Prep Work

Today after a busy but good day at work, the baking of pies for Thursday began. This is sort of a new hobby of mine. I have made a few pies in past years but have never made the pie crusts from scratch. And, I have always done the standard pies, nothing fancy. Well, a few weeks ago a wonderful woman invited me to make caramel pies with her. This is a recipe that her mom used to make and works best if you have two people. I showed up on a Saturday morning about 9:30 am, a little nervous and with a half gallon of milk in my hand. Helen promptly put me to work making crusts. Well, I have to say that even though I had a guiding hand, those crusts (and the subsequent pies) turned out great. Helen loaned me a cookbook called "The Great American Pie" cookbook and after spending about a week reading and drooling on the pages I decided to purchase that book for my own shelf. Last night, I finally was brave enough to get my hands dirty and I have to say that for my first attempt, I think I am on the road to a happy pie baking hobby.

The first pie was just a shell and it shrunk up horribly so it was deemed as a reject and Bibianna and I nibbled on it while we worked on #2 and #3. The second pie was a pecan coconut pie from my new cookbook. It was pretty easy and I have to say that it looks and smells delicious. Not only does it have pecans and coconut, but it also has chocolate and some grated orange peel. Also, I worked at rolling the crust out gently and not stretching it and it didn't shrink when baked. I hope that it tastes as good as it looks and smells.

Third pie is going to be a white chocolate banana cream pie. Now, all I have to say to Joey is ___________ cream pie and he becomes putty in my hands. This pie is kind of complicated and I am halfway finished. I think that although my first attempt won't be to the standard that I like, for instance I think I cooked the custard on too high a heat and it thickened up too much and too fast, I think that it will still be edible. The oreo crust and bananas with custard are chilling and firming up in the refrigerator. All that is left is the white chocolate mousse that goes on top.

Tomorrow, I will attempt a chocolate chiffon pie, again, another new one. Usually I make chocolate meringue, but Bibianna doesn't like meringue and loves chocolate pie, so that will be for her. The worst part will be having to wait until Thursday to taste.

I love Thanksgiving and I love all the cooking and baking. Makes me wonder why I don't do it more often.