Let’s Talk Pie!

Hi friends…and welcome to Friday with Friends!  Today is all about pie.  I mentioned my question on Wednesday and several (um, many) responded with their type of pie in Wednesday’s comments.  Which is fantastic!  Why limit good conversation just to Fridays:)  That post (on Wednesday) was actually a Hodge Podge post and, in it, I shared just a bit of my thoughts/opinions about patriotism and/or love for one’s country.  Specifically, my feelings for my country.  I have to say many of the responses and comments shared gave me pause to consider.  To especially consider my attitude.  In many ways, my disppointment and frustrations have left me sour, jaded and even cynical.  Things in our country may or may not ever improve, but my reponse and my attitude certainly needs to be correct.  Needs to be respectful.  Needs to be grace-filled.  And one that is quicker to pray than to criticize.   I could go on but I just want to thank those who shared their thoughts with me on Wednesday.

Enough of that for now.  Let’s move on to pies.  Which is your favorite – savory or sweet?  Savory would probably win for me.  I’m not completely against a yummy sweet pie (definitely not!) but, given the choice, I would choose a savory, main dish type of pie over the dessert.   Now, if I were picking a dessert pie, chocolate would win out over a fruit one, for sure.  My mom made a simple chocolate pie (with pudding mix in a store-bought graham cracker crust) often for our dinners that included dessert, which was usually once a week.  It was easy and inexpensive but still one of the tastiest pies, in my opinion.  Someone on Wednesday mentioned a Toll House chocolate chip pie.  I have not had one of those in years but it sounds wonderful!!

One fruit pie that I really enjoy (but have not made in quite awhile) is Upside Down Apple Pie.  I found this recipe years ago on YouTube.  We made it one Christmas as a family.  Not only did we have a lot of fun, it actually came out better than we expected (we are not bakers over here) and was delicious.  Actually, I am thinking of taking that for the Prayer, Praise and Pie service that I mentioned in my earlier post.  However, I do wonder if it will transport well??  You can find the directions on the original video here.  The picture here is of our pie.  I was pretty pleased with it:)

One other option of honorable mention is blueberry pie bars.  No exactly pie…but so yummy.  So worth mentioning.

Of course, I could always bring a savory pie.  I have mentioned it many times before but my husband’s favorite dish (of all times) is Shepherd’s Pie.  He could eat it once a week.  If I made it that often.  But I don’t think I would take that for our fellowship.  I have seen several of these meaty dishes in years past and you only need so many shepherd’s pies at one church dinner.  There are lots of pot pie recipes out there but I have never had huge success making these savory pies.

I think my favorite main dish pie type dish is Crustless Quiche.  I have been making this dish for years and it never fails to be delicious.  Let me share it here because you need to try this one.

Mix together 4 eggs, 8 oz sour cream, 8 oz small curd cottage cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup flour, and 1 tsp onion salt.  Whip well.  

Add 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 – 3/4 cup meat (shrimp, ham, spinach, bacon, sausage…whatever you prefer).  Stir well.

Pour into buttered quiche dish (um, deep dish pie pan) and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

And, since we are just chatting among friends…can I ask if anyone has ever tried any of the “impossible” pies?  They are made with Bisquick and, apparently they create their own crust while baking.  A friend shared several with me a few years ago but I have yet to try any of them.  Basically all the ingredients are mixed together in one bowl, poured into a buttered pie plate and baked.  And, voila, you have pie!  They can be savory (cheeseburger or turkey, for instance) or sweet (coconut or pumpkin).  These are the four variations she shared with me.  I was considering the Impossible Cheeseburger Pie for church fellowship…but will it actually work??  If you are curious to experiment yourself, here is the recipe:

Brown 1 pound ground beef with 1/2 chopped onion in skillet.  Drain and then add salt and pepper.  Spread in greased pie plate.

Beat 1 1/2 cups milk, 3 eggs and 3/4 cup Bisquick until smooth.  Pour over meat in pie plate.

Bake at 400 for 25 minutes.  Top with 2 sliced tomatoes.  Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded yellow cheese.  Bake 5-8 minutes longer.

Is done when knife inserted in center comes out clean.  Let cool 5 minutes before cutting.

Well, friends, I think that is enough chit chat on my part today.  I would love your suggestions.  Which pie should I take?  Do you have a recipe to share?  A tried and true favorite?  I hope you will join the discussion in the comments.  I so appreciate everyone stopping by the blog today.  Here’s to a tasty weekend ahead!  I’m hungry after looking through my recipes!!