Hunger Pains

Picture this: A summer day. The kind that's brisk in the morning, but sweltering by late afternoon. It's August. Almost September, actually. You just got out of your 9-5 cubicle job that leaves you feeling helpless and hopeless. You know you should be thinking about that deadline you need to meet by tomorrows 10AM meeting with the client, but all you can think about is your belly and how hungry it is. But you're meeting friends for dinner at 7! You can't eat now, you'll be too full! I mean, you could stop for a donut, a cupcake, or yogurt, but you're so tired of those. You're ready for something else. Something small, something cute, something...Pie...

You need a stash of Cutie Pies for just this occasion! Small, delicious, perfect! They're a hand held snack that are just waiting to be popped into your mouth. Easy for on the run activities, like walking home from work! The perfect size, and less mess than an actual slice of pie.

Plus, who hasn't dreamed of a vareity sampler pie? Now, you don't need one! It's as easy as calling up your local Straight From The Pie Hole baker.

Cutie Pies come in all sorts of flavors, too: From Apple to Blueberry to Peach. From Pumpkin to Coconut Cream to Key Lime. Oatmeal Pecan! Pineapple Cream Cheese! Chocolate!!!! You name it. The possibilities are endless, almost.

So sit back (-or keep walking), grab a Cutie Pie and take a bite. You'll be pleasantly surprised: No longer hungry, but not too full either. Unless, of course, you ate the whole box on your way to the restaurant.




And after dinner, grab your better half and head on back to your place for a little...dessert...

I'm talking about Sweetie Pies here! They're pies for 2! What did you think I was talking about?!?!! Geeze!!



*Contact your local SFTPH baker for more details on Cutie and Sweetie Pies. And remember: There's always time for a slice. - er, a really tiny pie.

The Times, They Are a Changing

I hosted my first BBQ of the summer yesterday. It was Sumo's birthday. He's officially 28. Still a baby, I know, but I like to make fun of him and call him old. Anyway, I made soooo much food. I mean, come on...cheese and crackers, Caesar salad, corn and black bean salad, greek pasta salad, strawberry salad with cinnamon sugar tortilla chips, cheese and hamburgers, hotdogs, cake, sangria and my newest addition...Peach Blueberry Pie.

Mmm...

Around 1pm we packed up the car with our food & fun and headed to scope out the "first come first serve" picnic locations in Rock Creek Park. Everywhere we went was either too muddy or the grill was just a broken pile of bricks. Until we found it...Lot 25: A grassy hill near a horse meadow. Spacious, solitary, DRY. Oh, and the grill worked! We, well, I, rather (it was Sumo's birthday afterall), set up shop at the adequately sized picnic table and began to have some sweet summer fun.

A few games of Bocce Ball and a glass of sangria later and everyone was ready to eat. We fired up the grill (do you still say that if it's a charcoal grill??) and slapped down some burgers and dogs. They were delicious. Cheesy with tomatoes and onions. Oh, I love summer cookouts. And the pie. What a perfect way to end a meal! The crust: flakey. The peaches: gooey. The blueberries: tangy. This pie was so good. I added a lattice top for "prettiness" sake and it brought just the right amount of crunch. This pie might be my new summer favorite. It almost epitomizes the tastes of summer. The peaches with the berries, it makes me want to try new things: Peaches with blackberries, or what about an all summer berry pie?

Whatever it may be, it might be easier to make soon. A house in Vienna, what's that you say? It's in negotiations, but come August, they're may be many more cookouts, and many more pies. Let's hope so: Cause I like cooking it almost as much as you like eating it.

But until then, remember, there's always time for a slice!!!

So, summer is slowly getting underway. The Nats have won a few games, the smell of steak on the grill is emanating from many a rooftop deck, and pies made with fruit (can you believe it!?! Fruit season is finally here!) are flying off the racks. Well, maybe not the racks, let's change that to : "are flying out of the oven."

I've got a few new ones to add to the list:

Let's see, just yesterday I made a new one to take to a birthday cookout. Oh, and it was good. I guess you probably want to know what it was...sorry. It was a Sweet Cherry Pie with an Almond-Coconut Crunch topping. Yum! The cherries were so big and juicy. And coconut with cherries? Who knew that combination would be so wonderful! Sadly, the birthday boy didn't get to eat any. Turns out he's allergic to almonds. And coconut. -->Sorry, Ryan, really not trying to kill you!

Also, new for the summer: Chocolate Haupia Pie. You're probably wondering what the heck is haupia? Well, let me just tell you that haupia is heavenly. Coconut pudding made with coconut milk, instead of regular milk and coconut flavoring. We discovered this pie while on the Hawaiian Island of O'ahu. It's soooo good...A nice flaky crust, topped with a layer of homemade chocolate pudding, topped with homemade coconut pudding, topped with whipped cream, topped with chocolate and coconut shavings. Does it get any better than that??? I don't think it does.

Well, it's time for me to go. I've got other pies to think of and dream up. Tune in next week to hear all about the Blueberry Peach pie and maybe even the Apricot Mango pie.

Don't you just love the summer?

Oh, and remember, there's always time for a slice!