olive oilHeard that question a zillion times….Is there a $90 difference between the $10 bottle of wine and the $100 one. My answer “Whatever your pocket book can afford…”  (Personally  anything over $15 is beyond my wallet and taste buds)

What about olive oil?   Here is a great article and wonderful web site from California Olive Ranch. Next time you are out pick up a bottle you will not be disappointed http://consumers.californiaoliveranch.com/frequently-asked-questions/filtered-vs-unfiltered-olive-oil-whats-the-difference/

and once you have your bottle in hand try this amazing Greek sauce ..perfect for grilled fish.

Geek Sauce. (Its so smart it will dance with your food)

3 ounces olive oil

2 ounces fresh lemon juice

half sweet onion grated fine

1 T Oregano

1 T flat leaf parsley

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and bring to a slow boil for 3 minutes

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pie crustOne thing I have learnt…Having foundational principals in my life are as important as crusts are to pies…more than important “It is everything” (see perfect recipe below)
How many different foundations have I tried to build in my life? From work, play, hobbies, collectibles (The center pieces of my life that I thought I had to have..the things that shows how important I am .

I have not perfected it  yet however  I have learnt having a cornerstone in life that follows the agenda shared in the a little book called the bible is the only way to weather life’s storms.

The single most important decision anyone must make is who and what to build life on?

Like having the most amazing pie filling with a lousy crust that is the life without a  foundation. …I lived it for 40 years and my building was not safe..

Luke 6:47-49 Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like.  He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.  But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.


Perfect Pie Crust

INGREDIENTS
All Butter Crust for Sweet and Savory Pies (Pâte Brisée)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, very-cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
4 to 8 Tbsp ice water
METHOD
1 Cut the sticks of butter into 1/2-inch cubes and place in the freezer for 15 minutes to an hour (the longer the better) so that they become thoroughly chilled.
Dough is ready to shape.
2 Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor; pulse to mix. Add butter and pulse 6 to 8 times, until mixture resembles coarse meal, with pea size pieces of butter. Add ice water 1 Tbsp at a time, pulsing until mixture just begins to clump together. If you pinch some of the crumbly dough and it holds together, it’s ready. If the dough doesn’t hold together, add a little more water and pulse again.
3 Remove dough from machine and place in a mound on a clean surface. Gently shape into 2 discs. Knead the dough just enough to form the discs, do not over-knead. You should be able to see little bits of butter in the dough. These small chunks of butter are what will allow the resulting crust to be flaky. Sprinkle a little flour around the discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour, and up to 2 days.
4 Remove one crust disk from the refrigerator. Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes in order to soften just enough to make rolling out a bit easier. Roll out with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch circle; about 1/8 of an inch thick. As you roll out the dough, check if the dough is sticking to the surface below. If necessary, add a few sprinkles of flour under the dough to keep the dough from sticking. Carefully place onto a 9-inch pie plate. Gently press the pie dough down so that it lines the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Use a pair of kitchen scissors to trim the dough to within 1/2 inch of the edge of the pie dish.
5 Add filling to the pie.
6 Roll out second disk of dough, as before. Gently place onto the top of the filling in the pie. Pinch top and bottom of dough rounds firmly together. Trim excess dough with kitchen shears, leaving a 3/4 inch overhang. Fold the edge of the top piece of dough over and under the edge of the bottom piece of dough, pressing together. Flute edges using thumb and forefinger or press with a fork. Score the top of the pie with four 2-inch long cuts, so that steam from the cooking pie can escape.

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