Mini Apricot Pie (Filling)

Mini Pies!  Filling is easy to make.  I usually buy premade crust.  So all you have to do is fill them and bake.  You can use any fruit actually.  Add the desired amount of sugar and cornstarch.  Read from bakers about the correct amount but it ends up being to your liking.  Some like them sweeter, some don't.  Some like more liquid (or thicker liquid), others want more fruit.

Filling for Apricot Pie
Ingredients: 
Prep Time: 10 min      Bake Time: 30 min
Serving Size: 6 mini pies
1 lb apricot (fresh apricots sliced)
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
a dash of salt (little less than 1/8 tsp)

Directions: 
Mix the apricot, sugar, cornstarch, and a dash of salt.  Fill your mini pies evenly.

Bake at 375F for 30 minutes.

*Note: Apricot pie is a bit tart.  If you want, you could add more than 1/4 cup of sugar.
*Note: I did much reading to see how to make a pie less messy, not too watery.  Read debates about using cornstarch vs flour vs minute tapioca.  Finally decided to use cornstarch (I don't like cornstarch but flour makes the final product grainy white).

Enjoy!!

Simple Strawberry Smoothie (No Yogurt/Ice Cream)

This morning, we were eating breakfast. The basket of strawberries were a bit sour. Told hubby that we did not need to keep eating them. What to do with sour strawberries?

That's when I whipped out my mini smoothie maker. It's been a while since I've used it.

It's about the same size as the magic bullet. I love it since it doesn't take up much space and it's super easy to clean.

Simple Strawberry Smoothie
Prep Time: 10 min    
Ingredients:
1 cup strawberries (3/4 cup to 1 cup)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup crushed ice (unless you have a heavy duty blender in which case it doesn't matter)
2 Tbsp honey

Directions:
Remove the stems of the strawberries. Placed the strawberries in. Add the milk. Pulse.

Add crushed ice and pulse it. If the consistency of your smoothie is too watery, add more crushed ice and pulse again.

Lastly, add the honey (or sugar). I like to do one tablespoon at a time. Sweetness is really to taste. You can always put more but you can't take out the sweetness if you go overboard.

ENJOY!!!

*Notes:
1) If you want a thicker smoothie, you can add a half cup of yogurt or ice cream.

2) You can make substitute the strawberries with whatever fruit you have on hand. Make a banana smoothie or mango smoothie or _____.

3) I highly recommend that you buy a mini blender. They are so useful!! You can also mince garlic quickly by pulsing it too. Easy clean up is huge plus!!