For these recipes you can use prepared pie dough that can be found usually in the in the refrigerated dairy section of your local grocery store. The pastry or dough comes conveniently packed two to a box and is rolled and stores well and easily in your home fridge.

I started making these one snowy day back in New England. The house was warm, the snow light and fluffy and all we needed was a warm fresh baked smell coming from the kitchen. I had always made my pies from “scratch” but had bought these Pillsbury crusts just to give them a try. I decided to use them for tarts, those triangle wonders that seem wow us.

So here are some ideas for you and I hope you enjoy them this winter!

Thaw your refrigerated dough for about 15 minutes in your kitchen. Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees. Once dough is pliable, unroll on a lightly floured surface and cut the circle into four pieces leaving four round edged triangles. Fill with your favorite fillings. From the middle, fold out and crimp edges closed with a fork. Make decorative small slits with a sharp knife. This looks pretty but also helps your filling set well.

For a pie type fruit filling-you can use canned versions from the store or mix your own with fresh apples or berries. For one box of dough you will need one cup of fruit mixed with 1 heaping tablespoon of flour and about a half a cup of cane sugar (more to taste if the fruit is tart) add cinnamon if desired (works well with pears, apples and even peaches!) scoop a few tablespoons in the center and fold, crimp and vent.

Chocolate- This is one of my favorites. Mix semisweet chocolate chips with a dusting of sugar and cream cheese. Place in center of quartered dough, fold, crimp, and vent. Chocolate heaven!

Cheesecake and fruit- Use a fruit mixture with sugar and cream cheese. Fold, crimp and vent.

Meat and cheese- These make great hot meal snacks that give a welcome twist to sandwiches on a cold day. I like to mix chopped turkey, ham, Swiss and feta cheese, fresh ground pepper and a pinch of sea salt (not too much because the feta is salty) fold, crimp and vent.

Vegetarian- Chick peas, hummus, bulgur, whatever you like, I would stay away from watery veggies such as cucumbers as they are too watery. Roasted yams and red and orange peppers work really well and are so yummy.

Be creative, take your favorites, season to taste and simply fill, fold, crimp and vent. Bake on a Teflon sheet pan for about ten minutes. Pastry should be lightly golden brown and cooked underneath, dark Teflon is the best for these.

So the next time you’re at the grocers pick up some pie dough and have some fun when the snow flies!

As always, I wish you a blessed and wonderful weekend filled with good food, good health and the good company of family and friends!

Sue