This week I made a coconut cream pie. It was another pie from my new book. I think it turned out well, but there were issues with the filling.
I beat together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla. But when I poured in the warm milk and shredded coconut, and beat it together, the filling expanded and filled with air. When I went to pour it into the crust, it wouldn't fit. So I baked the pie, and of course the filling completely shrank.
I used whipped cream to fill in the difference in the pie, and it still tasted good. I will definitely try this pie again, but might use a different recipe.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Week #27 January 28 - February 6
I've been saying for quite some time that I want to make non-dessert pies. Or as some might say, "savory". This past week my mom sent me a recipe for an onion pie. It seemed simple, and I decided to give it a shot.
Let me also state that I don't consider a quiche a pie. I know it is similar, but I decided long ago that I would not consider a quiche a pie for this project of mine. That being said, the onion pie has some definite quiche qualities.
For starters, I made way too much filling for the pie crust. I actually had enough to make two pies. Second, this pie isn't the heartiest. I've been eating it along with soup, but on it's own, it isn't a meal. And lastly, because it has egg in it, along with sour cream, there is an eggy type consistency, similar to a quiche.
But I've enjoyed in. A good break in tradition. And a nice warm slice of this is a great way to beat the dog-days of winter, as this one has been barking for a while.
Let me also state that I don't consider a quiche a pie. I know it is similar, but I decided long ago that I would not consider a quiche a pie for this project of mine. That being said, the onion pie has some definite quiche qualities.
For starters, I made way too much filling for the pie crust. I actually had enough to make two pies. Second, this pie isn't the heartiest. I've been eating it along with soup, but on it's own, it isn't a meal. And lastly, because it has egg in it, along with sour cream, there is an eggy type consistency, similar to a quiche.
But I've enjoyed in. A good break in tradition. And a nice warm slice of this is a great way to beat the dog-days of winter, as this one has been barking for a while.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Week #26 February 21 - 27
Last week when I was home, I bought this pie book:
It's titled "Bubby's Homemade Pies". It is a great book. The author, Ron Silver opened a pie shop in NYC, which is now rather famous (of course). But he breaks things down nicely in the book, for a beginner like myself. Also, he describes using seasonal food, something that I'm an advocate of. There are a ton of recipes, for not only sweet pies, but also savory, and tarts, buckles, etc. I have been flipping through it since I bought it, thinking about the different pies I would try. For my pie this week I made an Apple Ginger Honey pie.
As for the recipe, well, I don't feel like typing it out. To be honest, it was good, but I think it needs some tweaking. For starters, I wasn't a huge fan of the crust that they use in here. I thought it was too thin, and hard to roll out. And the apples didn't cook down well enough. I think I should have pre-cooked them slightly in a pan. In my opinion, the pear ginger maple pie is a better pie.
Also this past week, one of my friends and co-workers was transferred to another location in our company. For her going away party, I made both a Key Lime and a Mint Oreo pie. They have become crowd favorites in my office.
It's titled "Bubby's Homemade Pies". It is a great book. The author, Ron Silver opened a pie shop in NYC, which is now rather famous (of course). But he breaks things down nicely in the book, for a beginner like myself. Also, he describes using seasonal food, something that I'm an advocate of. There are a ton of recipes, for not only sweet pies, but also savory, and tarts, buckles, etc. I have been flipping through it since I bought it, thinking about the different pies I would try. For my pie this week I made an Apple Ginger Honey pie.
As for the recipe, well, I don't feel like typing it out. To be honest, it was good, but I think it needs some tweaking. For starters, I wasn't a huge fan of the crust that they use in here. I thought it was too thin, and hard to roll out. And the apples didn't cook down well enough. I think I should have pre-cooked them slightly in a pan. In my opinion, the pear ginger maple pie is a better pie.
Also this past week, one of my friends and co-workers was transferred to another location in our company. For her going away party, I made both a Key Lime and a Mint Oreo pie. They have become crowd favorites in my office.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Week #25 February 14 - 20
At Trader Joe's, they had some great look avocados, so I decided to get some and make an avocado pie. On an aside, I've really been enjoying shopping at TJ's lately. But back to the pie at hand. So the avocado pie is made in the same vein as a key lime pie, but I didn't have any idea how it would taste.
I went about using this recipe. It was definitely a winner.
The cream cheese gave it a nice creamy base, but it wasn't heavy like a cheese-cake type pie that I've made in the past. As for the taste, it has hints of both avocado and lime, with a slightly sweet finish. I made it for our regular Thursday night Dinner Club, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
I went about using this recipe. It was definitely a winner.
The cream cheese gave it a nice creamy base, but it wasn't heavy like a cheese-cake type pie that I've made in the past. As for the taste, it has hints of both avocado and lime, with a slightly sweet finish. I made it for our regular Thursday night Dinner Club, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Week #24 February 7 - 13
For Valentine's Day coming up, this week I made a chocolate-strawberry pie on Sunday, and brought it into work on Monday. The pie had a regular crust, with a chocolate filling. Topped with a layer of strawberries, and then whipped cream. Here is the recipe.
The layer of chocolate was good, but a problem that I had was that it was very stiff. It used a whole package of mini-marshmallows with the melted chocolate. Even after I cooled it, and whipped it to fluff it up, it still didn't seem to get a lighter texture that I was looking for.
Unfortunately, I had the opposite problems with the strawberries. I cooked a portion of them, and then added some whole. But the didn't thicken the way I would have liked to. So I had a too firm layer of chocolate, topped with a too liquid layer of strawberries.
But, my co-workers appeared to enjoy it. I would try this pie again, but use a different recipe.
The layer of chocolate was good, but a problem that I had was that it was very stiff. It used a whole package of mini-marshmallows with the melted chocolate. Even after I cooled it, and whipped it to fluff it up, it still didn't seem to get a lighter texture that I was looking for.
Unfortunately, I had the opposite problems with the strawberries. I cooked a portion of them, and then added some whole. But the didn't thicken the way I would have liked to. So I had a too firm layer of chocolate, topped with a too liquid layer of strawberries.
But, my co-workers appeared to enjoy it. I would try this pie again, but use a different recipe.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Week #23 January 31 - February 6
This week I made a banana cream pie. I will cut to the chase, and say that it was an epic failure. The taste was good, but it ended up being a banana cream pudding in a crust. I'm not going to put the recipe, because it isn't worth it.
On an aside, I made a mixed berry pie for the Super Bowl. Turned out awesome. I let the berries thaw more than last time. I also used a teaspoon of corn starch to thicken up the filling.
On an aside, I made a mixed berry pie for the Super Bowl. Turned out awesome. I let the berries thaw more than last time. I also used a teaspoon of corn starch to thicken up the filling.
Week #22 January 24 - 30
This week I wanted to make something a little different, and went with a Mint Oreo pie. I found a recipe for regular Oreo pie, and simply substituted mint Oreo's for regular ones in the filling. I also exchanged real whipped cream for the cool whip.
This pie seems to be a big hit the two times I've made it. I used my smaller pie tin, which works better for the Oreo crust. The pie has a more cheesecake like consistency than most other pies I've made.
One last thing, I like using recipes from actual brand websites. A lot of times I feel like they've been tested more extensively than other recipes, and tend to have good overall results.
This pie seems to be a big hit the two times I've made it. I used my smaller pie tin, which works better for the Oreo crust. The pie has a more cheesecake like consistency than most other pies I've made.
One last thing, I like using recipes from actual brand websites. A lot of times I feel like they've been tested more extensively than other recipes, and tend to have good overall results.
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