Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Pizza.....Pie....and Pickin' Fruit

It was a nice day.   We had gray skies, with some scattered showers.   A perfect day to stay home and cook.  I dropped Noah to school, carrying his umbrella and stomping in every puddle he could find along the way.  Then came home and made this yummy pie I had seen on a sweet friend's blog.
Maryjane is crazy talented and has such a charming blog.  Do go visit her.  Her recipe is as follows:

Buttermilk Pie, Oh My!
~
"Pat in the Pan" Pie Crust
(you can also use a frozen pie crust)
2 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup oil
2 T milk
1 1/2 t salt
Mix together and "pat" into the pan and make a pretty edge. set aside.
~
Pie Filling
Mix together until frothy:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup melted butter - cool and drizzle in bowl
1 t vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
(no buttermilk? Make your own:
1 cup milk & 2 T cider vinegar. Stir, chill.-Martha Stewart)
2 T flour
4 eggs
Pour into pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or by tapping the side of the pie pan and center barely moves.
Make sure you take your first bite when it is a bit warm! Oh, so good!
It reminded me of a custard pie, which is an all time favorite of mine.   I have never made a custard pie before, but every time I happen to visit a diner, and there is homemade custard pie in the case, I have to have a slice!!!!  Mmmmmm!   This pie did not disappoint!!!!
 It only takes a few simple ingredients.  I just happened to have one pie crust left over in the fridge, so I whipped this pie up in no time.
I always have fresh eggs these days, thanks to my girls.    These were brought in just this morning.  Whisk ingredients together, and pour into prepared pie crust.  The only thing I did differently, was add a generous amount of fresh ground nutmeg.  Both to the pie while mixing, and then I dusted the top with it as well.  Whole nutmeg can be hard to find, and also quite expensive.  But the flavor is so far superior to the ground nutmeg you buy.  I have noticed that almost every market now carries a section where they feature some spices in the cellophane bags for far less than you can buy them in the spice aisle.  I buy whole nutmeg this way, and then keep it in a sealed jar in my spice drawer. 
 I could have used my smaller pie plate, and not had so much crust showing.  Next time I will use a differnt dish, or make more custard to fill the shell.
Pop it into the oven for 45 minutes.  The aroma will keep you watching the clock, because you will be so anxious to  have a slice!!
It came out of the oven with a beautiful caremelized top on it.  When I cut into it, that little bit of a crust on top reminded me of a creme brulee.  And when I bit into it, the flavor was a cross between a traditional custard pie and a creme brulee.  It was divine!
Both of my girls were here this afternoon, and they each had a slice.  Here is what they thought....
Yep, I would say they enjoyed it.  Nice mani Eri!!
After the pie devouring, we got our wellies on and went out back to pick fruit.  Clairey was first to be ready to go.
 I love the way they are all sort of stooping over to look at the chickens.  Can you see Tillie way over there on the park bench?  Silly chickens!  We need to get Noah a pair of Wellies so he can stomp in the mud too! 
Genny got the picker, and I got the wagon, and off we went.  The kids were big helpers!
 And they had some silly fun too.

I was surprised at how good Gennifer was at picking!  In all of her years growing up here, I don't believe she ever picked a single avocado.  Once.  Ever!
They filled up the wagon, and then it took the three of them to push, pull and guide the wagon back into the yard.
After the kids all went home, I made a pizza for dinner.  I like to buy a couple of pizza dough balls at a time, and keep some in the freezer for those days when I don't want to make a big dinner.  They defrost quick, and you can make a pizza with just about anything.  I made mine with red pepper rings, mushrooms, tomatoes, mozzarella, and ham.  Tonight I didn't even bother with a pizza pan.  I just put some cornmeal down on a heavy duty tray and pressed the dough out into a rough rustic rectangle. 
I baked it at 425 for about 16 minutes.  When it came out of the oven, I slid it off onto the butcher block so that I could cut it into squares.
Then I topped it with fresh spicy arugula and parmesan cheese with a light drizzle of olive oil.   Delicious!
 Bon Appetit!
XO  Kris

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Always amazing here. And you made from scratch pie too. Wowsa. I need to make that salad on the pizza soon. Looks great and fresh and healthy too.

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Yeah, so glad you made the pie Kris! Isn't it a dream! I thought the same thing when I took my first bite..custard pie and a creme brûlée! I think that is why I love it so! Looks like you all had a great day "pick'in in the back yard. Thanks for the recipe for the pizza! Don't you just love getting fresh eggs from the hens! I always say "if I run out of eggs, all I need to do it wait until the morning and I'll have some"!

Thinking of ya!
Hugs,
Maryjane

Holly said...

It was that gosh darn pie you were eating when we were playing Words with Friends, huh? So much better than Brian's mashed potatoes! I grew up on something called Wick's Cream Pie in Indiana. Looks just like this. My all time favorite. Is it really avocado season already? Why aren't I there? Pie and avocados, pure torture!

Holly said...

P.S. Wally swallows

Janna said...

I can always count on you for recipes I HAVE to try. That pizza looks soooo good, and since I'm buying buttermilk anyway...maybe I should make the pie too.

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Kris,
That all looked so fun and delicious! The kids sure are cute and sweet. They are also good little workers. I love the pie and want to try it. Is it low cal?! Just kidding. And pizza is my favorite favorite food! Just can't get enough! Love your rustic make.
Thanks for sharing, xoRobin❤

Sunny Simple Life said...

Oh I want some avocados. My inlaws tree has stopped for the year. I miss them. That pie looks so good and yum the pizza looks wonderful too. You feed that family well.

Nicolle said...

The pizza looks delicious. I will be right over for a slice, and I will bring my own wagon for the avocados. :) You are so lucky to have those avocados! WOW.

Debbie said...

Good morning! All your yummy looking food always makes me want to whip out my pans and get to work, haha...The pie just looks and sounds divine, and so does the pizza...yum. I love custard too. I have been enjoying a slice of avocados on my sandwiches and salads these last couple of days...soo good. Have a good day Kris!

Pam said...

The pie looks amazing & I love the picture of the girls licking their plates. The pizza topped with arugula looks outstanding too!

I must say, I am so jealous of your orange & avocado tree... you are such a lucky lady! xoxo

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love a "press in the pan" pie crust--it really speeds things up! The buttermilk pie looked so good == I know I'd love it!

Your pizzas also look delicious, Kris! I could eat a whole one of those myself..yum!

I am so jealous that uou can pick as many avocados as you want. What a wonderful place to live!

Katie said...

That all looks so delicious! What I would do to have all of those avocados in my backyard!
What fun for Hannah, Claire, & Noah!

Kerri said...

How do your girls stay so skinny with you as their mom making all those yummy things?!

I am amazed that you can just go pick fruit in your backyard...I can't even imagine! I pay $1.00 for one orange and $1.00 for one avacado at the grocery!

Jill said...

Food looks delicious!! What a blessing to have all that fruit in your yard! I'd love to have more property to do this. :-) Have a wonderful day!

Blessings,
Jill

NanaNor's said...

As always, I love visiting you Kris. Your cooking always inspires me and also makes me hungry. Loved seeing the grands with the fruit and in the tree-but what do you do with all the avocados? The lemons/oranges will last but I'm not sure about the avocados. Going to visit your friend right now. Have a great evening.
Noreen

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh my lands girl, I am a droolin right now! Pie is one of my favorite desserts. I too visit her blog, but must have missed this post. I have GOT to try it. I love custard and anything caramely. My mom use to make a Soda Cracker Pie that was so yummy! The kids are all little dolls. Love all of the fun pics. Oh to be able to walk out and pick avacados. I wouldn't know how to act. They are another thing I love. Heck, what don't I love? No wonder I can't loose weight. lol! Your pizza looks so darn good too. I'm not even hungry right now but still wishin I had a piece.
Hugs,
Jann

Unknown said...

OMGosh, that pizza is to die for....I can smell it...where do you get the dough...I have got to do this! I use to make my own but it's just too much trouble for one.
What wonderful memories you are making with those grandkids!

Libby said...

What a delicious day at your house. You can't go wrong with homemade pizza - rustic or not - and buttermilk pie has been on my 'need to try' list for some time. You have pushed me over the edge *s*

Katherines Corner said...

What a wonderful post, filled with fun, food and family. Perfect!Things blog hop linky party. Sending Happy Weekend Wishes! xo

podso said...

The pie looks like one I'd like to try. And the pizza ... I make it the same. Currently I'm finding whole wheat frozen pizza dough at Trader J's and keep them in the freezer. I never thought of salad on top of my pizza but it sure looks delicious!

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

I am glad I found your site, it looks yummy. I will be making for pie for hubby and will use your pie crust recipe. I am still learning how to bake a pizza, so far not so good. Maybe I should toss out the pizza stone and use a pan like you did. IT looks yummy. I see now my oven was too hot too I need to go to 450 and not 500.

Thank you for your recipes.