Summer of Pie: Fresh Strawberry Pie

After indulging in episode after episode of Pushing Daisies I finally rolled out my first pie of Summer of Pie! We were going to a family celebration, Birthdays and BBQ, the tradition that started last year where the whole family gets together and celebrates everyone birthdays, eats BBQ (of course!) and each family brings a cake or pie. It excessive and deliciously fun!

This year I contributed a fresh strawberry pie. I searched recipe after recipe and found that the best liked pies had jello in them, an ingredient I wasn't willing to use. I opted to make a glaze out of pureed strawberries, water and corn starch. It turned out ok, but because of the pieces of fruit/seeds it wasn't super smooth and glossy and the lack of red food coloring left it rather pink in color. The flavor was good though and the layer of cream cheese whipped with lemon juice and powdered sugar balanced the sweetness of the fruit. I wouldn't say I've mastered the fresh strawberry pie just yet, but it was a pretty good attempt!

The recipes for the pie filling I used can be found here. The modifications being I kept the strawberries whole to prevent the pie from becoming too wet, and half the water called for in the recipe was replaced with pureed strawberries.

I used this pie crust recipe, which happened to be my first time using lard (which I found a little intimidating!) and it resulted in the best crust I have made to date. I partially credit Amy Thielen for this because after watching an episode of Heartland Table (which I love, love, love!) I realized I have been adding too much water, touching it too much, and not allowing it to chill before rolling it out.

To take the edge off the sweetness of the pie and add a little richness I decided to whip up the block of cream cheese I had in the fridge with the juice of half a lemon and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. I spread it into the bottom of the crust before piling the strawberries in and I think it made the pie extra tasty. I opted to forgo the whipped cream and instead drizzled dark chocolate over the top and pipe the remaining bit of cream cheese filling on top to hold my whole strawberry in place.

I wish I would have gotten a picture of this sliced because the view of the red berry atop the creamy layer of cheese nestled into a flaky crust was beautiful! I couldn't get said picture because my plate my have been piled high with a bit of each treat that was brought...
I told you it was excessive and delicious!

A peak at Birthdays & BBQ 2015:

Stephanie and the Pie Maker

Stephanie was 31 years, five moths and twenty-one days old at the time of the summer solstice. It was summer solstice that set off a chain of events known as The Summer of Pie. The Summer of Pie meant Stephanie would bake no less than a pie a month for the entirety of the summer, thus mastering the art of pie baking. Stephanie was pleased at the thought of such an endeavor and went to work straight away seeking out recipes. Using the knowledge and wisdom of the pie maker himself, Ned, she set out rolling pin in hand.

I have made a pie or two in my day, but I have never felt as though I have mastered a recipe. I grew up in a house where pie filling came in cans and a crust could be rolled out from a box, no cookbook or recipe required. I never feel shame from tearing the plastic off a pastry prepared by Marie Calendar, however I do feel so much joy when I prepare something from scratch. I love giving the gift of food made by my own hands and there is something about the classic pie that appeals to me. No fuss, no frills, just butter and fruit.

I can still remember our family being presented a pie by a neighbor when we moved into our first house. It was such a kind gesture, a little nostalgic of days gone by. It stuck with me, if you ever want to make someone feel welcome bake them a pie.

Of course I can't talk pie without thinking of the show I loved so dearly that was taken off the air before its time. Was I the only one who LOVED Pushing Daisies? Oh the tragic romance of Ned and Chuck... And who doesn't want a little happiness baked into a pie when you're feeling like the aunts? And Olive, oh, Olive, I too break into song from time to time. I just don't have the pipes you do! Mostly though it's The Pie Hole that has stolen my heart. It's a dreamy little dive that I want to close my eyes and pretend I'm at, rolling out pies and serving up coffee.

I decided I needed a Pushing Daisies fix and ordered the DVDs which of course led to my determination to make summer of 2015 The Summer of Pie. I plan on whipping up pie after delicious, flaky pie. Eating piece after piece for the sake of research until the prefect pie is achieved!  Of course this for the well being (and pie eating) of my dear friends and family who are subjected to my baking. I'm doing this for you!

Okay, maybe it's for myself.

And Ned.

Let the pie making begin!