The One

I'd like to apologize to anyone who may read this: It's been a long time since I have posted, and there have been some darn good pies I should have written about.

Here's one, for example:

Calvados Apple Custard Pie. I'm not even sure how to describe this pie to you. Maybe the work 'Perfection' would be best. No, not that I am perfect in my pie making, but I think I did a pretty bang up job with this one! What I mean, is that, this pie...This pie might just be the perfect blend of flavors:

-Apple flavored brandy from the french region of Lower Normandy, twice distilled, to the appropriate level of deliciousness.

-Apples, sliced thin, and slowly sauteed in butter and sugar, until fragrant.

-Homemade custard, with a slight hint of the brandy, thick and creamy.

When put together into a deep dish flakey crusted pie shell, it's luscious, rich, divine. Equal parts apple, brandy and custard, all floating around your taste buds, like wisps of cloud in the vast noonday sky. One bite and it's as if you've transformed into this cigarette smoking, skinny jeans wearing, little dog walking frenchman. You just want to sit down at an outdoor cafe, drink your cafe au lait and talk about how zie AmeriKanz are zo stupeed.

So, what I'm really trying to say is that this is one delicious pie and that if it wasn't snowing, I would go to Giant right now to get some apples and heavy cream.

I have plenty of time for a slice, but no apples. What a sorry day this is...

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!!!