Pie Day Count Down!!!

Do you celebrate it?  Pie Day?  3.14  Do you eat pie on March 14th at 1:59?  Yeah, I am a geek.  I love my pie and any excuse to make another is reason for celebration at my house!  And if I can throw in a touch of French cuisine into Pie Day, my world is complete.  Know what I'm talking about???

photo credit: axelsrose via photopin cc

QUICHE!!!  The ultimate Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner appropriate pie.  I will admit for years I struggled to make my quiche turn out right.  It was always too watery so I would bake it longer and it would end up chewy.  So not good eats!  I struggled until I found Julia.  Julia Child that is.  Today I will share her secrets and we can rejoice in quiche delishe (a play on words.  Did it make any sense?)  Julia's tips are found in From Julia Child's Kitchen.

Buy Julia's Book Here

Alright then.  Julia's secret:  no set measurement on the fluid to add to the eggs.  No two eggs are exactly the same size.  When we insist on adding exactly 1/2 cup fluid to an 3 eggs, the total volume will vary based on the size of the eggs used.  Which means discrepencies in how the quiche bakes.  To get around that problem, Julia suggest using 3 beaten eggs plus enough cream (or milk) to make 1 1/4 cups total.  Sounds simple enough right.  When I used her formula, my quiches immedietly turned out perfectly!!!  JULIA ROCKS!



I am going to share the "basic" quiche recipe.  I love a "Quiche Bleu"  filled with crispy bacon (1/2 cup), red onions (1/4 cup), blue cheese (1/4 cup), and a sprinkle of fresh tomatoes on the top.

Happy Baking!


Basic Quiche From Julia Child
3 large eggs, beaten in a measuring cup
1/4 tsp salt
pinch of nutmeg and pepper
about 1/2 cup cream-- enough to fill the measuring cup with eggs to 1 1/4 cup
1 cup Filling ingredients... bacon, ham, onions, cheese, veggies
1 8 or 9-inch prepared pie crust

Pre-heat the oven to 375.
Whip the eggs together.  Add salt, nutmeg, pepper and cream to make 1 1/4 cups fluid.  Toss desired filling in the pie crust.  Pour the liquid on top stopping 1/4 inch from the top of the pie crust.  Place quiche pan on a cookie sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes.  When the quiche has doubled in size and is nicely brown it is done.  Need to double check?  A skewer should come out clean.  If if has bits of custard on it bake another 3-4 minutes.

Grandma Drew's Pecan Pie

This pecan recipe comes straight from Louisiana.  I am asked what makes this recipe dark, rich and oh so addicting  -- a handful of chocolate chips (semi sweet).  Unexpected, I know, but oh so good!

Grandma Drew's Pecan Pie
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
1 prepared pie crust

Dump the chocolate chips and the pecans in the bottom of the pie crust.

Combine the corn syrups, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla.  Pour over the pecans and chocolate chips in the crust.

Bake at 325 for 55 minutes.  The center should spring back when touched lightly.  Food scientists say the internal temperature should be 200 degrees-- I know I always test the temperature of my pecan pie????

Happy Pie Eating!

Mom's Pumpkin Pie

What is the secret to perfect pumpkin pie. Use only one can of evaporated milk. Really it works every time!  No "pumpkin soup" or "pumpkin crunch" thank you!

Mom's Pumpkin Pie
1 can (29 oz) pure pumkin
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 can evaporated milk
2 - 9 inch pie shells

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.  Mix together all ingredients and pour into the unbaked pastry shells.
Bake for 15 minutes at 425.  Reduce heat to 350 and bake another 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Chocolate Mousse Pie

I have loved this pie for as long as I can remember.  It was the first pie recipe I had memorized.   Over the years Chocolate Mousse has faced modification, but has always come out on top as the most requested pie at Thanksgiving.



Here's to a Layered Dark Chocolate Indulgence!

Chocolate Mousse Pie
1 oreo pie crust
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
8 oz cream cheese
12 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed

In a glass bowl combine the chocolate chips and cream cheese.  Microwave on high for 1 minute.  Stir.  Microwave for 30 more seconds stirring as needed until the chocolate chips and cream cheese are fully melted and smooth.

Spoon 1/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the oreo crust.  Spread the chocolate around the sides evenly to make the first chocolate layer.

Stir 1/2 of the frozen whipped topping into the remianing chocoalte mixture.  Fold carefully to fully incorporate the whipped topping.  Spoon half of this mixture into the pie crust and smooth out. (layer number two!)

Stir the remaining whipped topping into the remaining chocoalte mixture. Spoon and smooth over the top of the pie to make the final layer.

Garnish with shaved chocolate.  Refregerate until serving.


Memorable Modifications:
For peanut butter addicts, try melting some peanut butter (1/3 cup works well) in with the chocolate chips and cream cheese.

Need it a little more festive?  Add a couple drops of peppermint extract to the melted chocolate for a dark chocolate mint truffle pie.  Garnish with crushed candy canes.

Amish Apple

My husband lived in Amish country and LOVED their cooking.  Especially Amish Apple pie.  Amish Apple is a single crust apple pie with a strussel topping and a light custard to hold the apples together.  Amish Apple always gets rave reviews.  Just be sure to slice the apples extra thin!

Amish Apple Pie

Strussel Topping

1/3 cup Sugar

1/4 cup Brown sugar

10 tbsp Flour

1 tsp Cinnamon

¼ cup Butter, cold

½ cup Walnuts, coarsely chopped

1 dash Salt

 

Filling

4 lg Apples, (4 cups) either Jonathon or Gala

½ tsp Cinnamon

3 tbsp Flour

1 cup Heavy cream ( whipping)

1 unbaked 10" pie shell

1 cup Sugar

1 lg Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

In a food processor bowl, mix the first 5 ingredients for streusel together. Add the butter, and process 

until mixture is crumbly; it should still have a dry look, don't overprocess. Add nuts, and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

.

Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples (should be about 4 cups). Place apples in pie shell.

In a small bowl, mix the sugar, flour and cinnamon. Beat the egg in a medium bowl, and add the cream 

and vanilla. Add the sugar mixture to the egg mixture, and blend. Pour over the apples

.

Bake for 1 hour total in the lower third of oven. After 20 minutes, sprinkle streusel over top. and 

continue baking about 40 minutes longer, or until the top puffs, and is golden brown.

The Best Part of Thanksgiving

Now I almost feel guilty.  I just wrote that title and was thinking specifically of yummy pies.  Shouldn't the best part of Thanksgiving be being thankful, or spending time with family or [fill in the blank].  For me the very best part is YUMMY Pies!

I grew up learning to roll pie crusts and baking pies the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  The traditional ones Apple, Cherry, Pumpkin, Pecan and the less traditional ones, Chocolate Mousse, Tolehouse.  And now being married I have added my husband's favorite cream/silk pies.  "Pie making day" is no longer just a one day event!

When asked which pie is my favorite, I respond, "Would you ask which child is my favorite?"  Each pie shares a special place in my heart!

I thought I would share with you my very best signature pies.  These are not healthy recipes!  I will not delude you on that score.  Enjoy and Indulge.  Then get back to the gym on Friday!


Pie Crust
3 cups all purpose flour
6 oz by weight LARD (about 2/3 cup)
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 Tablespoon vinegar
3 1/2 Tablespoons water
Combine salt and flour.  Cut in the lard to make pea sized pieces.  Set Aside.  Combine egg,  vinegar and water.  Gently mix the wet in with the flour mixture.  Allow to rest 5 minutes before rolling out.  Makes about 3, 9 inch crusts.


Tolehouse Pie This chocolate chip cookie pies is super easy and yummy to make!
1 prepared pie crust
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Mix together the melted butter, sugars, flour, egg and vanilla.  Put chocolate chips and nuts in the bottom of the pie crust.  Pour the butter mixture over the chips.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.