Caramel Apple Pie for Christmas

This Pie is a Caramel Apple Pie with a lattice crust...I got this recipe from my sister and recruited my family to do the apple slicing and dough rolling.  Making an easy simple dough for a double layer pie and then drizzling fresh squeezed lemon on the apples as we sliced, I quickly made a caramel sauce on the stove.  The pie turned out to be one of the best EVER, not overly sweet either.  We will be making it again and will report back to the Pie Blog - next time with a thicker caramel sauce and perhaps the addition of cranberries!!!

New Mommy continues to Bake Pies despite all obstacles...

Yes, the WannabePieChef continues...despite the obvious life change of becoming a Mommy.  I have made it through almost 10 months of mommy-hood, and not many pies were made, but indeed a new pie was discovered.  The store-bought Pie! No--just kidding.  My creation of the past season was a chilaquiles pie, and it's basically a taco pie.  Layer in the totopos and ground beef or whatever your flavor, chicken or steak; a layer of refried beans and jalepeños and onions (fresh or sauteéd) and of course the queso. A layer of salsa goes in between. Bake for as long as it takes to make it all melty and yummy.  Put some fresh chopped tomatoes on top.  Pour on some hot sauce as you like.  You could sub in eggs and make it a brunch thing, or chorizo, or mushrooms and more cheese.  I made this pie for my mexican relatives and they agreed that I can finally cook. (Andalé!) Stay tuned for the Christmas 2015 pie coming soon!

Giving Thanks at Pie Time!

This 2014 there's a lot to be thankful for, pies are on the list, as always! ...Practicing gratitude on a regular basis has been a theme I've taken up this year in particular.  Finding time each day to be grateful for something is the idea.  Each year presents new challenges and rewards; It's good practice to recognize the time for harvest, however big or small and whatever metaphorically that harvest may be.  Thanksgiving is really a great holiday for just that, maybe obviously so, and although I'm not cooking a ton of dishes, the guest list is short, and the bounty is small, I recognize my harvest this year simply as a couple of accomplishments I can be proud of, some challenges that were overcome, and a deeper appreciation for some very caring friends and family members who have stood tall in very nasty weather (literally and figuratively!)  Most of all I am thankful for health and some amazing special events coming soon in the next season!

This year my sister and I took on some Paleo, Whole Foods nutrition programs, and with that in mind comes this recipe for an amazing traditional Pecan Pie that ditches the corn syrup in favor of organic maple syrup, and utilizes an almond flour crust to get away from gluten.  The recipe can be found at the 'Deliciously Organic' website.  (In my opinion, Thanksgiving also needs a pumpkin candidate, so I'm making an organic pumpkin cake this year with cream cheese frosting.  This one is new!)

A recent yummy find at Mission Pie, Potato & Onion...had to order two slices!

The Littlest Pie Shop in Baja; A Big Tart goes Patriotic

Hello Pie Eaters, Makers, and Fans!  It's been some time since the last WannaBePieChef posted, so here's a Double Issue for your delight.
This 2014 I visited what is indeed the littlest and perhaps only of its kind in Baja California, Ette's Pies in the town of Loreto, B.C.S., Mexico.  Ette's Pies makes handmade pies daily, and supplements the menu with Muffins, Cakes, and cookies.  This is perhaps the cutest pie shop in all of Mexico, and certainly unique to Baja.  The owner is Paulette Gochie, and we can raise a coffee cup to her pies which are as pleasing and delicious as they come.

Ette's Cherry Pie

A Big Tart from Porto's Bakery and Café was a special for the 4th of July holiday in Glendale, California and we were lucky to pick up the last one.  Made from strawberries, blueberries and pears, and a vanilla creme, it was devoured in under a minute by a party of world cup fanatics before you could say 'Goooooooooooooool' !!! 

Porto's Patriot Pie

Phat Beets! Pot Pie

Happy Spring! 

It's officially time to tiptoe through the tulips, and a light rain is falling.  Well, for most of us it's still pretty cold outside, and tip-toe-ing may cause a little chill.  

What's the remedy? Phat Beet Pot Pies, of course!  With a puff pastry and fresh veggies, and leftover organic roast chicken, making Chicken Pot Pie Nouveau is easy enough to make, for yourself or for a crowd.  My version is special because I've made this pie from the leftover veggies that came in my share this week from the Phat Beets! Box*.  

Even though early spring is the least diverse time of year for veggies, this is still quite a wonderful pot pie using local carrots, rosemary, onions, and a hint of ginger.  Phat Beets is bringing the food justice to the people! ...And good food to the pie blogger's kitchen.  

"Phat Beets Produce aims 'to create a healthier, more equitable food system in North Oakland through providing affordable access to fresh produce, facilitating youth leadership in health and nutrition education, and connecting small farmers to urban communities via the creation of farm stands, farmers’ markets, and urban youth market gardens."

*You can find them online and sign up for a Beet Box if you are in the East San Francisco Bay Area.

Mission Pie is Pie in the Mission, SF

Following the city of San Francisco's love affair with baseball and the World Series Parade during the October of 2012, I needed something really grounding...it was time to get back to The Pie Blog.  I did something long overdue...I visited Mission Pie San Francisco, and to make up for the sabbatical from Pie and all things Pie, I went two (2) times in one (1) day !

Plum Pie at Mission Pie

Thus ends the Pie hiatus.  It ended up being one of the most happy and wonderful Pie days of all time, a weekday, (not even a holiday,) and since both visits were memorable, for pie and friendship, this counts as a special Pie day 'forever-more'.  It is the Return of Pie.

The first visit occured at 10:15 in the morning, the second, at closing, 9:45 pm, with my four Pie tasting comrades --experts. We agree. Piez waz exzellnt.  San Francisco Mission Pie rules the Pie universe unquestionably, and is located at Mission and 25th.

A Year of Great Pies ...A Grand Finale

A Year of Great Pies comes to a Grand Finale at Grandma's house...

There you have it...what I'd call an EPIC year of Pie has come to a close.  What that means is, that new pies are coming.  Fresh, fruity, yummy, homemade, perhaps you have a Pie that brought you together with friends, family, that was the centerpiece to a heart story.  The Pie Blog memorializes those special pies.  (That's what Pie Bloggin' is all about!)  THANKS to the Pie contributors this year!

Grandma has the Classy Touch. Homemade Pies in Maryland presented with love.

Grammy's Holiday Home Dessert Table.

A gorgeous southern Pecan Classic. Do not attempt a calorie count.

Starry Apple.  Home Comfort Cooking.  My gratitude to the chef and photographer who contributed these beautiful pies!