Adventures in pie making

I have never done a post like this, so I thought it might be fun. I have occasionally sent baked goods with Jason to work over the last several months. Evidentally, he told his co-workers that I liked to make pies and that was the request for the latest treat. I took a break from studying for boards on Thursday while Allie was at preschool and baked up a storm. I had made pie crusts earlier in the week so all I had to do was get them out of the fridge and roll them out. I made a cherry, blueberry, apple and strawberry rhubarb pie as well as an apple crisp.

Blueberry pie filling. I had made a blueberry pie for work once before and was not a fan. But, I thought I'd try a different recipe since this was one of the requests from Jason's co-workers. It actually ended up being the favorite at the office and was a close second for me. I will definitely make this one again!

Cherry pie filling from hand picked cherries from the farm. This was my favorite pie growing up and I had never actually made one. My mom gave me some cherries and it turned out amazing!

I think my finest work was this strawberry rhubarb with fresh rhubarb. Unbelievable.

It made such a pretty pie. Instead of a crust, I put a crumble topping on it. I will definitely be doing this one again. This was Jason's favorite, after he insisted he didn't like strawberry rhubarb and he didn't think it would go over very well...he was wrong!

I make apple pies most simply because you can always get fresh apples year round and it's usually a favorite of family at holiday time.

Just for those of you who doubt...yes, I do peel my apples in one long strip. It takes no time at all. Cutting them takes a little longer!

I use both brown and white sugar in my apple pies.

There are many ways to make a good pie crust. My mom uses lard and I have friends who use butter. I use crisco (butter flavored)! Rolling out the pie dough is the hardest part simply because after 3 or 4 crusts you start to get a little tired!

Finished Product:

As you can see, the fruit pies always spill over. I put foil under them to catch the juice. A small part of my cherry pie crust broke off, and all the juice came pouring out. It was still delicious!

The apple and strawberry rhubarb

Doesn't that just look soooo yummy! Jason brought me a piece home, and it was one of the best pies I have ever had.

The problem with baking...

Allie likes to go through my spice cabinet. This is why I can never find anything.

She just got caught opening the pepper after I told her not to!

For dinner we had pork chops and broccoli with snow peas and rice.

It was a busy day of cooking!!