Friday, November 4, 2011

want some pumpkin pie????


If you would have asked me 20 years ago my favorite way to spend a Friday night....It would not have been to stay home & make pie.  Not even close.  But tonight was rated as one of my favorites in my fav book thus far.  I love me some family time.  And I love my kids.  I love esp. when I can bake and my hubby cleans up after me.  And I love pumpkin pie.  And while we're on the subject of love....I wanna share a couple of recipes with you that I l.o.V.e!! perfect timing if I do say myself ~for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday.

And don't get me wrong I do love a date night too on a Friday night.  But...after working from 10:30 p.m. last night until 8:30 this morning ~ I needed some catch up sleep today and after I got some shut eye...I worked on some pies for a fund raiser for Isabella's school program tomorrow.

And I'm just gonna say...pies have always intimidated me.  For like 15 years.  I've been buying pie crusts for years now from a bakery.  But some time back I tasted my sister-in-laws pie and loved the crust.  It has good texture & flavor and holds together so nicely!!   And VERY easy to make & it turns out great!! Thanks to Arlene for this!

Here's the recipe:
Makes 3 crusts:
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening
Mix together with pastry cutter

1 egg beaten
1 tsp. vinegar
1/3 cup cold water
Mix together in separate bowl and then stir into flour mixture with spoon.  Just until combined.

And for me it is partly making the crust and partly knowing how to make the edges not look stupid.  Well after watching other people for years ~something finally clicked and I got it.  I hope I can encourage you if you don't already make your own crusts.

 After rolling out~I leave 1 - 1 1/2 inches overhang of pie crust. 
 Then you pinch it together to make it stand up straight. 
 Then go back around and with one finger pinch like you're pinching someone just with the tips of your fingers....and with the other hand use just your pointer to push into the pinch.  There's many ways to do the edge...but I found this to look uniform and to be the easiest for me to learn.  
 While I was rolling out the pie crusts....William was spelling his name with bananas.  Random I know. And I love that it kept him busy for like 30 minutes.  O.k. well maybe not that long...but a good 20.  Which is like magic when 6 people are in the kitchen. 
While I was still working on crusts~ Isabella was working on the pumpkin pie filling....loving this stage where she is such a big help in the kitchen.  She doubled the recipe so we have 5.  And William???? ~well he just loves to get into any possible photo op.  Nice banana eating face son.

And would you like to know my Aunt's pumpkin pie filling???  Because it is delish!  And simple enough...

Here it is. 
Fran's Pumpkin Pie
4 eggs beaten
1- (29 oz) pumpkin
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
2 cans evaporated milk (3 cups)
Bake at 425 for 15 min. Reduce heat to 350 and bake for 40-50 minutes. 
The thing I love best about this recipe is the consistency.  And the spices are perfect.  Not to heavy~but a great flavor with just a little hint of sweet.  Yummy! Can not wait until it get's out of the oven!!!!
Suzy & Jack used the left over dough for cinnamon & sugar pie crust "cookies"~one of the things my mom used to let me do. I hardly take the time to let them create.  But I love a laid back night when we can all be doing things we love to do.  Livin' the dream folks. 

And here is the finished product.....


Would you like to try some??  If you are local...I would like to bring you a piece.  How about leaving me a comment telling me your favorite Thanksgiving food & 2 random winners will win a piece of pie.  Drawing ends Sunday. 

Good luck my little blogger friends. 

8 comments:

The Mullets said...

Wow, I am I.m.P.r.E.s.S.e.D. that you make pie crust! I absolutely LOVE pumpkin pie, but hubby doesn't, so I rarely make it because "you know who" will eat the whole thing! I must say you have inspired me, so I will try the crust recipe you posted. My favorite Thanksgiving dish is stuffing - weird, I know, but that's what I like. Oh, and pumpkin pie, of course!

bobbie said...

Mine would be anything I didn't have to make myself......hee hee.....really mine is homemade pumpkin roll.....which I am pretty sure YOU taught me go make!!!! Yummy!!!! PS....those pies looked delish!!!! And what a fun family night!!!!

Matt Blosser said...

Impressive Heather! I just might have to try your recipes. I have only ever made a couple pies and I always buy the crusts. Your sounds and looks delicious! I LOVE all the Thanksgiving food, but i am going to say that my favorite, besides dessert, are the potatoes. I love mashed potatoes made differently...cheesey, creamy, garlicy...anything ending in "ey, y". :)

Anonymous said...

Heather, your pies look good enough to eat.. ha Really they look wonderful.. I am so proud of the wonderful mother and cook you have become.. Your mom would be so proud of you as well.. she was always so concerned about you girls anyhow.. I'm sure she is looking down on you and saying.... Heather, you make me proud.. I knew you could do it my child.. what a wonderful way to spend a Friday night with your children.. You will leave a wonderful legacy for them too... Keep up the good work...

Anonymous said...

Oh, the wonderful memories you are making!! Your children will treasure those family moments all their lives. Kudos to Mr. Gingerich for being the clean-up guy (what's your secret?)! :) My favorite Thanksgiving dish is the super-good turkey and gravy that my mom makes and I need to learn how to make. Also, the cornchip salad I often take (got the recipe from a SIL). YUM!

Amy said...

I'm not too local, but I'll leave a comment for my Grandpa B'sox :) He loves pumpkin pie. My favorite thanksgiving/fall food is mashed potatoes! with buttermilk, more butter, and a little cream cheese. YUM. Your pies look awesome! :)

The Johnsons said...

Ummm would I like to? NO I would LOVE to!!! This preggo needs some Heather cookin' :) hehe! You rock mama!

My Life said...

SO I just saw this post...am I still in drawing? ha ha....did I ever tell you I love your blogs ;)))))))))You so know how to inspire the baker in me!!