Bobs Chili My Apple Pie

Bob decided he was hungry for chili this morning. He threw it all tog early and let it simmer for several hours. Now I believe almost everyone know how to make chili so I won't go into detail. His chili is always different but always delicious!

I was thinking that I need to talk a bit more about baking. I love to bake and it is my specialty. In 1960 I was a Junior Winner of the Pillsbury Bake Off from Wyoming. Boy, was that a long time ago! My winning recipe was a Sour Cream Souffle. Believe it or not.......I haven't made it since!  I had to make it so many times while practicing for the Bake Off.......held in Washington DC that year that I decided to never make it again! Someday I will. 

I love to bake almost anything but have hit a real stumbling block........almost all recipes for cakes, pies, etc are for 8 people. Since it is just Bob and I, before a pastry is finished we are sick of eating it and end up throwing half of it out.  So, I have made a real effort in cutting all recipes in half and thus far they are turning out pretty good.  Today, I made a small apple pie.  I made my own pie dough but if you choose to use the ones already prepared (that come in a roll) they are almost as good as homemade and definitely much easier. I do keep them on hand to throw tog something like a chicken pot pie at the last minute. I peeled and cored 3 apples into a bowl. If your apples aren't good tart apples, add a sprinkling of lemon juice.  I cut the apples into slices and added a sprinkling of flour for thickening, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, dash of salt, and about 2/3 cup brown sugar. Stir it all up and set aside. Roll out your dough the size of a 7 x 7 pan. I have a shallow casserole that I use. Dump the apples in and dot with lots of good butter and roll out your second piece of pie dough to top off the apples. Seal up your  edges all the way around.......nothing fancy.......more important how it tastes than how it looks. Unless of course, you are taking it to a dinner or something. I brush the top with a little cream, sprinkle sugar over and put in oven for 55 min at 400 degrees.  Don't you just love the smell of apple pie baking?  Especially on a cold day.  This recipe makes about 4 servings. I already had mine, he can have his when he wakes up from his daily nap in the recliner!