Aren't blueberries beautiful? They are my Dad's favorite fruit and pretty amazing little things. They were delicious and made me feel a little better about this week's Dorie treat- Double Crusted Blueberry Pie. I love pie. I love making it, eating it, and sharing it. Before I go any further, I'd like to share a great tip I learned in my cooking class at BYU- line your measuring cup with a big square of plastic wrap before scooping in the shortening. Then, just pull out the plastic by the sides and dump the shortening into whatever you need (or toss it into the freezer for a good chill before making your crust). Okay, I just wanted to make sure everyone got that before I moved onto more photos of lovely fruit. I know that was kind of random, but when you no longer have to scrub out a slimy measuring cup you'll be grateful!
So... blueberries are a superfood! I did a little research and can't believe how good they are for your heart, your brain, your skin- everything! So butter pie crust might not be the best vehicle, but at least you're getting your share of antioxidants in while enjoying this fabulous pie!
There's also something wonderful about eating pie, something homey and relaxing. I loved the color on the crust and the overall look of this dessert. It wasn't fancy or daunting but inviting and welcoming! My cousin came for lunch and after the main course she casually said, "So... are we going to break into that pie or what?" That's my kind of dessert.
This is the first time I've made a mainly- butter pie crust. While it was a little more temperamental than my stand-by, it was SO good. My husband commented on how much he loved the flavor of the dough. I used a small pie tin (an old Marie Callendar's) and it made enough for that, three pieces, a few pie crust cookies. After I got used to the softer texture of this dough, everything went fine. I had made the dough the night before and set it out on the counter for a couple of minutes before I rolled it out. After I assembled the pie, I trimmed the edges. I like to balance the pie on one hand and rotate it while I trim with the back of a paring knife. It fast and effective and makes lots of scraps that my husband dutifully gathers up.
I used egg wash (with a sprinkle of sugar) like Dorie recommends on the big pie and milk on two of the minis. It was pretty close after baking so in the future I'll go with whatever is at hand.
That is some beautiful and tasty pie filling, if I do say so. I was shocked by how great the filling came together- a little blueberry, flour, sugar, zest, and lemon juice yielded some delicious filling (and coming from a strawberry girl, I was shocked how much I liked it!) It was a little juicy, as you can see from the oozing on top, so I might add a little Ultra Gel next time, although I think the juices running over just increases the anticipation.
The mini-pies looked so good straight out of the oven! I'm not sure why smaller things are so appealing, but they certainly are!
This little pretty LOVED the blueberry pie and made such a cute face when we told her to stick out her tongue and let us see if it was blue! And it was. Along with several toys, my sons knee and calf (how did you get blueberry there, baby?) and this little girl's dress. But it was totally worth it. The recipe is available at Amy's Blog. It's simple, easy, and I'm told it's national blueberry month, so go make some right now!
I agree, mini pastries are just so much cuter. And yours are lovely. I enjoyed the story about the kids getting "blue" everywhere!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are great, especially the shot with all of the berries showing. It looks so good! The mini's are adorable, as are the pictures of your little one! Nice job. By the way...that's a really nice picture of you on the side of your blog! :o)
ReplyDeleteI love mini works also. This is the first recipe I actually made full-size. Your pictures are great!
ReplyDeleteI so prefer pies to cakes or cookies. They are one of my favorite desserts. And, Anne, you have one of the cutest blogs I've seen - you always manage to bring a smile to my face!
ReplyDeleteMadam Chow
http://www.mzkitchen.com
What gorgeous blueberries, but check out the blue peepers on your little one! Sooo darling!
ReplyDeleteMinis are just too cute. I'm surprised you had runny filling - it seems most people's was quite thick.
ReplyDeleteHi! I am new to TWD -- I just joined a few days ago. I really enjoyed reading your post. I learned so much! This week's recipe was my very first try at baking a pie. I hope to be as good at it as you some day! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great, so delicious! yum! Yours look perfect!
ReplyDeleteI agree about minis, but it's much more work. Enjoy your kids getting blue everywhere, they grow up so fast!
ReplyDeleteI like all the pictures
Ulrike from Küchenlatein
Everything is cuter when its smaller! Very nice photos and yummy looking pies.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job & beautiful baby!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the mini pastries! And the picture with all of the berries showing is amazing! The color of those blueberries is perfection! And how cute is that little girl?!?!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful (pie and child)!!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely enjoy step by step photos! Great work! :-)
Thanks for the welcome. Your pies look delicious. I wish I would have thought of mini pies- then maybe I wouldn't have eaten too many pieces!
ReplyDeleteGreat pics and thanks for the shortenening tip! That's a keeper!
ReplyDeleteYour mini pies look gorgeous! And the pictures of your little one are so cute! :)
ReplyDeleteYour mini-pies look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteyour mini pies look so cute and delicious! great job!
ReplyDeleteLovely pies, so delicious looking. I liked the comparative study of eggwash vs milk. Great work.
ReplyDeleteYour pies look wonderful! I love blueberries too. Thanks for the tip about measuring shortening.
ReplyDeleteLovely, Anne!!!
ReplyDelete(So cool you went to BYU. We're moving to Provo next month.)
I loved the mini pie my son made for me with extra crust -- the big one was pretty, but mine was adorable. As are the shots of the baby girl at the bottom of your post!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute--the pies and the baby!
ReplyDeleteWe live about 30 minutes south of BYU in Woodland Hills. Thanks for the shortening tip and your pies look great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful little girl! Love the minis your crust came out perfect!
ReplyDeleteYour pies look so good! I love the pictures, too... your blueberries look so blue!
ReplyDeleteMini's are so cute, love the picture of the tongue.
ReplyDeleteLove your mini pie plates, and your pies look lovely!
ReplyDeleteYour pies look so good! I love your pictures. Man I wish My pictures looked that good!
ReplyDeletethose look fab Anne...i love your trimming method...so neat and clean!! my juice bubbled up over the crust too..!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Love your new picture by the way! You look darling!
ReplyDeleteGood tip on the shortening. I'm so lazy, I don't even bother measuring it because I'm afraid of the grease. I usually just eyeball, but on the skimpier side to feel better about using all that fat. I love how the berries look like they are going to burst with sweetness
ReplyDeleteYour pie filling is so dark and beautiful! It looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos and great post...this all looks so great. Lvoe the little one...she is so cute and sweet. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete~Kayte
www.grandmaskitchentable.typepad.com
they look great! if blueberries were everywhere, that's only because everyone loves them!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! My toddler was covered in blue last week, but it wasn't blueberries. I didn't realize that she could reach the permanent marker I had on the kitchen counter... it took about three days for it all to wear off . =)
ReplyDeleteI love your tip about lining the measuring cup with plastic wrap Great idea. Beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteShari@Whisk: a food blog
Gorgeous pictures! And thanks for the plastic wrap tip. It's so simple but I would've never come up with it on my own!
ReplyDeleteLovely pies! And yes, my children had blueberry on odd places as well. Personally I didn't want to waste a bit of it but apparently their ears and elbows needed to taste the filling as well. Go figure!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely pies, and your baby girl is so cute!You are a lucky mum Anne.
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures of the blueberries--great job. I also love the star in the middle instead of the circle, so cute.
ReplyDeleteyes, great tip about the shortening and measuring cups. your mini pies look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBlueberries are indeed beautiful! So is your pie.
ReplyDeleteSo glad everyone thinks MY baby girl is so adorable. :o) Her tongue just doesn't look as blue as it was in real life. I wonder why. But her eyes definitely made up for it. Thanks for NOT getting me in that picture. I gotta start looking good when I come over. You pull that camera out of nowhere!!! And for anyone still reading these comments, the blueberry pie TASTED even better than it looked, IF YOU CAN IMAGINE!
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