September 1, 2011

Pie Dough and Opera?

Hello Friends~ ~ ~I think the two go perfectly together. I love making pie dough, how about you? I put on some opera music and get out my canister of flour. It's therapeutic for me rubbing all that butter into a humble bowl of flour and ending up with light, flaky pie dough.

If you haven't used Pandora you may want to check it out. All the music you like, that's it, period! I love them. I searched for opera and was given a few choices. I chose romantic opera and boom they play one after the other. Try it you'll love it!

Ok, so you are set with your flour and your music. I use Martha's recipe for Pate Brisee for my pies and I think it's the best. The shortening makes the crust flaky and the butter gives it flavor.

~ ~Pate Brisee~ ~


5 cups flour

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. sugar

1 cup crisco shortening

2 sticks butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

3/4-1 cup ice water
Put dry ingredients in a big bowl and stir to blend. Add the shortening and pieces of butter and rub the shortening and butter into the flour with your finger tips till it looks like the picture below. . .but Don't stop here. . .


Keep rubbing till it looks like the next picture. Smaller, finer pieces. Imagine the music playing and the feel of the butter between your fingers. Don't you feel the stress leaving your body already?


Now add the ice water maybe half of it and continue rubbing and mixing. Add more water as needed. Yesterday I used the whole 1 cup of water but that depends on the flour and the weather. Be sure to get all the dry flour from the bottom of the bowl mixed in. Dump the mix onto your counter and form it into a rough ball, then a big log like this.



Don't get all nuts about mixing it together perfectly. A little ragged is OK. See? This recipe makes 2 double crust pies. Cut your log into 4 equal pieces and flatted them into a big disk. The bigger the easier it is to roll the dough. Wrap each piece into it's own piece of plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.




Sorry but no pictures of the rolling procedure. it's difficult to take pictures when your hands are so messy.




Here is my finished pie. It's a Pennsylvania Dutch Corn Pie for last nights main course and it was delish. I made 2 of them. My pies always look so homemade because I'm not to good at making a pretty edge and for this that's OK. Sometimes I cut out little leaves of dough for the edge to make it look nice.



Look at that flaky crust. You can do it too.




We serve our Corn Pie with a thick white sauce over it. My Mom always just heated milk with butter for her sauce.




My corn pie recipe was posted some time ago and the link for it is here if you want to try it.


Be sure to check out my current GIVEAWAY. I think you will like it.


I just had to show you the two newest members of the family. Looks like Ying and Yang doesn't it? The orange one is female and the dark one is male. No names yet, any ideas?



Their Momma showed up here a few months ago with her brother. I guess someone dropped them off. Turns out she was pregnant and these two little ones are the result. We are thrilled and will be keeping all 4. How can you not love these bundles of fluff?

I am linking to these wonderful gals this week:






Make It A Wonderful Day

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

14 comments:

Barbara F. said...

Hi Ahrisha, I am always happy to see a new post from you, that corn pie looks really delicious, but I personally have to be in a thinner place for me to make it....lol....the kittens are so cute! I think Autumn or Pumpkin for the orange little girl and perhaps Magic or Shadow for the little boy. Give my love to your Mom. We'll talk soon. xo,

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

I have two baking modes - loud classical/opera or loud rock-n-roll. It kind of depends on the time of day or mood I'm in. Either way, music is a must!

:)
ButterYum

Deb said...

Now aren't they just 4 of the luckiest cats alive. How nice that you are keeping them all. They must be quite the little family. Pie looks yummy. Have a great weekend. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4

Jenni Swenson said...

thank you so much for your nice comment on my blog... I am soooo hungry after reading yours! Lovely! xoxo Jenni

Amy said...

Your pie looks perfect and delicious. I'm not really a pie person but you make this sound so wonderful I guess I'm converted. With Opera? Count me in. That sounds totally fun. What a party in the kitchen! :)

"Create Beauty" said...

Ooooooh, that looks yummy!
Maybe I'd be a better cook if I chose the right music : )

Darling kitties.

~ Violet

Quay Po Cooks said...

You do know how to enjoy your baking! Turn on the music hehe, how about country western? The pie looks great.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ahrisha! You make the pie dough making look easy! You know I've tried and tried and mine never turns out right so I just buy one! :)
The corn pie sounds so delicious too!
What precious little kitties! They are so sweet and you're so sweet to keep them both.
Thanks so much for popping in to see me and you are a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

very merry vintage style said...

It looks very yummy--beautiful crust! Those kitties are so sweet. thanks for linking up to Share the Love Wednesday--hope you'll be back this week!
Mary

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Oh my this looks soooo good! And I've certainly had pie on the brain this week. That crust looks heavenly!

Faded Plains said...

Your pie looks so good...yum. As for the kittens names...sounds like you already named them....Ying and Yang.

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi Ahrisha thank you for visiting my site leaving a message to treasure!
I always love getting to know new sites and you will be one of them :)

The baby kittens are so cute makes me want to cuddle right along with them :))

Thank you again for your beautiful visit.
xx
Dore

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

This looks so yummy! I'm not much of a baker these days, but this is really making me hungry.
The little kitties are adorable. They are all so lucky that you've welcomed them into your home.

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

Your pies look DELISH! Thank you so much for your sweet comment. :) I'm so glad I stopped by your lovely page. Take care and have a wonderful new week!

Hugs,
Jessie