Curious About Pies

I'm an amateur cook who'd like to get really good at making pies. I've opted for the immersion method: between August 2011 and August 2012, I'm making at least one pie per week. On this blog, I'll share my pie progress.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Chocolate Brownie Pecan Pie


This combination was even better than it sounds, thanks to an extremely (accidentally) crispy crust and some bourbon-vanilla whipped cream (not pictured). I can say without false modesty that this is one of the most delicious pies I've tasted, let alone made.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin


A reprise of my earlier pumpkin pie from October, only this time I think it turned out even better. I used Carolyn's all-butter crust technique. What's interesting is, I made it in a hurry, late late late, and cut corners, and basically did all the stuff that would usually make for a piesaster. But in this case, somehow it turned out pretty great: the filling (which Suzanne did the hard work on, because I was in such a calamitous rush) was creamy and pumpkiny and custardly delicious; the crust was flaky and crispy and buttery and light. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of the bourbon-cinnamon-vanilla whipped cream that I served it with. That really took it the extra step.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Sugarless Apple-Blackberry Pie


Suzanne and I, hippies that we are, are working on drastically reducing our sugar intake; which, as you might imagine, creates some challenges in the pie-making department. However, there are options. This one, for instance, from Ken Haedrich's book Pie (in case you're wondering, it's a book about pie), uses apple juice as a sweetener, and is pretty delicious (though next time around I think I'll slip some honey in there just to make it deliciouser).

Dueling Caramel Apple Pies


While we were gallivanting around celebrating Thanksgiving, some excellent neighbors fed and entertained our gluttonous, attention-starved cats. As a reward, I promised each of them a pie. (The neighbors, not the cats). I originally intended to customize the pie-making to individual preference, but wound up getting lazy and making the same type of pie for each: caramel apple. It's a hard, cruel, world. They don't seem too upset though.