Pie Dreams

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. 

~ Mark Twain

I remember it like it was yesterday. The moment I knew I was destined to be a baker. My Easy Bake oven sat humbly on my grandmother's kitchen floor. She, my teacher and mentor of all things in the kitchen, was baking a cake for my Father's birthday. So was I, just on a smaller scale. I stood next to her and slowly, carefully mixed my cake batter, watching her with an eager eye. I slid the cake gently in the "oven" and stared through the tiny window, watching in awe as the heat from the light bulb magically baked my cake. 

Sometime in my adult life, I began to try my hand at pie baking. I was determined to create the perfect pie crust, and to create pies that would make anyone's day better.  I love everything about pie. From rolling the crust to concocting simple but delicious fillings.  Even one of my favorite movies, "The Waitress," is a favorite because it involved pie. 

So I guess you say I'm over the moon to be the the new "Pastry Chef" (humbly self taught) at a quaint location in the Hill Country of Texas. I am bursting with excitement, have my baking shoes on and am ready to roll. I hope to have time to chronicle my journey for you here...so stay tuned!

Me Oh My, I Love Fried Pie

Blueberry Fried Pies - they were so very good.

Served warm, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon, ice cream if you please. Thank you, Homesick Texan, for a fabulously easy recipe

for some dang deelicious little pies.

Heavenly Healthy Banana Bread

Made this today - it totally lives up to it's name. Not only was this banana bread good (and good for you), it also made my house smell so warm and delicious. I love the slices that have the not-completely-cooked part at the top. Add a little butter and I'm in heaven... (doesn't take much for me these days)




tip: when your bananas get too ripe to eat, don't throw them away. Toss them in the freezer; they will keep for a couple of months. When you're ready to bake, just pull them out, let them thaw out in the peel and add them to your recipe.

Let Freedom Ring (while you're eating an icky pie)

I love the 4th of July and everything it represents. I am always proud to be an American and thankful to live in this free country, but the 4th allows me to force ask my family to wear matching red/white/blue flag adorned clothing, bake apple pie, load up on fireworks and not look too much like a nerd. (Thank you to Jimmy Buffet's Sirius channel for reminding our house throughout the day to take a moment and think of our troops who put their lives on the line for our freedom - they deserve our thanks, thoughts, and prayers.)

This year we were invited to a friend's house for a BBQ and swimming - a great time was had by all. I baked two pies to bring - one was a triumph old fashioned apple from one of my favorite cookbooks and the other was a hugely disgusting not so good cherry pie that I will never bake again (here's a tip: don't make a recipe for the first time that you're serving to guests). I think it was a combo of too much sugar and vanilla extract that made this pie awful. Plus, I used arrowroot starch for the first time as the thickener. Could that have altered the taste? The pie certainly looked lovely (looks can be so deceiving); I made the top crust using different sized star cutouts and placed them in a lattice fashion. It baked up beautifully but I noticed it never quite had that cherry pie smell.

When we were cutting it, I sneaked a bite and then I knew - this pie had to be the worst cherry pie I've ever eaten. So while the fireworks were taking place and kids were running around with sparklers, apple pie was served to all and the cherry pie got pushed aside. I was not about to ruin such a great day with such an icky pie (that's my freedom of choice, right?)

Bake Away...

Summer has just begun and I'm already desperate for fun and enriching activities to do with my child. So after one very long round of "Chutes & Ladders" (the boy refuses to go down the chute) and two rounds of "Don't Break The Ice," we strapped on our baking gear and knocked out some fabulous bread (thank you, George!)

If you're reading this and saying, "Bake with my kids, are you crazy?" then consider this: in addition to filling your home with the awesome scent of fresh baked goods, you'll score major mommy points with what a little baking session teaches:

• Fosters reading skills by encouraging your children to read instructions.
• Exercises math skills by measuring ingredients.
  
• Setting a timer helps with the concept of time (well, sort of. Developing the virtue of patience is probably more accurate, especially when cookies or other yummy treats are in the oven.)
• Creating something is important for boosting self confidence.
  
• Pride comes from a job well done.
  
• Cleaning up is an important life skill (break out that annoying clean up song if you have to!)
• And nothing is more important than spending quality time with your children. Seriously!

adapted from kidscentralkitchen.com

I hope this will inspire many of you to make some yummy memories with your kids. Happy baking, or whatever you do together, and please share your stories and recipes with us!

Kids spell love T-I-M-E. ~John Crudele