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The Ombudsman would like you all to know that he has declared 2007 the Summer of Pie.I, for one, have no idea what he means by that.
Summer of Pie?
I mean, I LIKE it, (what's not to like?) I just can't really get him to elaborate. (Though, for you all with your mind leading this direction, I promise he is a nice boy and that is not at all what he meant...besides, I don't think he has ever heard of that band...)
So what is this Summer of Pie? All I know is that so far he has not ordered pie (at least, when dining with me), nor has he become fixated with the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle. That, I can assure you. (Though I wouldn't put it past him...)
As a matter of fact, up until today, all that The Summer of Pie has really meant was a whole lotta talkin' and the pie you see on this page. Which, after succumbing to his wiles, I baked as dessert for our Hollywood Forever Movie picnic outing last weekend...but that is it.
Okay, well, we also compiled a partial list of good pies versus bad pies while devouring the one you see here. For us, the top contender, (most unsummerlike, but true) is Coconut Cream. Our runners up were Pumpkin and Apple. Boring, perhaps, but oh-so-tasty. We are categorically opposed to Lemon Meringue though...it's just not our style...and blueberry seems to be a silly use for a delicious fruit...
So will you kindly help with a list of YOUR favorite (sweet) pies?
How do you like your wedge?
Tell all my sweet peaches, I wanna know! And then...I'm gonna bake um'. Maybe not ALL of them, but now that I have mastered crust-making (and I have. And it is GOOD. And I'm getting a touch of the hubris over it all, I must admit...) I figure the time is ripe for a baking bonanza...
So tell me...what pies cannot be missed during this...The Summer of Pie.
Cherry is nice...
Your favorite pie crust, for bottom and top
2 cups pitted cherries (sour cherries if you can get them)
1/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons rum
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 large apple, peeled and grated
Milk for brushing
Extra sugar for topping
Preheat your oven to 350F.
In a bowl, combine the rum, vanilla, salt and cornstarch. Stir to dissolve the cornstarch. Add the cherries, apple and sugar and let rest for 10 minutes.
Pile all that into your pie crust and top with second crust. Using a paring knife, pierce two or three holes in the top crust as vents.
Brush top crust with milk and dust with sugar. Place on a cookie sheet, and then bake for 50 minutes or until golden.
Remove and let cool.
Serves eight.
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Pies I have tackled on this site: Peach, Grape , Cherry Lingonberry, Pumpkin and the controversial Strawberry
The average American eats six slices of pie per year.
Check out The American Pie Council.
