About Rene Carter

Pecan Cheesecake Pie

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Pecan-Cheesecake-Pie
This indulgent treat has layers of creamy cheesecake batter, a classic pecan pie filling, and crunchy pecans.

Ingredients

  • 1 single piecrust
  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
  • 4 large eggs, divided
  • 3/4 cup sugar, divided
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 cup light corn syrup

Preparation

  1. Fit piecrust into a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions. Fold edges under, and crimp.
  2. Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and salt at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture into piecrust; sprinkle evenly with chopped pecans.
  3. Whisk together corn syrup and remaining 3 eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tsp. vanilla; pour mixture over pecans. Place pie on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake at 350° on lowest oven rack 50 to 55 minutes or until pie is set. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour or until completely cool. Serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 2 days.

Quick and Easy Ways with Pecans

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Quick-and-Easy-Ways-with-Pecans
Pecans are a wonderful fall ingredient, whether in a tasty pecan pie or in a sweet praline. But we have created new recipes to use pecans for all courses from appetizers all the way to dessert.

Easy Pecan Recipes

Pecan-Cheese Crisps

Preheat oven to 400°. Stir together 1 1⁄2 cups (6 oz.) freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and 3⁄4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans in a small bowl. Spoon cheese mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets, forming mounds. Flatten each into a 2-inch round, creating an even thickness. Bake 7 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool 15 minutes or until crisp. Store between layers of wax paper in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Preheat oven to 375°. Stir together 1 (14-oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped; 1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained; 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened; 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup chopped toasted pecans; 1⁄2 cup each sour cream and mayonnaise; 2 garlic cloves, pressed; and 1⁄2 tsp. ground red pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon spinach mixture into a shallow 1 1⁄2-qt. baking dish; top with an additional 1⁄2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden. Serve with pita chips.

Honey-Pecan Butterscotch Sauce

Bring 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, 1⁄2 cup butter, 1⁄4 cup milk, and 1⁄4 cup honey to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly; boil, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool 30 minutes. Stir in 3⁄4 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans. Serve over hot apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream.

Jalapeño-Pecan Mustard Butter

Stir together 1 cup softened butter; 1⁄3 cup finely chopped toasted pecans; 2 Tbsp. minced red onion; 3 Tbsp. Creole mustard; 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced; and 1 garlic clove, pressed, in a small bowl. Spread on hot biscuits filled with ham or on a grilled flank steak sandwich, toss with oven-roasted new potatoes, or stir into hot cooked stone-ground grits. Store, covered, in refrigerator up to 1 week.

Pecan Quesadilla

Sprinkle 1 side of 1 (8-inch) soft taco-size flour tortilla with 1⁄3 cup (1 1⁄2 oz.) shredded Havarti cheese and 2 Tbsp. chopped toasted pecans. Fold in half over filling. Cook quesadilla in a lightly greased skillet over medium-high heat 2 minutes on each side or until cheese melts and tortilla is golden brown. Cut into wedges, and serve with pear preserves.

Pecan-Chutney Cheese Spread

Process 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened; 1 (9-oz.) jar mango chutney; 1 Tbsp. curry powder; and 1⁄2 tsp. dry mustard in a food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Stir in 1⁄4 cup minced green onions and 1 cup each finely chopped toasted pecans and toasted sweetened flaked coconut. Transfer to a large bowl; cover and chill 24 hours. Shape cheese mixture into 2 (6-inch) logs. Stir together 1 cup chopped toasted pecans and 1⁄2 cup chopped fresh parsley in a shallow dish; roll logs in pecan mixture. Serve with gingersnaps, sliced Gala apples and Bartlett pears, and assorted crackers.

Pecan-Crusted Tilapia

Process 1⁄2 cup pecan halves in a food processor until finely chopped. Sprinkle 4 (6-oz.) tilapia fillets with 1 1⁄2 tsp. seasoned salt and 1⁄2 tsp. freshly ground pepper. Dredge fish in finely chopped pecans. Melt 3 Tbsp. butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add fish, and cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until well browned and fish flakes with a fork. Serve with lemon wedges.

Pecan Clusters

Preheat oven to 300°. Toss 3 cups coarsely chopped pecans with 3 Tbsp. melted butter; spread in a 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Bake 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Microwave 6 (2-oz.) chocolate candy coating squares in a 1-qt. microwave-safe glass bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 2 to 3 minutes or until melted. Stir in pecans and 1 1⁄2 cups chopped chocolate-coated caramels. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper; let stand 30 minutes or until chocolate hardens. Note: We tested with Rolo Chewy Caramels in Milk Chocolate.

Bacon-Wrapped Figs

Preheat oven to 350°. Stir together 1 (4-oz.) goat cheese log, softened, and 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil. Cut 6 large fresh figs in half lengthwise. Place 1 heaping teaspoonful goat cheese mixture and 1 toasted pecan half on cut side of each fig half. Wrap 1 ready-to-serve bacon slice around each fig half, and secure with a wooden pick. Place figs on a wire rack in a 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan, and bake 6 to 8 minutes or until bacon is crisp and browned. Note: We tested with Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon.

Mama’s German Chocolate Cake

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Pure Southern perfection! Layers of moist German chocolate cake and sweet-and-nutty Coconut-Pecan Frosting will make this dessert an instant favorite.

Ingredients

  • Parchment paper
  • 2 (4-oz.) packages sweet chocolate baking bars*
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • Coconut-Pecan Frosting
  • Garnish: chocolate-dipped toasted pecan halves

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease 3 (9-inch) round cake pans; line bottoms with parchment paper, and lightly grease paper.
  2. Microwave chocolate baking bars and 1/2 cup water in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring once halfway through.
  3. Combine flour and next 2 ingredients in a medium bowl.
  4. Beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Stir in chocolate mixture and vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition.
  5. Beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form; gently fold into batter. Pour batter into prepared pans.
  6. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven, and gently run a knife around outer edge of cake layers to loosen from sides of pans. Cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; discard parchment paper. Cool completely (about 1 hour). Spread Coconut-Pecan Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish, if desired.

Note

We tested with Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate Bar.

Coconut-Pecan Frosting

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 (12-oz.) can evaporated milk
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 6 egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool completely (about 20 minutes).
  2. Meanwhile, cook evaporated milk, sugar, butter, and egg yolks in a heavy 3-qt. saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 4 minutes or until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Cook, stirring constantly, 12 to 14 minutes or until mixture becomes a light caramel color, is bubbling, and reaches a pudding-like thickness.
  3. Remove pan from heat; stir in coconut, vanilla, and pecans. Transfer mixture to a bowl. Let stand, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes or until cooled and spreading consistency.

Pecan-Stuffed Pickled Jalapeños

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For an easy appetizer, fill pickled jalapeños with garlic-and-herb cheese. Top with toasted pecans, and you’re ready to entertain!

Ingredients

  • Whole pickled Jalapeño peppers
  • Spreadable garlic-and-herb cheese, softened
  • Chopped toasted pecans

Preparation

  1. Cut peppers in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds and membranes.
  2. Pipe softened cheese into each pepper half. Press peppers, cheese sides down, into chopped toasted pecans.
  3. Cover and chill up to 1 day.

Maple-Pecan Biscotti

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A maple syrup-laced powdered sugar drizzle puts a sweet spin on these hearty cookies.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup toasted chopped pecans
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1 recipe Maple Drizzle (see recipe below)

Preparation

  1. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and baking powder. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour and the 1 cup toasted chopped pecans.
  2. Divide dough in half. If necessary, cover and chill for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
  3. Lightly grease a cookie sheet; set aside.
  4. Shape each half of dough into a 9-inch-long loaf. Place 4 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. Flatten loaves slightly. Sprinkle with the 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans; press into tops of loaves. Flatten loaves to about 3 inches wide.
  5. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool loaves on cookie sheet on a wire rack for 1 hour. Transfer to a cutting board. With a serrated knife, cut each loaf diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place slices, cut sides down, on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  6. Bake in a 325 degree F oven for 8 minutes. Turn slices over; bake for 8 to 10 minutes more or until dry and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack; cool. Drizzle with Maple Drizzle. Makes about 24 cookies.

Maple Drizzle: In a small mixing bowl stir together 1 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Stir in additional maple syrup (4 to 5 tablespoons) to make icing of drizzling consistency.

Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

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This pecan pie is to die for! Forget your tried-and-true pecan pie recipe and replace it immediately with this one. You’ll never look back.

Ingredients

1/2 (14.1-oz.) package refrigerated piecrusts
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons bourbon*
1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 325°. Fit piecrust into a 10-inch cast-iron skillet; sprinkle piecrust with powdered sugar.
  2. Whisk eggs in a large bowl until foamy; whisk in brown sugar and next 6 ingredients. Pour mixture into piecrust, and top with pecan halves.
  3. Bake at 325° for 30 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 300°, and bake 30 more minutes. Turn oven off, and let pie stand in oven, with door closed, 3 hours.

*Vanilla extract may be substituted