Saturday, July 25, 2009

Shaye's best (of which she admittedly knows the least)


I haven't the time to sound all that intelligent today, so you get a quick post about my sheer dumb luck. ;)

Last night I attended a fun homeschoolers baseball party at a friend's house. We were all asked to bring along our favorite homemade pie. Honestly, I don't make many pies. They make me fat, take time, mess up my kitchen, and I've never really cared for pie crust anyway. Ewww. So asking me about my favorite homemade pie is like asking me my favorite brand of cell phone (my answer would be "the free one" for those who wonder what I WOULD choose if forced to become slave to this evil communication device again). That said, I do have a made-from-scratch pie that is a winner around here -- apple pie. It tastes more like caramels and apples in my opinion. I instantly assumed it's what I'd make after reading the party invitation.

I lost my previously-favorite pie crust recipe, much to my dismay, so I had to find a new one. And FAST! In these cases, I rely on my brilliant best friend whose name happens to be Google. And I ask her advice for the "best pie crust" and "easiest pie crust" and "perfect pie crust" and she responds with thousands of options 'cause she's so know-it-all. Lucky ME, I finally find a crust that's truly unique, fairly easy, and downright delicious, even for this non-pie-crust-eating-girl. So I filled said crust with my apple pie guts, popped it in the oven for about an hour, and it cooled down just in time for us to load the van and head off to the party.

We were one of the last families to arrive, so a large number of pies already lined the counter tops. I saw peach, chocolate, lemon, brownie, cheese cake, raspberry, and many more that I didn't write down the names of because I didn't even know I was going to write this blog post at the time. I'm just unpredictable like that. But back to the pies...the rule, as it was explained to me, was that no one was allowed to tell who made which pie. And though I wanted opinions on my new fabulously buttery pie crust, I obeyed. 'Cause what are you gonna do, right? Rules are rules.

To tell the whole truth, it was ALL good. Every stinkin' "favorite pie" was miraculously delicious. You'd think someone would have the decency to bring something really bad so that someone else might look really good, but no such luck. Still, I was delighted to hear two people, at different times, praise MY apple pie. TWO! Granted one of those people happened to be the man I'm sleeping with (I just love that guy), but the other one has never been in my bed. And she said things like "Mmmmmmm" and "delicious" and "buttery crust" which, in my book, makes her possibly even more brilliant and necessary than my friend, Google. But it's a close call.

So...if you know anything about some of my previous blogged about recipes, you know that I like to rename favorite recipes I've found with MY own name even if I had absolutely nothing to do with its creation. As a librarian, I'm well-trained in documenting original sources (click here for original crust recipe), maintaining integrity of original creators (click here for original pie recipe), and giving credit where it's due, thankyouverymuch. But let's face it, this IS my blog. And who wants an original boring pie crust recipe that just says "perfect pie crust" at the top anyway? So I gave this kid a total name makeover and I promise he now has more friends, already. Besides, once you fall in love with this clever concoction, the next time you make it you'll remember to come visit me again. See? Win-win!


And if you want the actual pie recipe, here ya go:


(If you want a PRINTABLE version of these recipes, click HERE.
I can't promise that it'll be readable, but it's definitely printable. Someone please tell me how it comes out).

Yummy goodness right there. Seriously the best pie crust I've ever made, no kidding. Again, not that I make a lot of pie crusts around here--or that I even know what anyone other than the party lady (with whom I am NOT sleeping with, remember) thinks about it. Still, I'll make it again.

And maybe even again.




Please click ♥ thoughtful comments ♥ (below) to let me know you stopped by. If you don't have a google or gmail account, just choose "Name/URL" or "anonymous" before submitting. THANK YOU!


15 ♥ thoughtful comments ♥:

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

Well, I'm about to make your day! Sounds like a fun party! And as usual, your creativity shines through! Both with the post and the crust. :-)

Niecey said...

Oooh I LOVE pie! (and you can tell from just looking at me!) Thanks for the recipe, it sounds delicious!

sujata sengupta said...

I am so glad to be back and really laughed at this post of yours..we are very similar though from different continents!! loved the line on the free phone..my sentiments exactly!! will attempt the recipe and let you know
love
sujata

septembermom said...

Your pie sounds yummy! Thanks for the terrific recipes too:) Glad that your apple pie made lots of people happy!

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

Boomer~ Thank you so much!

Niecey~ LOL. I'm tellin' ya, if ya just make the sauce and dip apples in it...it's just like caramel apples. I don't even care for granny smith apples normally, but there's something about this mixture that makes it work.

Sujata~ YAYAYAYAYAY! I'm SO happy that you're back to blogging. I've been thinking about you and will be headed over your way a little later today (we're about to make breakfast or I'd go indulge right this second!). HUGS!

Septembermom~ Well, at least two people were happy. Three, if you count me. :wink:

Dr. Wifey said...

sounds delightful! i would try it, but pies make me fat ;o)

beckyw said...

Pie IS MAKING ME FAT! I am still eating Andy's leftovers! Anyhow, my crust recipe is: go to Walmart, find the crusts that are pre-made and folled up in a box (usually near the refigerated biscuts), take home, and fill with your handpeeled, spiced apple guts! BAKE, and breathe in the lovely scent coming from your oven! - Tee HEE-! Love ya!

Gina said...

I hate making anything that messes up my kitchen- because as hard as I try to make it itherwise- I am the kitchen fairy. If I could have a personal anything, it would be a chef and kitchen cleaner....

Mama Nut said...

A favorite pie contest...how fun is that? But alas, I am not a huge fan of pie crusts, either (see how much we have in common?!) unless you count graham cracker crust and then I'm all over that one! I haven't made a pie in forever for the same reasons as Gina. :)

Urban Earthworm said...

Awesome! Thank you for the recipes! I hope to be able to use them sometime, though I am, admittedly, not much of a baker. When I am, though, apple pie is right up there. And if it is truly as caramelicious as you say, I'm in.

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

Dr. Wifey~ It is a crying shame, ain't it.

beckyw~ Mmmm, I'm sure Andy's is delightful, too! And I imagine your pie crust is much easier than mine...but then what would I have had to blog about this weekend, eh? :wink:

Gina~ Oooh, wouldn't that be delightful? My hubby is a pretty great chef and cleaner. Our dishwasher died last fall and he washed nearly every dish from October to June when he installed our new dishwasher. Like I said, love that guy!

Mama Nut~ Get OUT of here! I'm a total graham cracker crust NUT! I'm convinced that's why I could eat cheesecake like there's no tomorrow. Okay, off to google cheesecake recipes!

Amanda~ It really is. I tell you what, try just make the stovetop sauce which is basically the butter, flour water, and brown and white sugar. Bring it to a boil and then once it cools a bit, try dipping fresh apples in it. If it hits the spot THEN go for the full pie.

Lori said...

I knew it. I came here to get cheered up and you offer me food, yummy!! I will take 2 please.

Thanks for the kind words.

Be Safe,

Lori

Ms Perfect said...

Too funny! You get the credit because you did all the work! I do that too. :p If I add an extra ingredient or change any of the measurements to the recipe, then its mine! HAHAHAHAHA
Jenean

Deb said...

I so could have written this - although not with the same humor and wit that you have but I also hate making pies.The crusts look like the playdoh creations my kids used to make. There is never enough dough to fill the pie plate, it tears right across the top, and then the edges burn - and yes, I put foil on the edges before baking. I am getting all flustered just writing about pie dough! If I ever feel in the mood to frustrate myself and make a pie I just might try this recipe! Enjoy!

Brittany said...

Hi Shaye, it turns out I am making coconut cream pie and forgot to buy the crust so now I am making it. So, I am glad you posted this so I can use the crust recipe. Do you know if I use salted butter, can I omit the salt in the recipe? That is what I am planning on doing. Call me if you get the time, I would love to hear from you!

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