Tear Jerker Pie...

Pistachio Cream pie with sweetened strawberries and cool whip. I may just have to dub this one "The Tear Jerker". The reason being because after I sat the dessert plates at the table and walked back into the kitchen I suddenly hear Anthony boohooing. I hollered out at him asking if it was really that bad and his reply was, "No Mom, it is really that good! As a matter of fact this is my new favorite pie and I want it every year on my birthday!" Apparently I am a darn good pie maker. Yay for team Bazan! :)


1 prepared graham cracker pie shell OR if making your own you will need;
2 cups plus 2 T. of graham cracker crumbs (reserve 2 T. until later for topping)
1 stick of melted butter

Mix together and pressed into a pie dish.

2 Packages of pistachio Jello brand pudding
2 cups of cold milk
3/4 cup of cool whip

Whip together till creamy, thickened and smooth and pour into pie crust.
Refrigerate for 2 or more hours.

Slice strawberries and sprinkle with sugar. Set aside for topping pie slices.
Once you slice pie add strawberries, a spoon of cool whip, and then sprinkle graham cracker crumbs for the grand finale. ENJOY!!!

HEALTH TIPS:
If you are trying to cut sugar and/or fat use the reduced fat graham cracker crust, use the sugar free pistachio pudding, skim milk, sugar free cool whip, and splenda to sprinkle of the strawberries.

Stromboli

 Pepperoni sausage hamburger and Italian cheese stromboli! This was super simple and very yummy. Just brown off 1/4 pound of mild sausage with 1/4 pound of hamburger, drain fat. Take a tube of pillsbury french loaf bread and roll it open on a floured countertop to prevent sticking. Smear 1/4 cup of jarred pizza sauce on top of dough and sprinkle with onion powder and garlic salt. Sprinkle meat mixture on top of sauce then lay pepperoni slices on top of that. Then spread Italian cheese blend on that then roll the entire loaf up. Seal the outer edges and bake in the oven at 400* for about 35 minutes. I like to brush the loaf with melted garlic butter after I remove it from the oven. ENJOY!!!

Tonight's salmon tacos

This is what was on the dinner plate tonight. My plate was much smaller and held only one salmon taco but it was very satisfying! The pink salmon used tonight was from my husbands healing waters fishing charter. I think it made it even more enjoyable knowing that he caught supper. :) 

"The standing O"

Banana Cream Pretzel Pie with homemade caramel!!
I will post the recipe later for you all! It was fantastic!!!

Banana Cream Pretzel Pie

Crust:

2 c. crushed pretzel sticks

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

9 T. melted butter

Mix above ingredients and press into a pie pan or 9 inch spring form pan. Bake in oven at 350* for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Set on cooling rack and make the caramel as follows;

Caramel:

In a small heavy skillet bring the granulated sugar (sugar/splenda blend) and 3 T. of water to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Then boil without stirring, but swirling the pan occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Let cool for 2 minutes then whisk in the remaining 2 T. of butter, the remaining 1/4 of whipping cream, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Pour half of this caramel directly on top of the crust and let cool down for 3 to 5 minutes. Reserve the remaining caramel for later. While this is cooling prepare the following;

Pie Filling:

2 small boxes of Jello brand banana cream pudding

1 and 1/2 c. of milk

3/4 c. of cool whip

Whisk together till well blended and there are no lumps in pie filling. Slice 2 large bananas and arrange on top of the caramel crust, then pour pie filling directly on top. Refrigerate until you are ready to slice and serve.

Top with fresh banana slices, left behind crumbs from your crust, cool whip, and some of the reserved caramel. ENJOY!!! 

Quick and easy

Sandwich night in the house of Bazan! I was busy making tamales today
so I wanted to do something quick and easy. Italian subs, lays potato
chips, fresh honeydew, and red grapes. I threw together a banana cream
pretzel pie for dessert! My kids actually gave applause!!!! I guess
you could say that they were very satisfied! :) I may have to nickname
this one "The standing o".

Tamales

This is what I have been busy doing for the past couple of days. I am sorry that I have not kept you all up to speed on our meals. I will try to do better. :) I have made 18 dozen tamales over the past two days! I made some bean and cheese ones that turned out simply amazing! I make some very good refried beans but this batch was extra yummy for some reason! I like to add a slither of jalapeno to them for a little kick!

Birthday Supper

For my birthday supper I made snow crab legs with drawn butter, grilled summer squash with sweet onions, and roasted red potatoes. It was fantastico!!! I bought cupcakes for dessert but my kids were begging for the Take 5 pie. I must admit that it didn't take much arm twisting on their part before I caved in and made another pie. ;) This was my very first birthday pie.  Happy Birthday to me!!!