Kitchens Are The Heart Of The Home In Ulster County

Posted by Murphy Realty Group on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 4:07pm.

A place to cook, do homework, computer work and even maybe laundry. Kitchens have evolved over the years as families have become busier, and schedules more ambitious.

Long gone are the days of mom staying at home to make Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes. Today’s Real Estate consumer is looking for a multi-purpose Kitchen / Great Room. Some perks include wainscoting, granite, soapstone, big beautiful porcelain sinks, stainless appliances, brushed Nickel fixtures, and if at all possible, a fireplace – yes, a big beautiful fireplace with overstuffed furniture for comfortable conversation.

People are generally willing to do cosmetic work, painting, even update bedrooms – if they have a beautiful kitchen they can picture themselves in. 

We are happy to help you find the kitchen of your dreams in Ulster County, including Woodstock and Stone Ridge.

In the mean time, try this famous Hudson Valley recipe – Sour Cream Apple Walnut PieSour Cream Apple Pie

Crust:

2 ½ cups unbleached all purpose flour
5 Tablespoons granulated sugar
¾ Tablespoon salt
¾ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 Tablespoons sweet butter, chilled
6 Tablespoons shortening, chilled
4 to 6 Tablespoons apple cider or juice, chilled

1.      Sift flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon into a bowl. Cut in butter and shortening with a fork or pastry cutter until mixture resembles rolled oats.
2.      Moisten with just enough cider, tossing ingredients lightly with a fork, to permit the dough to be formed into a ball. Wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
3.      Cut off one third of the dough and return it to the refrigerator. Roll out the other two thirds between 2 sheets of wax paper for the bottom crust. 

Filling:

5 to 7 tart apples
2/3 cup dairy sour cream
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
¼ tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons unbleached all purpose flour

1.      Peel, core and thinly slice apples; drop slices into a mixing bowl.
2.      Whisk together sour cream, sugar, egg, salt, vanilla, and flour ina small bowl. Pour mixture over apples and toss well to coat. Spoon apples into pastry-lined pan. 

Topping:

3 Tablespoons brown sugar
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup shelled walnuts, chopped

1.      Mix sugars, cinnamon and walnuts together and sprinkle evenly over apple filling.
2.      Roll out remaining pastry between sheets of wax paper to form a 10 inch circle. Cut into ½ inch strips and crimp edge of crust decoratively.
3.      Set pie on middle rack of the oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes. If crust browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Pie is done when juices are bubbling and apples are tender.
4.      Serve warm or cool, topped, if you like with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 

Yum! Cool is my favorite with vanilla ice cream!

4 Responses to "Kitchens Are The Heart Of The Home In Ulster County"

Linda wrote:
Glad to see an agent who knows the importance of the kitchen, just wish other agents also realize this and also sellers. I have a large family, and the kitchen is the busiest place in the house! Between the kids and their friends, snacks, trying to get meals together, it can be a zoo, but also is my pride and joy. I can't tell you how many times my friends and I look at various listings online, and either the kitchen is not pictured, or it's a complete mess, or the agent takes some wild, crooked, zoomed in shot of a cabinet, eliminating the rest of the kitchen. Drives me nuts, lol. Thanks for sharing, and the pie sounds delicious, I'm going to try it with the in-laws this week :)

Posted on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 10:05 AM.

susan wrote:
I agree, the kitchen is what many people look at first. It's where most people spend the majority of their time. I find that people are looking at the refrigerator, stove and sink. They want nice cabinets with plenty of storage, and a large pantry.

Posted on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 10:40 AM.

Mark wrote:
Great points and I agree. We recently renovated our kitchen which adjoins a great room with floor to ceiling fireplace, and "my" pride and joy, big screen tv ;) We love it, but you want to be careful and not over do it. Our neighbors spent a good part of last year renovating, mostly the kitchen. Although a great house and neighborhood, they went to the extreme and if they ever want to, or have to sell, I'm afraid their in for a rude awakening. Keep the recipes coming, now that we have this great kitchen, I want to put the wife to work, lol.

Posted on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 10:46 AM.

Tracey wrote:
I agree with Susan, that the kitchen is what many people look at first. Appliances are a great bonus (especially when they are clean). I find many of my clients look at the size of the kitchen, and the layout first.

Posted on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 AM.


Leave a Comment