good ol' apple pie

I used to hate pie. I thought it was gross and disgusting. But one of my friends last year wanted me to make cherry pie so I did and I fell in love. What was I thinking all these years?? It's delicious! So after a few cherry pies, my awesome roommate Kristin wanted an apple pie, so I caved and made one. Let me say, I found my new favorite dessert. Apple pie is the perfect dessert because it's sweet and savory all in one. When the crust has a little bite to it and then the apples are just melt in your mouth amazing, how can you go wrong? I have made apple pie so much, I can make it from scratch without the recipe. I'm not sure if that's a good thing because I could eat a whole pie in about two days. Not healthy.

Although the prep for this pie is just as long as the cook time, it's simple and so worth it. I always make the dough first so it has time to sit and not be overworked to where it becomes tough. The dough it 2 1/4 cups flour, a little salt (about a teaspoon), 2/3 cup shortening cut into the four mixture using a pastry blender, and then you add water a tablespoon at a time and mix it with a fork. Simple. Then you get about 5-6 apples or however many you want, I say the more the better. You can use any type of apple, but I use Golden Delicious; I think it adds a little bit of a kick to the taste. Peel and core the apples then cut into slices about 1/2 inch thick to make sure they cook all the way through. Mix the apples with about 2 tablespoons flour, 3/4 cup sugar (also great with Splenda), and as much nutmeg and cinnamon as you want. Most recipes call for about a teaspoon or so of each, but I feel it needs more, so add until the apples are evenly coated in spices but not to where you can't see the color of the apples. Divide your dough in half and roll out each half to about a 12 inch circle so it fits in the pie pan. Put in one crust, then I sprinkle the bottom with cinnamon and nutmeg, add the apple mixture, lay other crust on top, sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg again, cut slits on the side and a hole in the middle, then cover the edges with foil leaving a hole in the middle. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes, remove foil, bake for 15-20 more minutes depending on crust doneness. Enjoy!

sugar overload

So I haven't had the time to make the crepes yet but they will be here this week, I promise! But I have made other delicious things instead...

This past weekend, Kendra and Tommy got married! Kendra is my boyfriend's sister for those who don't know. It was a beautiful wedding and was a lot of fun. So for the reception, they decided to have people make a bunch of desserts. I made Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing and sprinkles! They were yummy! I was hesitant to try the cream cheese icing but it really didn't taste that much different than regular vanilla icing, but maybe it's just me. They turned out super good though and I got lots of compliments on them.

On a not so cooking note but kinda sorta, I went to Ikea today with Eric, Kendra, Tommy, and their aunt and uncle and their kids and I was in shock and awe. Ikea is probably my new favorite place. If you've ever been there you understand, and if you haven't been, go now. I found my dream kitchen with everything thing I've ever wanted. It had a gas stove with 6 burners. A sink in the huge island that had a breakfast bar. A double door fridge. Lots of counter space. A walk is pantry bigger than my closet. The cabinets and the countertops were made of beautiful marble. Oh I was in love. I probably won't ever be able to afford anything like that with my oh so high paying teacher salary but hey, a girl can dream.

Again, I promise crepes will be made this week. I have everything I need in the pantry to make them. Until next time..

“Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” - Julia Child

a fresh beginning

20 years. I have been on this Earth for 20 years now and I think it's time I commit to a hobby that I absolutely love. My birthday was last week and I got TONS of cooking and baking things that I can't wait to use. I received sauce pans, skillets, cookie sheets, spatulas, an apple core, cupcake pans, and so much more! But my favorite gift came to me last night on my doorstep as I arrived home. I had been expecting part two of my present from by brother and sister-in-law but I had no idea as to what it could be. The first part was the movie Julie and Julia. He said it went along with that but I never expected this. Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Juila Child. It was so much better than I had ever imagined. I felt as if I was holding a piece of history right in my very hands. I started reading immediately and didn't put it down for an hour. It's not just any old cookbook with a list of ingredients and instructions. You can tell that there was so much thought and heart poured into the creation of this cookbook. Obviously I have been interested in cooking for awhile, but after looking through this book, I have decided to really devote myself to cooking and really learning how to cook while adding my own personal style. I had started another blog as a New Years resolution, but I never committed to it. I am now making a conscious effort and I hope that the few people who may read this will hold me accountable.

My first recipe that I have chosen to undertake in Mastering the Art of French Cooking is Gateau de crepes a la Normande aka flaming mound of crepes with apples. I cannot wait! As always, keep reading.