Pie, cont. (or Arggg, I’m a Pirate!)

OK, so I made the pie and the verdict is in. It was just okay. Here are the problems as I see them.

A. The crust wasn’t flaky enough, it got too soggy. This however, is a solvable problem…not one I’m too concerned about in the first attempt. I mean, first of all…I didn’t even make the crust myself.

B. The “sauce” was too saucy. In other words, it was too thin. I think in pie form this dish would be much better if the caramelized rummy goodness were more like a pecan pie consistency…maybe.

C. The brie didn’t come through well. I blame this mainly on the quality of the brie. I also think making the above changes would help by giving more textural complexity, less melding of flavors, and allowing more successful eating while the pie was still warm. (Mmm, gooey brie)

D. Not sure this is a problem, more of an area that requires further investigation. I’m thinking something should be done differently with the pears themselves, less cooking time? Maybe mix some smaller dice into the sauce and then top with larger pieces? …who knows!

So, anyhow. Below are some more lovely pictures of the pie.

Pears in Pan

Brie in Pie

Pears in Pie

Now, let’s get on with the more exciting part of this whole venture. While making the pie I sliced my finger! YAY! Ok, so you may be thinking either this girl is crazy or she is being totally sarcastic and not in the spirit of the blog…but you would be wrong! HAHA!

BECAUSE…for Christmas I was the proud recipient of a canister of Pirate band-aids. That honor may have had something to do with my tendency to say ARgggg, when I’m annoyed etc and then laugh at myself by following it up with “I’m a Pirate.” Just a guess…

Anyhow, I was very unfortunate in that I had not inflicted any damage upon myself since receiving what will from this point on be referred to as “The Glorious Gift.” So, as you might expect any well adjusted person to do…immediately after slicing into my finger I remembered the band-aids and practically skipped (no joke) over to the living room to retrieve them. And of course, afterwards I took pictures!

 

Pie.

I watched Waitress a few weeks ago.  I was sitting at home bored and decided if I was gonna have nothing to do, I might as well watch a movie.  So off to Redbox I went… 

The movie was good, I would definitely recommend it.  However, like many movies the best way to go into it is not expecting too much.  It’s fun, and it passes the time.  Not a masterpiece but definitely a good solid movie.

Anyhow, that’s not what this post is about.  This post is about pie.  Now, if you’ve got any inclination towards baking and you watch this movie you will understand why I suddenly have an urge to make pie…and not just any pie.  I want to make fabulous, one of kind, newly invented pies.  Pies that are magical and delicious.  Pies that have a heart in the middle, as the the main character sings in the movie.

So, here is my first idea for a pie:

I make this baked brie dish…it’s not unique I’m sure, I got the vague idea from an appetizer I shared years ago with a couple of friends.  From there I just did what I usually do, bought the ingredients I thought should go in it and started cooking…with lots of tasting until I had a final product.  Anyhow, it’s basically pears in a sort of caramelized sauce made from brown sugar, butter, and spiced rum.  Then I dump the mixture on top of  some brie…bake it till the brie is bubbly and serve with french bread. 

That dish turned into a pie will be my first attempt.  Now, to be completely honest…I haven’t made a lot of pies in my life.  In fact I would say I’m not usually a big fan of pie in general, but perhaps we can change that!

I’ll let you know how it goes… 

 

The New Adventures of Merman Dan

This blog is supposed to be filled with people talking about their hobbies, their interests, the topics about which they are irrationally exuberant. The thing is, while I do get excited about things from time to time, what I am most excited about is learning how to be irrationally exuberant about life.

I ran across this quote a while back…

We are always getting ready to live but never living. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Unfortunately that sentiment is reflected all too readily in my life. I spend so much time worrying about getting things wrong or what other people think that I don’t do much of anything. With that in mind, my posts will document my attempt to turn this habit of always preparing for life into a habit of constantly living it…happily, vibrantly, and yes…in a manner you could only call irrationally exuberant. Wish me luck!