Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Giada's Dinner, Grammy's Dessert

I'm not a regular watcher of The Food Network, but I do tune in from time to time and I have a few favorite shows. One is Everyday Italian with Giada DeLaurentiis. Although I didn't see the episode where she made this dish, I wanted to give it a try, with a vegetarian twist. I present Quorn Cacciatore.

Obviously, it's supposed to be chicken cacciatore, but I used Quorn's Naked Chik'n Cutlets and they worked beautifully.


See, there's the Quorn hiding under there. This was delicious!! I highly recommend this dish. The recipe can be found here. Sadly, I heard that the show has ceased production. Giada & her husband are expecting a baby. I'm sure there will be reruns for a while, but I don't know how long the recipe database will be available - so check it out soon.
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For dessert (non-vegan) Lemon Meringue Pie - totally from scratch.

I don't know if there is a way to make vegan meringue, but since I still do eat eggs occasionally, I make traditional meringue. Sometimes weather (especially humidity) can affect baking results, but obviously the day I made this pie, the conditions were perfect. Look at the fluff of this meringue!


I have never bought a ready made pie shell. Actually, I lie. I bought a graham cracker one once and it was terrible. It was all crumbly and didn't cut well. And it was expensive! I was pissed. What was supposed to be a time saver ended up causing me a lot of frustration. Since then, I always make my own. The filling is also from scratch.

It turns out a pretty yellow colour, not a phony neon yellow, but a nice....well, lemon yellow.


Jim said this was the best lemon meringue pie he's ever had. Wow! What a compliment. I owe my thanks to my wonderful late grandmother. Years & years ago, she game me this recipe & tip sheet that she had picked up somewhere.









As you can see, it's been well used.










It's chockfull of useful information on how to make great pastry. When I was first learning how to bake pies & make pastry, this was my bible. When I take my time and do it properly, following what I've learned, my pastry always turns out wonderfully.

The lemon meringue pie recipe that I use is on the back. I looked to see if there was a year printed on this, but couldn't find anything. From the look of it, it could have been produced anywhere from late 40's to the 60's. All I remember my grandmother saying was "I've had that for years."

I know a lot of people that read this blog are vegan, but some aren't and if you would like this recipe, I'd be more than happy to share. Just lemme know.
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I just want to show you what I turn around and see most times while I'm typing up blog posts.


Simon likes to lay on the floor beside or behind my chair.

He's my editor. He checks my spelling and gives his approval. This one has been given the green light, so I'm now allowed to click "Publish Post".

15 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Giada a few years ago - she's really friendly and personable (and short, haha).

Aww, Simon!! :0D

Tanya Kristine said...

um. what happened to Simons nose?

Carrie™ said...

It's like a callus on his snout from his Halti. We've stopped using it and just put his collar on for walks. I'm hoping it will go away.

Giada's short?! I wouldn't have guessed.

Anonymous said...

That looks soooo yummy Carrie.You have done very well. Would have loved to have a piece of the pie..its my favorite.Keep up the good cooking.

Anonymous said...

Oh yes Simon is very handsome!! I noticed his nose too..have heard that happens to other dogs with the halti. Maybe its too tight?? I left the comment about the pie..It came up anonymous instead of my name..have no idea why.
Ellen

MeloMeals said...

Simon is sooo adorable!

That pie looks great.. I have some lightlife cutlets.. maybe I should make that dish for my kids. I have no clue what to do with them!

Tanya Kristine said...

I WISH we had quorn in America. our country sucks - in so many ways.

Shirley said...

The lemon meringue pie looks so good. Even though I'm trying not to buy eggs anymore I'd like the pie recipe please! Thank you.

Catherine Weber said...

Tanya, I've found quorn at my co-op before -- it was good, but it really gave me a stomachache! I've heard that can happen to some people.

AND, Carrie, I'd love your recipe, just to see how it compares with mine! Lemon merengue pie is one of Dan's favorites, and a frequent birthday dessert request. (It's hard to make a lemon merengue pie in August in the midwest, with all the heat and humidity!) Yours looks beautiful!

Vegan_Noodle said...

Wouldn't it be greatif there was a vegan version of meringue? I haven't had a lemon meringue pie since I was in grade school! Looks beautiful.

aTxVegn said...

Tanya - we have Quorn in Texas.

Carrie, your dinner and pie look really great. I don't esp. like to eat meringue, but I LOVE to whip it up!

Anonymous said...

I've been eating up lemon bars lately like crazy. I was thinking about doubling the filling and putting it in a pie pan like a lemon meringue pie (minus the meringue).

You know, lemon meringue pies were the first pie I ever learned how to make. I have fond memories of them.

Tanya Kristine said...

Hmm... iguess i never really looked.

poor Simey...i love him anyway. i almost considered giving kody away when i heard he had to have part of his eye lid removed. i cant have an ugly dog!!!

hahahaha....i funny. i'd love him even if he didn't have a head.

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Anonymous said...

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