PECAN CREAM PIE

Christmas Pot Luck at my cousin's home.  There were lots of goodies and a good time with White Elephant game with lots of 'trading' of gifts.  This pie was so easy but according to the tasters was really, really good.

PECAN CREAM PIE

1 baked 9 inch pie shell (use your best home-made or bought)

1 8 oz. brick cream cheese, softened

1 container Cool Whip (or whip 1 cup of sweetened heavy cream)

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup (only use the REAL good stuff)

1-1/2 cups chopped pecans

Cream brown sugar and cream cheese and maple syrup together.  Fold in Cool Whip.  Add chopped pecans.  Blend well.  Pour into prepared crust.  Refrigerate at least 6 to 8 hours before serving.

EGG, HAM AND CHEESE BREAKFAST SLIDERS

I had a good friend come for breakfast on the weekend. I like to try new things so I searched for breakfast ideas and came up with breakfast sliders.  You can make these the night before and bake the next morning for an easy breakfast also.  These turned out really nice.

BREAKFAST SLIDERS

1 package rolls (I used Sara Lee Savory) Kings Hawaiian Rolls are a good idea too
6 eggs
8-10 slices thin-sliced ham
1 cup shredded cheese (I used pepper jack)
Melted Butter

Slice rolls horizontally.  Place bottom in a 9 x 13 pan.  Brush with melted butter.  Scramble 6 eggs as you would normally.  Spread over buttered rolls.  Sprinkle shredded cheese over.  Slice ham and sprinkle on top of cheese.  Place tops on the rolls and brush with additional butter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  

KEY LIME PIE

Another pot luck this past weekend.  This time with a St. Patrick's Day theme.  I thought a key lime pie might be 'green' enough to honor the occasion.  I had lots of compliments from folks.

KEY LIME PIE

Crust:

1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
5 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:

2 cans sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup sour cream
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup key lime juice (I used regular lime juice)
1 teaspoon lime zest

Whipped Cream:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

To prepare crust mix ingredients together until crumbs are moist.  Pat down in a 9 inch pie pan.  Chill for 30 minutes.

To prepare filling, stir together condensed milk, sour cream, egg yolks until blended.  Add lime juice and zest and mix with mixer until smooth.  Pour into chilled crust.

Bake for 15 minutes until crust is lightly browned.  Do not overcook.  Cool completely.

Combine whipping cream, sugar and vanilla and mix on high speed until peaks form.  Top pie with whipping cream.  Chill for 3 to 4 hours or overnight.

STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE TRIFLE

A recent pot luck around Valentine's Day made me look for something appropriate.  I landed on this dessert from several recipes I had seen.  Yummy stuff.

STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE TRIFLE

1 angel food cake (home made or store bought)
2 pints frozen strawberries with sugar
2 8 oz. packages cream cheese
2 8 oz. tubs of Cool Whip
2 cups powdered sugar

I used 2 loaves of angel food cake in this.  Cut up the cake into cubes.  Thaw out the strawberries.  Whip the softened cream cheese with the sugar.  Put a layer of cake followed by thawed strawberries with juice, follow with a layer of cream cheese, then a layer of Cool Whip.  Repeat for 3 layers ending with Cool Whip on top.  Slice some fresh strawberries on top for garnish.  Refrigerate several hours or overnight.