Simple as Pie - Cranberry Walnut Thanksgiving Pie

Every year this recipe saves this cook's time and sanity. So I republish it every year at Holiday time so someone new can find it. Enjoy.

When I first encountered this recipe, I scoffed. Nothing this easy could be all that good, I thought. The easy in this pie is no pastry to make. I was so wrong. Make this once and it will become a holiday favorite.

This recipe meets my standards (simple to make, no exotic ingredients, dynamite result). The sweet tart taste is divine. The pie has a texture like a soft shortbread cookie with fruit. It may more properly be called a Cobbler, but I digress.

For cooks who have to turn out good food for their family on short notice in a regular kind of way, this recipe is a godsend. I found this recipe in a regional cookbook. It came from Mary Yeaple of York Friends Meeting. Mary Yeaple says of this recipe "I always make two pies at a time because they don't last long."

Cranberry Walnut Pie

1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen Cranberries
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup chopped Walnuts
1 Egg
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup all purpose Flour
1/3 cup Butter, melted

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 9 inch pie plate and layer cranberries on the bottom. Sprinkle with brown sugar and nuts. In a bowl, beat egg until thick; gradually add sugar, beating until thoroughly blended. Stir in flour and melted butter; blend well. Pour or spoon over the cranberries. Do not stir. Do not worry if the batter does not cover each berry and nut. The high butter content and lack of leavening make the batter relax and become more liquid when heated. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into wedges and serve with ice cream or whipped topping. English custard sauce would be good too. Note: Be sure to use a 9 inch pie pan. Do not take the pie out too soon or it will be too soft. Let it cool completely before slicing. A pie server is useful.

Aunt Lola's Meatloaf

Years ago, Dear Abby published a Meat Loaf recipe that she billed as "the best."  Aunt Lola has got her recipe beat 9 ways to Sunday dinner. The secret is the topping. Try this recipe. It is simple and delicious. And you do not have to buy that expensive too salty onion soup mix to get flavor. 

Aunt Lola Lease's Meatloaf

Ingredients:

2/3 cup Bread Crumbs

1 cup liquid (milk, stock, or water)

1 and 1/2 pounds Ground Beef

1/4 cup chopped Onion

2 Eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon Salt

Topping Ingredients:

6 tablespoons Brown Sugar

2 teaspoons Dry Mustard

1/2 cup Catsup

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Beat the Eggs and then add the Liquid, Salt, Onions and Bread Crumbs. Mix a bit. Add the Meat. Mix again. Form into a loaf. Mix topping ingredients and spread over the meat. Bake for 45 minutes.

Note: I never make this with Milk. I use Stock or Water. I reduce the Brown Sugar to half. For best results mince onions finely.

Children like this a lot. And it slices well for Meat Loaf Sandwiches. Sure, you can add all sorts of embellishments like minced Green Pepper or a little Worcestershire Sauce in the Topping but why gild a Lily?