Glorious!!!! (Apple Pie, Italian Dinner Casserole)

What an absolutely glorious day..  I love days like today..  slept in with a nice cozy fuzzy blanket,  got up, showered then downstairs to make a wonderful pot of coffee..  then enjoyed it with my homemade Caramel Vanilla Creamer..  Pinterest has piqued my frugal side again..  I forgot how much I adored making so much from scratch..  I think working and being so busy just made me lazy in that dept..  The weather of course inspires me to bake..  and it is perfect Apple Pie weather.. which is what I started out with this morning..  I started with the crust,  then put it in the fridge to chill and then did some cleaning and fall decorating.. still have some stuff in the garage that I need to bring upstairs..  maybe after dinner.. 

Apple Pie

Crust:

2 c all purpose flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp lemon zest
12 Tbsp(1 1/2 sticks)butter, cut into cubes, cold
1/2 c ice water
1 Tbsp lemon juice

Pie

6 to 8 apples, cored and slice(can peel if you want)
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 to 1/2c granulated sugar
1/4 to 1/2c brown sugar
1/4c flour
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 to 3 Tbsp butter

In a food processor put all the dry ingredients in and pulse for a few seconds to mix together,  add the butter cubes and pulse until a cornmeal consistency,  add the water and lemon juice and pulse until a dough forms,  can add more ice water 1 tsp at a time if to dry.   Divide in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour or longer..  Take out of refrigerator and let sit while you are prepping the apples..
Place the sliced apples in a big bowl and squeeze half a lemon over and toss to coat,  add the sugars, flour and spices.. (I never measure anything.. so these measurements are approximate..)  
after you get the apples in the bowl with the other ingredients you roll out the dough and place in the bottom of 9 inch pie plate,  put apples in crust and then roll out top crust and place over..  seal edges and crimp with either a fork or make a decorative edge..  brush with whipping cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.. bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes.. 

Italian Dinner Casserole

Olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 green and red, yellow or orange bell pepper, chopped
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
Chicken Italian Sausage
4 slices wheat bread, cubed
4 eggs, beaten
2/3 c skim milk
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup grated reduced-fat swiss cheese
1/2 cup grated reduced-fat extra sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated reduced-fat jalapeno cheddar cheese

In a large saute pan heat olive oil,  add the onions and bell peppers and cook for 3 to 5 minutes,  add the mushrooms and garlic,  cook another 3 minutes and add the sausage..  while that is cooking place the bread in the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan.  beat the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper and put aside..  when the meat mixture is done layer half of it,  half the egg mixture and half the cheese mixture,  then repeat.  cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 45 minutes,  uncover the last 5 minutes of cook time to allow the cheese to brown slightly..  enjoy with a salad and or steamed broccoli...  

I recreated the casserole from a Mexican Breakfast Casserole I found on Pinterest..  I of course added my twist and changed up some of the ingredients..  it is yummy!!!!