crack eggs into a medium bowl and lightly beat. Very slowly add 1/2 cup of hot cornmeal mixture to the eggs, whisking constantly. Pour tempered egg mixture into the pot, whisking constantly to keep the eggs from scrambling. Cook for 3 more minutes, then remove from the heat.
Stir in vanilla, raisins, sugar and ginger. Pour mixture into prepared pan, then place in a larger baking dish or roasting pan. Transfer to the oven and carefully pour hot water into the larger dish until it comes halfway up the sides of the smaller baking dish.
Bake until pudding has set, but still jiggles slightly in the center, for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or ice cream.
