Simple cutting board clipboards and APPLE PIE RECIPE!
I picked up a few more old cutting boards at an auction recently. I don't intentional set out to buy them but occasionally I find them in a box of goodies I purchased.
I shared here and here how simple it is to "refinish" these simple little pieces of wood. And since I am not real fond of using them for their original intended purpose, I am always on the lookout for a simple way to repurpose them. The older boards can be beautiful refinished and displayed on your counter or wall.
"Newer models" need to be dolled up a bit and given a new purpose....
I scrubbed the boards with a 1/2 acetone and 1/2 lacquer thinner mixture and steel wool just to remove all the old oil and finish. Washed them down with mineral spirits and then I applied a stain to darken them a bit. Since I am not going to be using them for food prep, I sprayed them with clear poly. Then I attached a little metal "clip" with a wood screw. You can buy the clips at Hobby Lobby or probably any craft store. I think they were around $3 for 3.
(TIP: ALWAYS use a stain that does not "seal"...that way if you don't like the color you can layer on another coat of stain or use a different color. If you use one that "seals" you are pretty much stuck with that color unless you strip it again!)
You could hot glue magnets to the back so you could hang it on your refrigerator. Maybe display it on a plate holder on your counter...or just hang it the wall...whatever works for you!
It is the perfect way to keep note paper handy in your kitchen...just tie a pen or pencil to the clip. Maybe even use it to display old recipes or hold recipes while you bake!
I think it would be a precious housewarming gift or holiday gift for a teacher!
Super simple and inexpensive! Keep an eye out at garage sales and thrift stores for old cutting boards...trust me, they are there.
CARAMEL-PECAN APPLE PIE
I originally posted this recipe here!
As I noted in the original post, it is TO. DIE FOR! Definitely a recipe to put in your holiday arsenal!
I have tweeked it a bit...so here is my version!
CARAMEL-PECAN APPLE PIE
PIE FILLING
5-6 cups peeled and sliced tart apples (I use Granny Smith...about 5)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping, room temperature
1 unbaked deep dish pastry shell (I buy the frozen kind!)
3 tablespoons melted butter
* In a bowl, toss apples with lemon juice and vanilla. Combine the pecans, sugars, cinnamon and cornstarch; add to the apples and toss to coat. Spread caramel topping over the bottom of the pie shell; top with apple mixture (shell will be really full!) Drizzle with the butter!
TOPPING:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup chopped pecans
1/4 sugar
6 tablespoons cold butter (I zap mine for about 13 seconds just long enough to soften it a bit!)
1/4 cup (or more) caramel ice cream topping, room temperature
* In a small bowl, combine the flour, pecans and sugar. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over filling. (I kind of "pack" it on top of the apples with my hands)
BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 60 MINUTES or until filling is bubbly and topping is browned. Immediately drizzle with the caramel topping when you take it out of the oven.
Cool or serve hot right out of the oven.
It's great with ice cream. If any lasts past the first day, zap it in the microwave for a few seconds...warms it right up just like fresh out of the oven.
