Lemon Bars – #southerncomfort

by Bette Lee Crosby | Oct 21, 2015 | Taste of the South

Lemon Bars – #southerncomfort

Gotta love the tangy goodness of this dessert and simple enough to make for a book club gathering!
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
4 large eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Powdered sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 13- x 9-inch pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment paper, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.

Stir together 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.

Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a large bowl until smooth; whisk in granulated sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir together baking powder and remaining 1/4 cup flour; whisk into egg mixture. Pour mixture over hot baked crust.

Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until filling is set. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes. Lift from pan, using foil sides as handles. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 30 minutes). Remove foil, and cut into bars; sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Fried Strawberry Pie – #southerncomfort

by Bette Lee Crosby | Sep 30, 2015 | Taste of the South

Fried Strawberry Pie – #southerncomfort

These are worth the effort and time. I have had these and they are too good! This is a treat that people will be raving about the next time you serve them.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh strawberries, mashed
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
Vegetable oil
Powdered sugar
Directions
Combine first 3 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring strawberry mixture to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute or until thickened. Cool completely.

Roll 1 pie crust to press out fold lines; cut into 9 circles with a 3-inch round cutter.

Roll circles to 3 1/2-inch diameter; moisten edges with water.

Spoon 2 teaspoons strawberry mixture in the center of each circle; fold over, pressing edges to seal. Repeat with remaining pie crust and strawberry mixture.

Place pies in a single layer on a baking sheet, and freeze at least 1 hour.

Pour oil to a depth of 1 inch into a large heavy skillet; heat to 350°. Fry pies, in batches, 1 minute on each side or until golden. Drain on paper towels; sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Classic Mint Julep – #southerncomfort

by Bette Lee Crosby | Sep 23, 2015 | Taste of the South

Classic Mint Julep – #southerncomfort

Here is the classic recipe. There are many variations. I even saw a sweet tea variation on the Southern Living Recipe page. Are you a classic kind of person or do you like variations? Which variation is your favorite?
Ingredients
3 fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon Mint Simple Syrup
Crushed ice
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) bourbon
1 (4-inch) cocktail straw or coffee stirrer
1 fresh mint sprig
Powdered sugar
Directions
Place mint leaves and Mint Simple Syrup in a chilled julep cup. Gently press leaves against cup with back of spoon to release flavors. Pack cup tightly with crushed ice; pour bourbon over ice. Insert straw, place mint sprig directly next to straw, and serve immediately. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.