Roasted Strawberry Basil Cream Pie From Kale Caramel Food

ROASTED STRAWBERRY & BASIL CREAM PIE FROM KALE & CARAMEL

Steps:

• Make the Whipped Cream:.
• In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat. When steam rises, slightly crumple the basil leaves, add them to the cream, and reduce the heat to low. Stir and compress the basil with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes. Do not let the mixture boil. Remove from the heat and let the basil steep for 30 minutes, covered. When the basil has finished steeping, strain the cream and discard the basil.
• Let the basil-infused cream cool, then whip with the honey until soft peaks form. Set aside in the fridge.
• Make the Crust:.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Crush the graham crackers in a food processor or blender until they have a sandy texture. Don't over-blend into a flour. Pour the crumbs into a large bowl and mix in the sugar, butter, and salt. Mix until you have a wet sand-like blend.
• Press the mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and let cool completely on a rack.
• Make the Filling:.
• With the oven still at 375°F, cut the strawberries in half. Place in a large bowl and toss gently with the sugar. Arrange them on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or blender, puree, and set aside to cool completely.
• Whip the heavy cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Set aside.
• In a second bowl, whip the cream cheese, cooled strawberry puree, and honey until completely smooth, about 5 minutes. Fold the whipped cream into the strawberry cream cheese mixture until incorporated and even in color.
• Assemble the Pie:.
• Once the pie crust is completely cool, spread the strawberry cream cheese mixture into the bottom of the pan. Spoon the basil whipped cream in a smaller circle over the top of the strawberry filling, leaving a 2-inch border.
• Garnish with fresh strawberry halves and small basil leaves. Chill, covered in plastic wrap, for at least 2 hours.
• Slice and serve with extra strawberries and a sprinkle of minced fresh basil leaves and small, whole leaves for garnish.
• Recipe courtesy of Kale & Caramel by Lily Diamond. Get the book here: http://www.kaleandcaramel.com/book.

BAKED CANDIED YAMS - SOUL FOOD STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Wash the yams.
• Peel, then chop the yams ( make sure that they are about ½ inch thick.
• Place the yams into a 9x13 bake dish.
• Place the butter into a medium sized pot, then melt it over medium heat.
• Once the butter is melted, sprinkle in the white & brown sugar, ground cinnamon,ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and ground clove.
• Turn the stove off, mix the ingredients, then add in the vanilla extract.
• Next, cover the bake dish with foil, then bake the yams in the oven for 30 minutes.
• Pour the candied mixture over the yams, and try to coat all the yams with the candied mixture.
• Remove the yams from the oven, and baste them with the candied mixture.
• Cover the yams, and bake them for another 15-20 minutes.
• Remove the yams from the oven, and let them sit for about 10 minutes before serving.

FRESH SPINACH & BASIL PIE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzerella and 3 eggs. Mix well!
• Stir in chopped spinach, onion, tomato, salt, spices and fresh basil.
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella into one 9" pie crust, then fill with cheese/spinach/egg, etc. mixture. There may be some left over -- do not overfill!
• Top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella.
• Give yourself a pat on the back -- you're doing okay!
• Carefully place remaining (thawed and flattened) frozen pie crust on top and pinch edges with a fork. Remember to cut a few slits in the top crust or your pie will explode!
• Place on the middle rack of your nicely pre-heated oven and let it hang out for about 30 minutes. When the half-hour is up, pull the little guy out and brush egg white on the top surface (this will not only make your pie nice and shiny, but also very happy).
• Pop back in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the top is a nice golden brown.
• Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
• Enjoy!
• note: This recipe happens to be vegetarian, but I'm certain it would be delicious with some sausage in the mix. Feel free to experiment!

STRAWBERRY & BASIL SPA WATER

Steps:

• Fill a pitcher with water.
• Add washed basil and strawberry stems.
• Let sit until the water takes on a pink hue.
• Drink!