Good evening! It is 9:13 p.m., and I haven't been home long from preparing dessert for tomorrow night's meal at church. Lemon bars - no not from a mix, but from scratch! I can't remember if I have given you this recipe or not -- but if it was early last year, it will be very hard to find -- so I will give it to you tonight! The aroma was so wonderful. I've put them in the warming oven, no not turned on, and put a note on the door to "Please don't turn on the warming oven!" Tomorrow we make "Fudge Pies" and finish the slaw, bake the chicken and sweet potato fries. Daryle will fry the fish, rest of the fries, and the hush puppies! Together - it should be an awesome meal.
Talk about awesome! I attended a "Tyler Celebrity Chef Cooking Class" last Saturday. Oh my goodness - the chef was Stephen Pyles, a world famous chef that has appeared on TV and won numerous awards. He has wonderful cookbooks - (I want the "Tamales" next),has opened several restaurants, the latest two in Dallas. They are "Stephen Pyles" and the other is "Samar's" which is more Asyian and European inspired. He announced that his next restaurant would be a "Southwest" themed restaurant and one of my goals this year is to eat at one of his restaurants! What impressed me most - besides the awesome food - was the fact that he is so personable and does not have a "celebrity attitude" but was so nice - he was getting paid regardless - but the friendliness came from a genuine person - one you wished you could know better and learn more from!!
One of the things I learned (among several - and I consider myself a pretty good cook) is that you can roast bananas! You place them on a baking sheet and place in an oven of about 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. The peel will turn black and the meat is soft, sweet, and delicious. Thanks Stephen for sharing that secret. I make lots of banana bread and always wonder about putting the raw banana in it -- I can't wait to roast my bananas and make the bread! I can only imagine how good it will be!! I just hope he will forgive me for sharing his secret! I would love to share his recipes, especially his "Black Bean-Roast Banana Mash" or his "Sweet Potato Vichyssoise"(which was my very favorite!!!) - but I don't think that would be professional - so you will just have to sometimes enjoy the dishes of his that I make! I just trust the Woman's Forum Group will have the foresight to bring Mr. Pyle back and back and back!!!
Here is the recipe I promised for Lemon Bars: (Oh - we just made 6 recipes of it - and tomorrow we will finish with 6 Fudge Pies - which I've already given to you!
JEREMY'S LEMON BARS (Actually these are Jeremy's grandmother's recipe and we loved when his birthday rolled around and she brought them at the bank!- We miss you Jeremy - especially your grandmother's Lemon Bars!)
2 Sticks real butter, softened
2 Cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 Cups Sugar
1 heaping tablespoon flour
1 Tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 eggs
4 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 tsp. Lemon zest - (I added this but think it adds to the flavor)
DIRECTIONS:
Combine butter, 2 cups flour, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar and mix well. After very pliable - press into 9X13 pan. Press mixture up about 1/2 inch on the sides. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degreees, or until slightly brown. Lower oven to 300 degrees.
Now - mix well together: 2 cups sugar, 1 heaping tablespoon flour, baking powder, eggs and lemon juice (with zest). Pour into crust and bake at 300 degreees until very lightly browned and the batter is set and does not jiggle. Cut into small squares and sit back and enjoy the praise!!!
Did you know that if you will partially freeze meat (for example for stir fry dishes)it will slice easily into thin strips? Try it the next time you are doing a great stir fry or fajitas! Even if it is "fresh from the market" - stick it in the freezer for a little while!
How many of you have gone to Fresh - Brookshire's awesome new concept? Wonderful - I think. Of course - we went opening day (could not wait) - actually Thursday evening and I only got to see half of it. Can't wait to go back and tour the last half! Kathy went at lunch on Friday and got tacos. Oh my goodness - mine was the pulled pork (first on the list), with a tomatillo sauce over it, and it was without no doubt the best taco I have had in this town! Price was right too - only $2.25! I want more!!! Their breads are wonderful -- the aroma alone will make you hungry. I absolutely wish them the best and hope they will be here for years and years!!! In my opinion - soon they will rival Central Market in Dallas.
I found all of these wonderful "Cooking Tips" and hope to share a couple with you in each blog. Better finish this up tonight - have to get up early and then at noon I will leave and work myself down - hoping I will please someones palette Wednesday evening!!
Have a great tomorrow - or today if you are reading sometime other than evening of the 15th! I know each of you know someone you "should do for" or "want to do for", or "needs something you can do for them" -- so if it is something that will "play it forward" -- DO IT! May God bless you in every good deed you do!
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