The verdict is in:

Cheesy apple pie is found guilty of being too delicious for its own good. It is sentenced to be eaten at sunrise tomorrow. ...Or sunset tonight. ...Or for lunch today.

While this baked, my house smelled better than it ever has before. The slight sweetness of the apples with the smell of baked cheddar...After it was done, I had to leave the house just to keep myself from taking a fork to it right then and there.

The crust tastes just like cheese crackers. I could eat just the crust, by itself, with no filling. And the topping was like a streusel, but with cheese. Crunchy and delicious. Oh, and it really goes down nicely with a crisp bottle of white.

Anybody want a slice? I've got a few left.

The Cheese That Goes...

Ants in the pants: I've got 'em. I want to make a pie. I've got to make a pie. I NEED to make a pie. Something new, something I've never tried before. But what? Fruit isn't exactly in season here, and everyone knows I only use seasonal fruits. I mean, I guess I could pick up some local apples at Saturday's Farmer's Market(I just found one that operates YEAR ROUND! Oh baby, the cinnamon apple sauce at the Mennonite stand...to die for...).

But, apple pie? Really? I know it's American, and it tastes like home, and all that mumbo jumbo. But come on, I need something new. I need a thrill!

What if I threw something else in there with the apples?

But what? Caramel? Done. Brandy and custard? Also, done(though that one was ah-maze-zah-hing). Cranberries? Do you really think I haven't tried that before?

...And inspiration strikes: The cheese platter...

Have you ever seen a cheese platter without fruit? Neither have I. What if...ok, and I want you to really think about it before being completely grossed out...what if I take a normal apple pie filling, but I encase it in a deliciously, cheddary crust? Then I could do some type of topping with more cheddar.

Wait! Why do I care what you think? I think it sounds awesome! And I think I know what I'll be doing on Saturday, just as soon as I drop Sumo at the airport. Yep, apple and cheddar pie...all to myself. Mooooahahahahahah!

...maybe I could be talked into sharing...that'll probably come at a price though...

The Thanksgiving Pie

So, I know I'm a little late with this update, but come on, I've been busy with Christmas being right around the corner. The tree is up, the presents are wrapped, the cookies are...hmm...Where did they go? Sumo...?

Anyway, another wonderful Thanksgiving has come and gone. Everything was as normal: my grandmother made a fantastic turkey, my aunt Barb made the green bean casserole, and my mother made enough mashed potatoes to feed all of the United States and her territories.

Then there was pie. My aunt Betsy made a delicious apple; Her crust is always just right, and the flavor of the filling, perfecto! I tried something a little different this year. I wanted to keep that traditional taste we all know and love, but I wanted to play with it a bit. So...I added chocolate.

Chocolate makes everything better, right? In this case, definitely!

I started out with a lovely, fragrant, graham cracker crust. Then I added the first layer: The chocolate & pumpkin mousse. I baked this layer for 20 minutes, then let the pie cool before adding layer #2: The pumpkin cheesecake. Now, this layer tasted almost like your typical pumpkin pie, but was thicker, hence the cheesecake. The layer was baked for 45 minutes, then had to be cooled again. After 30 minutes of cooling, I added the third and final layer.

What was it? What was it? (I can almost hear the anticipation!)

That third layer was topped with something we like to call sour cream.

Huh?

One cup of sour cream, sweetened with a 1/4 cup of sugar, and warmed over low heat. Delicioso! This sweetened sour cream was the perfect blanket for an already rich pie.

This was by far, one of the most time consuming pies I've ever made. And of course, when I got to my grandparents house, I realized the pie I had made the day prior was sitting in my refrigerater - 140 miles away. But, darn, if we weren't going to eat that pie for Thanksgiving! I strapped on my shoes and hopped in the car. Then, I went to the grocery store.

So this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my family, and my friends, and the roof over my head, but I'm also thankful for my good memory and the Woodstown, New Jersey, Acme Grocery Store.