Tamale Intermission: Pie Making

I felt sorry for these apples on the reduced for quick sale rack. They were only slightly bruised and yet big and red and shiny. For $1 I thought, applesauce or pie? Pie won out.

While the pork roast and peppers were cooking on the stove, we peeled and chopped the apples, removing any brown spots of course. Then I microwave plumped the raisins, adding lemon juice, cinnamon and fake sugar to the huge pile of apple chunks.

I made pie crust in the Cuisinart (ala Diane's method) and wrapped the dough in clingwrap and put it in the refrigerator as Martha directs. We love us some Martha methods.

Meanwhile I had Dave fetch the rolling pin downstairs and I cleared off a rolling spot on the messy counter top.

Minutes later, still no rolling pin. Dave cannot find it. This is not unusual, as most men cannot find their way round a kitchen cabinet, even when the item is in plain view. I went down to locate the pin. I went directly to the baking drawer, and um, it wasn't there. So I searched other drawers, cabinets, shelves, upstairs likewise, even the garage. Nada a rolling pin in sight. Hmm.

OK I recall to giving it to my brother with all the other baking stuff, since being a Holy-Never-Again-Batman-Dieter, I resolved that baked goods would nay cross my lips, thus negating any need for these utensils. Hmm. Now what will I do?

WE must improvise something to replace the rolling pin, since neither one of us fancies going out to the store at this late date, three or four beers having been imbibed...

How about this? It is chrome and is a 'breaker bar' whatever that means.

Brilliant!

We washed off the grease and cobwebs from the garage and proceeded to give it a try.

It WORKED!

COLD METAL PIE PIPE. Who knew?

Dump in those babies and let's make two while we're at it.

I like a crumb crust. This is made from oatmeal, flour, cold butter, cinnamon and sugar, and sometime ground walnuts if I have them. It makes a sweet topping and absorbs some of the juice of the apples, which comes in handy. I didn't have a clue what kind of apples I was using and whether or not they would be too wet. Last year we used some apples that were very wet and it was not a good thing. Really.

Perfectly done. And very yummy.

Later that day (this was yesterday remember) I got a call from Laura and we are invited to her house for dinner tomorrow. It is a last minute fill-in thing since her sister in law and her kids are sick. I don't mind a bit. I know we will all have a wonderful time together, just like family.

My brother is sick too, and called us, and agreed that yes, he does have the stinkin' rolling pin. My sister is in Singapore, so I hope she blogs her celebration today too. It's a very close knit family I have.

Happy Thanksgiving, and stay tuned for the rest of the tamale making pictures.