As you lime it

Recently I got these Pioneer Woman mini pie plates. Cute, no?

We had a truly wonderful Easter holiday, and a particularly spectacular Easter dinner.

I don't say that to brag; I am a competent but not a gifted cook. I just do what's easy and tasty and basically foolproof and it works almost every time.

A lilac-scented candle decorated the air around our Easter dinner table

For our meat I decided on London Broil. I put it in the Crock Pot semi-frozen the night before, sprinkled the top with one packet each of au jus mix and Ranch dressing mix, and dotted it with a whole stick of butter, in pats.

I used a slow cooker liner for zero cleanup, popped the lid on, and put the crockery part back in the fridge.

Our London Broil, done in the Crock Pot, Mississippi Pot Roast style

On Sunday morning I reunited the crockery with the heat-up part and set it to high. It took a total of five hours to go from semi-frozen to fork-tender and mouth-wateringly delicious.

For sides, we had Crock Pot creamed corn: One two-pound bag of frozen sweet whole-kernel corn, one 8-oz block of cream cheese, half a stick of butter, three tablespoons of sugar, one-half teaspoon of salt, one cup of milk, and one-half cup heavy cream. Put it all in at once; you don't even have to stir until later.

Dagny swoons when she sees this Crock Pot creamed corn

I cooked it on low for about four and a half hours.

We also had mashed potatoes -- a staple -- but this time, I added a twist: To my usual big potful (about three pounds) of soft-cooked potato chunks I added one stick of butter melted with a generous splash of milk, some salt and pepper, a very large dollop of sour cream (I add a lot ... it may be as much as two cups), and a packet of onion soup mix.

My mashed potatoes are rustic: I leave the skins on and sometimes serve them right out of the pot

The onion soup mix is the new twist. I've never done that before but I will be doing it again.

The idea developed during a recent impromptu family meal that we all enjoyed at Erica's house.

Rhett was sick and I was at Erica's, helping her out. The rest of the family were at Wednesday night prayer meeting. Dagny was on spring break and did not have school that week so we decided to feed everyone when church was over.

I made my pineapple casserole in the charming deep-dish pie plate that Stephanie gave me for Christmas

Erica had some hamburgers in the freezer so we decided to bake those in the oven. I got started on the mashed potatoes. 

When they were cooked and it was time to mash and season them, I discovered that Erica did not have quite enough sour cream to make mashed potatoes the way I usually make them.

She poked around in the fridge and found some onion dip that she had made with sour cream and onion soup mix just a few days earlier.

This bunny holds up these ceramic petit-four salt-and-pepper shakers every year

I added all of it to the mashed potatoes.

Wow. You'll want to be trying that.

So anyway, on Sunday I added the onion soup mix to our mashed potatoes and again, it was a big hit.

I nestled my lambie rubber stamp into this tiny Longaberger basket

I also made the traditional Easter pineapple casserole using this Southern Living recipe. It's fabulous and if you've never made it, you should correct that omission as soon as possible.

Generally speaking that dish is meant to be paired with ham, but we did not opt for ham this year and I can assure you that it's just as delectable served alongside London Broil and onion mashed potatoes.

Two of our precious beautifuls, in front of the Easter cross at church

(When making that recipe, I will say that I don't measure the cheese to one cup. I add more. I add less sugar, though. Just a sprinkle will do.)

I had made fresh bread and it was cut into slabs, with real butter to put on it.

For dessert I made two things: A vanilla pound cake using this recipe (only, I use three eggs instead of two) and glazed with confectioners sugar mixed with lemon juice; and

There may be better pound cake recipes, but none that are easier to make

Lime Cracker Pie. Which is basically the reason I am writing this post: to tell you about Lime Cracker Pie.

I happened to see this recipe on Instagram and knew instantly that it was my destiny to make it.

Since I'd never made it before and wasn't sure how it would turn out, I had the pound cake for backup.

This little pink wicker bunny comes out every year

It wasn't necessary. Lime Cracker Pie is one of the most heavenly desserts I have ever tasted.

You'll want to try this for one of your summer spreads. Maybe your Memorial Day cookout!

Without further ado, I give you:

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LIME CRACKER PIE

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED:

A bagful of limes. The bag I bought had nine limes and I used them all.

1 box (the kind with four sleeves) Original Ritz crackers. You could use club crackers.

2 14-oz cans sweetened condensed milk

2 and 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

About 1/4 cup Nellie & Joe’s Key West lime juice

HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

Zest the limes until you’ve got at least one cup of zest. More is better.

Juice the limes and if necessary, add bottled lime juice to make one cup.

To a large mixing bowl add the sweetened condensed milk, the heavy cream, the lime juice, and a bunch of the lime zest (reserve enough for garnish). More is better.

Whisk the mixture by hand for about two minutes. It will thicken into a custard-like consistency (that will thicken a lot more in the refrigerator).

Coat the bottom of a baking dish with one cup of the lime custard mixture. 

The dish you use is up to you but I used my 8x12 Pioneer Woman baking dish and it was the perfect size. I guess you could use a 9x13 dish but I think a slightly smaller one is ideal because it affects the thickness of the dessert.

Arrange a layer of Ritz crackers atop the custard layer. Put the crackers as close together as possible. (I used about 3 and 1/2 sleeves of Ritz total.)

Do another layer of custard and another layer of Ritz crackers and so on, until you have just enough custard to make the top layer.

Garnish with the remainder of the lime zest mixed with Ritz cracker crumbs. 

Cover lightly with plastic and refrigerate overnight.

NOTES:

This recipe can of course be halved, and in that case would probably be just right for a deep dish pie plate or even an 8x8 baking dish.

I saw some versions of this recipe using cookies instead of crackers. Nope; too sweet. 

Substitute lemons to get the same basic idea, lemon flavor … but the lime is sublime, haha.

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Lime Cracker Pie: I would rate it among the top three desserts I have ever made

Our weather on Easter was ideal: sunny and cool. A trifle breezy.

The day before, Saturday, we had a winter day. Seriously. The high was about forty-five degrees and it rained pretty hard for twelve hours straight. I had to turn the heat back on in the house.

I enjoyed it so much. I stayed in my comfy-cozies and baked and cooked all day. 

In my next post, I'll tell you exactly how I make this irresistible no-knead peasant bread

On Easter morning it was still only in the forties when we left for church, and I did wear my faux-fur jacket and opera-length leather gloves, but when we got to church and TG let me out of the car at the door, I took those off because the sun was out and it was up to fifty degrees.

You can see by the picture of TG and me that it had warmed up considerably by the time we left to go home.

TG and me: This was our forty-fifth Easter together

After dinner with Audrey and Dagny, Cherica and baby Rhett stopped by. They'd been with some of Chad's relatives for Easter dinner.

Chad had some coffee and hung out with TG while the girls and I entertained the children.

Once Cherica and Rhett left, Audrey, Dagny, and I took a walk in the glorious spring weather.

Kiss another Easter goodbye

And now April is on the wane and I am already planning for Mother's Day.

But first, Allissa has a special birthday this weekend, and on Friday night we'll be meeting together in Charlotte for her party.

I'll tell you about that next week.

But first please tell me about your Easter, and the many blessings it held.

That will make me so happy.

And that is all for now.

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Happy Weekend

Comments

[Lori]

Good Morning! All of your decorations are gorgeous as always and your food looks delicious!! I will be trying that Lime Cracker Pie, it looks and sounds fabulous. That may be my Birthday pie next month. lol The big guy and I had a low key Easter. I made lamb chops, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus and deviled eggs. For dessert I made a coconut, pecan, pineapple cake with cream cheese frosting. It was all tasty. The weather here was warm and we actually sat outside and ate. Enjoy the next of your celebrations my friend. I know you'll do them up well!!

[Jennifer]

@Lori ... ooooh yes DO try the Lime Cracker Pie for your birthday! If you don't love it, I'll give you your money back, haaahaa. Seriously it is so special. Very rich and decadent so be prepared! But also light and tangy. Your meal sounds fabulous! I bet it was awesomely delicious and to sit outside and eat! What a treat. Especially that cake! I will be needing that recipe so I hope you'll share it! Have a great weekend my friend ... xoxo

[Carla TePaske]

Ahoy Pirate,
Another amazing gathering, with amazing food. I want to be your neighbor and come celebrate each and every time you have a party.
I always enjoy your posts. I am glad you are back sharing your adventures with us.
Carla

[Jennifer]

@Carla ... Girl we'd have some fun as neighbors but it could prove to be dangerous, haaha! I'll be inside baking watching you outside gardening, and we'll meet to compare notes, haahaha xoxo

[Bijoux]

Happy belated Easter. He is Risen!
I enjoyed seeing and hearing about your menu. We also did not do ham this year, which might be a first. On Saturday, we took my mother to see her great grandchildren and I brought their Easter baskets to them. On Sunday, my son and his wife came for a late lunch. My husband made a pork roast and a beef roast in the oven. I made garlic Parmesan sweet potatoes, Japanese zucchini and mushrooms, strawberry feta nut salad, and blueberry lemon tea bread. I got out my china, which I very rarely do because I only have service for 8 and even used cloth napkins. It’s easier with only 5 people for the meal!

[Mari]

This all sounds perfect! The Cracker Lime Dessert sounds perfect! I love the au jus, ranch and butter method of cooking meat. I've done it with roast numerous times, now I see people do it with chicken too. I'll have to try it.
Were your ears ringing earlier? We have the girls tonight and went to Chik-fil-A. Their meal had a little packet of questions to ask so Alaina was asking the questions. One of my questions was "If you were in a movie, what would it be?" While I was thinking, Alaina said - "I know! Pirates of the Carribean with your friend Jenny the Pirate!" I said that was perfect. Bob said we would be 2 old pirates on the ship. :)

[Jennifer]

@Bijoux ... Well that meal and that Easter gathering sounds perfectly enchanting! I sure would like a recipe for that strawberry feta salad. I hope you're having a lovely spring! xoxo

@Mari ... Oh my word that darling little Alaina! YES we'll be pirates on the ship but who's OLD? Speak for yourself Bon, haaahahaa! We'll do a decent bit a pirating yet ... and I may make that Lime Cracker Pie for you! xoxo

[NanaDiana]

I like easy-make-ahead meals, too. You cook like I do. By the way, that is a wonderful picture of you and hubby. It sounds like you had a wonderful, blessed Easter! Love the lime cracker pie. I usually make a Key Lime Pie for my son-in-law but didn't do it this year....sigh...bad me!

I hope you have a wonderful upcoming week. xo Diana

[Jennifer]

@Diana ... Oh I'm sure you are a truly gifted cook! I hope you had a great Easter with your family too, and any time is a great time to make a key lime pie for someone you love! I noticed that there is a KLP recipe printed right on the bottle of Nellie & Joe's Key West lime juice. I may need to try that. I hope you have a good week too! xoxo

[Jeanette]

All of your food looks and sounds delicious and of course, your Easter celebration looked epic! Why have I never thought to put onion soup mix in mashed potatoes? I've put practically everything else in there! Love the picture of you and TG! Looking forward to hearing about Allissa's special birthday!

[Donna]

I saw those mini pie plates in Walmart the other day and thought they were sandwich plates!lolol
They're the perfect pie size for just two though...I'll have to go back to WallyWorld.
The food all looks delicious but those mashed potatoes caught my eye! Live and learn. How easy, as well to produce a wonderful flavor.
Audrey and Dagny are always beautiful! Just like you...love the shot of you and TG.
We spent a quiet time Easter Day here at home...I wasn't feeling well and Larry worked out in his woodshop on the laser. Just rested.
Hope all is going well for you sweetheart...
Big hug,
Donna

[Jennifer]

@Jeanette ... by all means dump the soup mix in those spuds with a LOT of sour cream! You will not be sorry. xoxo

@Donna ... I'm sorry you were under the weather on Easter and I hope you're feeling much better now. YES the onion soup mix in the taters is fantastic. You've got to try it. And DO get those PW mini pie plates. They're such fun for a little snack. Happy dishes just make you happy. Have a great week, my friend. xoxo

[sally]

I'm leaving now, you've made me hungry! Your food always looks and sound so good.
I'm glad you had a good Easter. My daughter and I were at my brother's house and it was nice.

Have a blessed and happy day!
xoxo

[Gayla]

Oh, I want to make every single dish! Your Easter sounded wonderful. Ours was quiet but good! I'm looking forward to the upcoming posts. Enjoy!

[Jennifer]

@Sally ... hello my friend! Sorry I did not see your comment until now. I have been buried under circumstances. It's not getting any better so I thought I should check and see what's going on, on my own blog. I know you're enjoying that new baby! Glad you had a nice Easter. xoxo

@Gayla ... I hope you will make at least one of them! They're all so good. I hope your weather is beautiful and that you are enjoying every minute of your springtime! xoxo