Rhubarb - you either love it or not. There doesnt seem to be any ... when it comes to this fruit that lends itself from a pale pink to a ruby red hue. This strange looking plant with its giant Rhubarb - you either love it or not. There doesnt seem to be any in-between when it comes to this fruit that lends itself from a pale pink to a ruby red hue.This strange looking plant with its giant leaves and pink stems comes originally to us from China and Tibet. These ancient cultures used the rhubarb for medicinal purposes. Its leaves are very toxic, and they should never be eaten.Here are a few country-fair recipes for rhubarb - pick your favorite and see if your family can decide if they are rhubarb enthusiasts. RHUBARB CREAM PIE -2 cups rhubarb, washed, dried, and cut into 1 inch pieces1 cup granulated sugar 2 tbs. all-purpose flour1/2 cup milk2 eggs, separatedMix the sugar, flour, milk and egg yolks together. Pour this mixture over the cut rhubarb and mix together well. Pour into an unbaked pie shell and bake in a 425 degree oven until the fruit is tender and the filling is a custard consistency.You can add meringue to the baked pie using the egg whites and 3 tbs. of sugar.Brown in the oven for about 10 mins.Cool and serve.RHUBARB COOKIE TREAT4 cups trimmed, washed, and diced rhubarb2 cups sugar divided1/2 tsp. cinnamon2 tbs. sweet-cream butter2 eggs, slightly beaten1 cup flour1/2 tsp. salt Heat oven to 350. Using a pre-buttered baking pan, place diced rhubarb in pan and sprinkle with 1 cup of the sugar and all of the cinnamon. Heat in oven for about 20 mins. Remove from oven and set aside.Cream together 2 tbs. butter and 1 cup sugar. Add the eggs, gently stir in the flour, and add the salt. Mix gently incorporating all the ingredients. Pour this mixture over the hot rhubarb. Bake in oven for 1 hour. Remove, cool, and cut into squares. FAVORITE RHUBARB TREAT1 cup flour3 tbs. powdered sugar1/2 cup sweet-cream butter2 cups trimmed, washed, diced rhubarb2 eggs1-1/2 cups sugar1/4 cup flour1/2 cup orange juice (not concentrate)3/4 tsp. salt Mix the flour, powdered sugar and butter together and press into the bottom of an ungreased 7-1/2 x 11-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 mins. Remove from oven and set aside.Mix the rhubarb, eggs, sugar, flour, orange juice and salt together. Pour onto the baked crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins. Using a knife inserted in center, check to see if the center is set. If not, bake for an additional 5-8 mins. Test again, and when knife comes out clean, remove, cool, and serve.Here is a very different kind of jam. Try it - you just might make this your favorite!EASY RHUBARB JAM 4 cups trimmed, washed, and diced rhubarb2 cups granulated sugar1 (3 oz.) box raspberry jello (Do not make the jello - just use the powder) In pan, combine all the ingredients above.Simmer over a gentle, low heat until well cooked.Pour into fancy glass jars.When the jam has cooled, cover with plastic wrap and store in your refrigerator. Easy and tastes great!There is nothing nicer than combining two seasonal favorites and discovering that two good things make one great pie!RHUBARB/STRAWBERRY PIE 1-1/2 cups rhubarb, trimmed, washed and cut into small pieces1 cup fresh washed, trimmed, and sliced strawberries1 cup granulated sugar2 tbs. flour2 tbs. sweet cream butter1 tbs. cold milk1 9 unbaked pie shell, ready-made or made from scratchCombine the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, flour, butter and milk. Gently blend and then pour into unbaked pie shell. Dot mixture with remaining 1 tbs. butter. Cover pie with additional pie crust, or use strips of pie crust for a lattice design.Also, if using an additional pie crust, combine equal amounts of flour (about 1/2 cup), sugar (about 1/2 cup), and about 3 tbs. softened sweet-cream butter. Cut with pastry blender or two knives. You will get very tasty crunchies to sprinkle on top of your pie crust. Flute the edges of the two crusts together before using the sprinkles.Bake in a 450 degree oven for 10 mins.Reduce oven to 350 and bake for 30 mins. or until crust/or crunchies are lightly browned.Remove from oven and cool on rack.Serve with vanilla ice cream for a very special pie ala mode.Hope these recipes make a rhubarb lover out of you and your family.©Arleen M. Kaptur Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com