The Pie Challenge

Every year, my work does a big turkey lunch in November. The company supplies the turkey, ham, rolls, stuffing and dessert. Then every one is asked to bring a pot luck item or pay money to go towards the other supplies. In the years past, they have always gotten the pies from a local restaurant that has gone steadily (and rapidly) down hill. I decided I didn't want to eat their pies, but I wanted pie. So the solution was to make my own. I knew I couldn't make enough for everyone, but I decided to use all of my pie plates. So I made 3 pies.

 

Then I couldn't decide which ones I wanted to make. Then I told Josh I would make him pie for Thanksgiving and he promptly requested 4 different kinds. We are doing Thanksgiving at home, just the 2 of us, so we don't need 4 pies that day. So, I decided to try and make a pie a week in hopes of becoming a better pie maker.

 

I did cheat for the work luncheon; I used store bought crust. I didn't want to stress over it and that has always been the hardest part in the past. I decided to perfect the filling, then work on the pasty.

 

For the luncheon, I made:

 

Cranberry Cherry Nut Pie (my favorite)

Apple Pie (my new 2nd favorite)

Chocolate Cream Pie

I covered the 1st lunch break so the others could go to lunch first. When I went back 40 minutes later, the entire Cranberry Cherry Nut Pie was gone! The plate was pretty much licked clean. The Apple Pie still had some left, so I had it. It was out of this world delish. I don't mean to brag, but its the best apple pie I have ever eaten. I managed to save a piece for Josh and he agrees.  The Chocolate Cream Pie had been left in the fridge. I cut out a small piece for me, but by the time I noticed, everyone else was done eating. So we saved it for the left over lunch feast for the next day. Again, I covered first lunch and when I went back to eat, the pie plate was already washed and dried.

 

I should note, the company ended up buying premade pies from the grocery store bakery. They were small and they didn't go near as fast. I'm glad I decided to make home made pies.

 

Last weekend, I let Josh pick his first pie. He choose Lemon Meringue Pie. I made one a few years ago, but I couldn't remember what recipe I used. I found a great recipe on Taste of Home. And this time, we remembered to put it away so Gabby couldn't lick all the meringue off of it.

This weekend, I'm going to make the Chocolate Cream Pie since Josh didn't get to try it. I'm also thinking about doing a Cherry Pie. And I think I'm ready to try making the crust from scratch.