A Sweet Turnover for Mom

To celebrate Mom, start Mother’s Day off with a little pampering from the heart! Serve her breakfast in bed with a menu of heart-shaped turnovers, sweet breadsticks, juice, and a floral bouquet side. For ALL that she does (for your entire life without praise), and ALL that she is (the depth of which is not explored until later life), a few recipes are outlined below. Add her favorite juice, fresh or cut fruit garnishing, and your personalized decor touches to the breakfast tray. And don’t forget the flowers….

P.S. Remember to drop a card to your grandmother, aunt, teacher, in-law, caregiver, or that special someone who has influenced your life or been a mother figure.

Strawberry turnover ingredients & directions:
(alternative apple filling ingredients at bottom)

• 1 16 oz. package of fresh strawberries
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2-3 tbsp. cornstarch
• Pre-packed pie dough in the grocer’s freezer section

Cut off strawberry stems and hull (scoop out and discard white flesh). Take 3/4 of strawberries and place in blender for a few seconds. Take remaining strawberries and cut into small chunks. Melt butter and strawberry mixture together on low heat. Add sugar, water and lemon juice and bring to a simmer. Add a tablespoon or two of simmering strawberry filling to cornstarch on the side. Mix well and then pour cornstarch mixture back into pan. Let simmer a few minutes more and then remove from heat.  Let cool for about 15-20 minutes.

Cut pie dough with heart-shaped cookie cutter and then place cut out shapes in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Place a tablespoon (depending on turnover size) of filling in middle. Place another heart shaped cut out on top. Seal edges of heart shapes with fork. Poke hole in the middle of turnover pie. Place turnovers back in refrigerator for about another 10 minutes. Begin to heat oil (vegetable or other preference).  When oil is ready remove chilled pies from refrigerator and fry until golden brown on both sides. If desired, dust with powdered sugar and serve.

Alternative apple filling ingredients: (same directions apply)

• 4 medium tart apples, peeled and cut into small chunks
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 3 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¼ cup water
• 1-2 teaspoons cornstarch

E-Z Breadsticks ingredients & directions:

• 4 Squares of unsweetened baking chocolate
• Package of raw sesame seeds

Homemade breadsticks are fussy and take all day for the yeast to rise, so to speed things up, purchase a box of plain breadsticks (try an international variety if available). Roast sesame seeds for 2 minutes in a frying pan with a touch of oil over brisk heat, set aside to cool. Now, melt chocolate in a double boiler. Spread chocolate on one end of the breadsticks with a brush, coating 1/3 of the breadstick. Immediately sprinkle with sesame seeds so that they adhere to warm chocolate. Place breadsticks in refrigerator 15 minutes for the chocolate to set up. Serve upright in a mason jar, antique container or glassware, with the chocolate ends showing. For an organic hint, loosely tie the breadsticks together with natural twine.

Reference material taken in part from the following sources: parentingthroughschoolyears.com and contesetdelices.com

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