Sunday, September 12, 2010

No Folks... This Ain't Kristabel's Kitchen!

Kristabel's kitchen pumps out stuff that mine never will. Her cooking makes my mouth water, and my stomach growl just reading about it. She tells how to make Marshmallows, limoncello, nectarine tarts, and other treats that few can even ponder. ( Link to Kristabell )

Nectarine Tart and photo by Kristabel

Her posts are neat and organized. She has enough of a sense of humor, she can include a photo of her pie crust all over the floor, where she spilled it. I’ve also spilled pie crust on the floor. I cover my clumsiness by pretending that I was feeding the dog. I hate when that happens, the dog doesn’t meet my standards for cleanliness, I have to stop everything clean up what the dog leaves, wash and dry my hands, and start over. The last time that I did that I forgot to put the salt in my pie, and I ended up with a flat pie. (humor, get it? Flat pie?)

Anyway, I made some pies last night and I thought, “hey I should do a picture post, like Kristabel”! Rather than use a good camera like her, I just use my cell phone. I soon found out, that slows things up considerably. Each time you take a photo, you have to stop and wash and dry your hands. I imagine that a camera would soon be ruined with flour and other food orts if you didn’t. (now, the next time you do a crossword puzzle and they give you a clue for three letter word for “Food Scrap”. The answer is “ort”, and now you have actually seen it used in a sentence.

I just included the photos below. Anybody that is going to make the pie will know what order that they belong in, so figure it out yourself. Included in the photos is a clue for one of the commenters here. See if anybody can figure out that one of the pies is a “pay-up” for some work done on the Laytonville history. And who it might be.

This is a pie made from the recipe in a previous post. I should tell you that the pie is made EXACTLY like the recipe said. So don’t come whining to me if your pie doesn't turn out. The only thing that might confuse you is the amount of apples. Store bought apples are larger than the average local tree apple, so cut down to FIVE store apples. I used I/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of ginger. I cooked the pie at 350 for 55 minutes. The pie should be bubbly, and have a nicely browned crust. Some like their pies well done, if you are one of those, reduce the temperature down to 300 until the pie is done to your satisfaction. Don’t over-cook, or let the crust burn.

The other thing that I should tell you is, you can use a food processor if you like. I do everything by hand, it reminds me of the old folks that came before us. Their pies were remarkably tasty achievements. My 3G grandmother was famous for her pies, and her legend lives yet today. My recipes include things like acorn muffins. I cook mostly as a remembrance of the Old-timers.



34 comments:

Anonymous said...

I made a pie today too. But there is no way I'm going to show my kitchen during the creation.

Both you and Kristabel make my mouth water. Tell OMR he's lucky!

Robin Shelley said...

I must say, the last picture made me laugh out loud!

olmanriver said...

Lucky? Gettin' yer name on a pie is not the same as eating a slice.
Honored greatly tho.
What weight nails did you use to peck out those initials?

I hope you give out the acorn muffin recipe too Ernie.

Kristabel... whew... the exquisite delicacy of the petaled flesh of your nectarine art...it...it... sure it pretty. Maybe a little tantric even.

olmanriver said...

er, wait, maybe that pie is for me...duh... wow, honored and salivating, sorry for not getting it...wow...when...where...?!

Kristabel said...

Ernie....you ole' flatterer, you....and your pie looks absolutely delectable. Are those chunks of real butter in the crust?

olmanriver....geez, you made me blush a little at that description.

Bloggers Pie Party?

Ernie Branscomb said...

Kristabel
The lighter spots are from starting with cold butter chunks. The spots aren't pure butter, but more buttery pieces of crust. It makes the crust flakey.

OMR I emailed you. I said that I would meet you with the pie, otherwise I'll take it to work in the morning, if it's still there at noon, I eat it!

Ernie Branscomb said...

Both my wife and my mother said the pie that I made for us is "good". They said that without being prompted. I take that as a real compliment, because either one of them would say that the pie is crap if they didn't like it.

olmanriver said...

I emailed the rendezvous details, talking here would only draw a crowd to Ernie's loading dock early tomorrow morning.
Pie for breakfast is a hallowed midwest tradition.
You are too good to me, considering what I get away with here.

Kristabel said...

Thanks, Ernie. I was just crossing my fingers that you were using butter. Some people I know only use shortening. I just don't think it tastes the same. But here's my big question to you: Do you like a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on top of your apple pie?

Ernie Branscomb said...

"Do you like a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on top of your apple pie?"

No, I like it shreaded and melted on.

I like taste twists, when I worked as a choker setter, I would eat a ton of food a day. One of my favorite sandwiches was peanut butter and jelly with bacon or smoked ham in it, on cinnamon raisin bread. And, a scrambled egg and mayonaise sandwich on whole wheat. And a bag full of garlic flavored breaded and fried deer meat. Crispy fried chicken. Bean and mild onion sandwich. STOP... I'm getting hungry!

Robin Shelley said...

OMaR, have you seen my new nephew yet?

olmanriver said...

No Robin, but thanks for the birth announcement...I was waiting to hear...so thanks and congrats Auntie Robin!
Can't talk much, gotta conserve energy and fast til 10 oclock...
Ernie that "taste-twist" comment gives me pause.

olmanriver said...

Folks, Ernie is a master pie chef... while the endorphins are still fresh from the first slice, I must pay homage and adage, Ernie's apple pie was better than my mom's. Wow. Invite this man to your potlucks!
Magnanimous as I is, a number of people got slivers half the size of my slice... one commenter said "No man can make pie this good" so I sent her the link.
Thanks so much Ernie!
I am lucky!

Adageo said...

"As American as Ernie's apple pie"

"A slice of apple pie keeps the doctor away"
olmanriver

“If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.”
Dr. Carl Sagan

Bunny said...

I was one of the lucky sliver tasters and YES it was really specially good. Thanks OMR.

Anonymous said...

Ernie, I was talking to John Whaley today,His Uncle was Bill Bailey Of "Baileys" in Laytonville.
Any Comment on this???

Ernie Branscomb said...

I don't know much about Baily, other than he was a home-town boy made good, and he was world suplier of logging and climbing equipment.

He died of a MRSA infection of the lungs.


e

Anonymous said...

Thanks!!! I was Trying to pull Robins chain here a liitle bit.
She knows quite a bit about the "later" years in Laytonville!!!

Anonymous said...

Yank Robins Chain,like yank on a choker.

Anonymous said...

Seldom do people marry someone whose name rhymes with theirs; Bailey - Whaley. Always liked that.

BTW Ern. My cholesterol was lower before you started talking pie crust, which is my favorite part. Yum, yum.

Cousin

Robin Shelley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Robin Shelley said...

Okay, 7:41. You caused some alarm around here this evening. Ernie thought you were taunting me & I thought you were threatening to kill me... or something like that. I see now that you were trying to change your earlier post from "pulling" to "yanking" my chain. If you read it again you might see how we were a little, ah, confused, shall we say.
You've identified yourself to me & I appreciate knowing I have nothing to fear. Thank you.

Ernie Branscomb said...

Actually folks, if you got a little upset and worried about the recent posts, don’t be. I know the background story. When I get through laughing I might tell you some of it… with a few permissions. I thought that I was the only one that ever woke up with my foot in my mouth!

Ernie Branscomb said...

"All is well that ends well"

It's hard to believe that this post started out to be about apple pie isn't it?

Now that I'm no longer worried... Good night.

Robin Shelley said...

Guess we should talk about Garberville & Laytonville stuff, Ernie. LOL!

Anonymous said...

I found it Robin.
Now back to Garberville stuff as requested. My Grandma Ruby canned for me a 100 pints of albacore every year and after I quit the woods and worked in a sawmill I still ate 7 tuna sandwiches a day. I still like peanut butter and onion sandwiches too.

Oregon

Ross Sherburn said...

Seven Tuna Sandwiches??? You musta been pullin "Green Chain"

Robin Shelley said...

This has nothing to do with pies or Garberville or tuna sandwiches or even threats to my life, but has anybody here ever had a bathtub reglazed? If so, what can you tell me about it & would you recommend it? Thanks in advance!

Ross Sherburn said...

I've heard of it being done. There are some guys in Chico who do this work. I would assume someone in Eureka or Grants Pass does it???
Wasn't much help,was I ??

Anonymous said...

Yeah Robin, put glue all over it and then put those little tiles on there.
It looks good, easy to do and the tiles come in at least two different colors.

Oregon

Robin Shelley said...

Thanks, Ross, but I'm seeking the opinion of someone who has actually had it done.
And, Oregon... that's not a bad idea but the little tiles only come in black or red - you nut!

Anonymous said...

Actually Robin those tiles come in more than black and red, which is not bad colors for a bathtub.
Ernie is the Garu with these type situations and surprised he hasn't responded.
By the way, you can't be wanting to re-due one of the tubs in you shack are you?

Oregon

Anonymous said...

Robin, you can contact Mike & Rosie. I believe they had a claw foot tub reglazed when they built their new house. If Mike won't attempt to do it.....probably not a good idea. I think he had his done in Santa Rosa; not sure.

Cousin

Robin Shelley said...

The tub in the upstairs bathroom is pretty grungy, Oregon. Has been since we bought the place.
I don't want to attempt reglazing it myself. Will hire it done if I can find anyone who's had it done & is happy with the job. I want someone to come to the house & do it. If I had to take the tub to them, I may as well buy a new tub.
Thanks, Cousin.