Flaky Maple Yogurt Pie Crust

img_6784-1This is a classic pie crust recipe that uses 1/3 less butter because we add our raw yogurt. The yogurt gives a tangy flavor and lightness to the crust. We also use Maple syrup instead of sugar to give more depth in flavor as well as for health conscious reasons. Our bodies absorb the sugar from maple syrup much slower than from other simple sugars, (i.e. honey or refined sugar). I just love this crust; besides tasting amazing and standing out, it is simple to make! I’m not one to fuss in the kitchen. I use one bowl for this recipe and only have to handle it during the rolling out part. Anyone can make this! Use this recipe for all your favorite in season fruit, pumpkin, nut or savory pies. I especially love it with my Maple Blueberry Pie filling!

Ingredients:

  1. 3 c Flourimg_6792-1
  2. 1 tsp Salt
  3. 1/4 c Raw Yogurt (or store-bought Greek Yogurt)
  4. 1/4 c Maple Syrup
  5. 1 c Cold Butter
  6. 6-8 tbs Ice Water

 

Directions:

Pre heat oven to 425 F. Cut butter into small cubes and place in freezer for 15- 20 min. It is important for butter to remain as cold as possible during process which will allow for flaky crust.  img_6793-1

Using food processor (if you do not have one place ingredients in large bowl and use pastry cutter to combine), sift flour into bowl of processor. Add salt , maple syrup, yogurt and chilled butter cubes. Pulse while adding ice water a Tbs at a time until mixture is roughly starting to pull together. Do not over process.img_6790-1 img_6791-1

Empty bowl onto plastic wrap, cover into ball and place in fridge for 30 min. Then place on floured surface, cut in half and roll out into rough circle. Using roller, roll end of flattened disk around rolling-pin and unroll into pie dish. Press to pie dish form. img_6787-1

Place desired filling in pie shell, and if desired roll out remaining half disk and pace on top cutting slits in center and cutting off excess pie dough from edges with sharp knife. Crimp edges as desired to close. Bake at 425 for approx 40 min using foil of cover over pie edges to keep from burning.

Fluffy Power Waffles

img_6596These are the best we have made!  Our poor little waffle maker has been getting a workout. I added cottage cheese and my raw yogurt to a standard pancake recipe, as well as almond flour for a high protein waffle that tastes great and is lighter than any waffle I have had. If you have never put cottage cheese into pancake or waffle mix try it! As the batter cooks the cottage cheese curds create little pockets of gooey  goodness. You can add yogurt or cottage cheese to any standard store-bought box pancake mix  for extra nutrition. All my kid’s love this recipe. Freeze extra waffles and pop in toaster for quick breakfast later.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp sugar img_6534
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 c Almond flour
  • 1 c milk
  • 1/2 c yogurt  (raw or store-bought)
  • 1/2 c cottage cheese

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Directions:

Heat up waffle iron or skillet. Sift dry ingredients into large bowl. Make a well in sifted dry ingredients. Place eggs in well and beat with fork. Add yogurt and cottage cheese to egg mixture and combine. Slowly add milk as you combine the wet and dry ingerdients. Mix will be lumpy. Add more milk, (1/4 c at a time), if batter appears too thick. Using REAL butter prep hot skillet or waffle iron. Pour batter onto prepared hot surface. Flip pancakes when bubbles appear at surface, or open waffle iron when steaming has finished. Serve with favorite toppings and enjoy!

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Cultured Chocolate Chip Cookies

Raw yogurt chocolate chip cookies, What?? I use my cultured yogurt in EVERYTHING- and it makes it all better. You wont have the health benefits of eating raw yogurt with these cookies, but it makes the standard cookie dough recipe more chewy and interesting, not cake like or dense but light and chewy! This recipe is created to freeze a bunch to share later- about 4 dozen! You can cut recipe in half. See my recipe below-

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Ingredients:

4 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
2 cups (4 sticks) butter
1 1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 c brown suga
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 c cultured yogurt
4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F. Sift together flour, salt and baking soda. Cream sugars and room temperature butter on high for 2 min until light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time until blended on low, then add yogurt. Add vanilla. slowly add dry ingredients until incorporated. If dough seems too sticky add 2 tbsp flour. Fold in chocolate chips. Drop by tbs rounds on parchment prepared baking sheets. Cook 8-10 minutes until golden brown. Drink with milk and enjoy!!