Pies of the Unexpected: Green Chili Chocolate Pie and Junipear Pie

One aspect of the Four and Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book that I appreciate is the Elsen sisters' knack for creating pies of unusual ingredient combinations. When you flip through their unique cookbook, you will find such recipes as lavender blueberry pie, or cranberry sage, and perhaps my favorite sounding, which I have not yet tried: salt pork apple pie! This one will definitely be a future endeavor but in the meantime, I decided to try a few others with items that one wouldn't necessarily think of putting together in a pie.

The "Green Chili Chocolate Pie" is one that I had previously made, minus the green chili! The recipe actually calls for a jalapeno pepper. This bittersweet chocolate pie sounded so good that I just didn't have the nerve to add a hot pepper! Plus putting a hot pepper and chocolate together sounded a little scary to me. This time, however, I had a cayenne pepper from the garden, so decided that I would substitute that for the jalapeno. I did a little research that indicated that cayenne is quite a bit stronger on the hot scale than jalapeno. So I used about 2 teaspoons of the fresh cayenne instead of the whole pepper, along with bittersweet chocolate, cream, milk, eggs, fresh ginger, lime juice and cardamom. I also added a pinch of cinnamon, which is not in the recipe but struck me as a something that always goes well with chocolate. The crust of this pie is a chocolate butter crust, and is made in a springform pan. The result was a very dark chocolate pie that had just a hint of the warm flavor of the cayenne. The silky texture is very satisfying and equally yummy served either room temperature or refrigerated. Although I initially put a dollop of whipped cream on a slice of this pie, I actually like it better cream free. I love to eat this pie with my coffee in the morning, although eating a slice with my afternoon tea, as I am doing now, is not bad either!

Another pie that sounded curious to me was the "Junipear Pie'. This pie has the standard butter crust, fresh pears, lemon, orange, cinnamon, honey, and juniper berries! I had never considered using juniper berries in a dessert recipe. The sisters claimed that the juniper berries and honey gave the pie a "gin"inspired flavor. This pie is relatively easy to assemble, compared to other fresh fruit pies. This pie does have a nice honey pear flavor, with the juniper berries adding just a slight peppery flavor. I think it is more of a comfort pie, like a fresh apple or peach pie, than an unusual pie. But I liked it just the same, and it was eaten quickly in our household. It is the kind of pie that would be perfect on a crisp fall day. and I believe that a scoop of ice cream would add to the flavor.

So these two pies were successful in my search for pies that are just a tad different. Sometimes it seems risky to use ingredients that you think might not go well together, but I would encourage you to go ahead and give it a shot. It makes desserts just a little more memorable and definitely one of a kind!

"Wild" in Asheville

Last year I was inspired after reading the book Wild, by Cheryl Strayed. If you have not read this true story about a woman's lonely hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, you may have seen the movie. Cheryl endured thirst, freezing weather, wild animals, battered feet, and a "monster" backpack, among other things, on her three month journey from Oregon to Washington. I admired her tenacity and thought that this type of adventure may have appealed to me in my much younger days. (minus the thirst, freezing weather, wild animals, battered feet, and monster backpack). But the walking part sounded really fun to me. Due to my advanced age, I decided to rule out doing the Pacific Crest or Appalachian Trail, and thought that a fun alternative would be to stay right here in Asheville. What if I just started out from my house and walked all day in Asheville? I could walk as far as I could, going to downtown and taking in all of the sights. I had been thinking about this for several months, and finally set out for my trek last Friday.

My starting point was my house. I wore my walking shorts, New Balance walking shoes, and my Rolling Stones tour tee shirt.I carried the gigantic tote bag, bought in China from our trip earlier this year. Unlike Cheryl, I did not load it down with supplies. I carried 2 extra tee shirts, money, cell phone, band aids in the event of feet problems, a bottle of water, and paper and writing pens. It is a good idea, in my opinion, to have writing supplies available when you are dining alone. That way, it appears tha you are actually doing something important and not just looking like a loser playing with your cell phone. My plan was to start out with a light pack and actually add to it as I went along!

I started out at 9:00 in the morning, and walked the first mile and a half with Rich. We walked from our house, around the our neighborhood in the Grove Park, and back to the house. I know this sounds strange, but I realized that I had forgotten to put on sunscreen, plus by that time, I needed a bathroom. From there, I walked to the Grove Park Inn. Even after all of these years of seeing it, I still find it impressive, with the beautiful stone work and magnificent setting. I made my way to Charlotte Street and directly to my first planned stop - City Bakery. As some of my friends know, I love this place. It is not necessarily the food or coffee that draws me to this cafe. It is the atmosphere, and the fact that it is really my neighborhood hangout. It is a place that draws locals, who come here before work for coffee and breakfast, or later for lunch. I was sitting down, just starting to take a bite of my egg and cheese croissant, when an aging hippie with a pony tail and missing teeth approached me. As he greeted me, I panicked that he was going to ask to sit down with me. To my surprise, he pointed at my tee shirt and said "that was a great tour this summer, wasn't it?' Of course, he was referring to the Stones tour. He had seen them in Dallas, me in Raleigh. We chatted about Mick's ageless stage moves. After coffee and croissant, I knew it was time to get moving again.

I headed toward downtown, with a little over 3 miles on my Fitbit,, and passed the YMCA,  my gym. For a brief moment, I considered stopping in for my Friday zumba class, but figured that I would get enough exercise with my walk. It was a straight shot to Broadway, where one of my favorite shops exists, The Loft. I think I could probably spend a whole day in this shop full of signs, coffee mugs, books, refrigerator magnets, and any knick knack that one might imagine. I love this kind of place. The fridge magnets are always comical, with sentiments like "I still miss my Ex, but my aim is getting better" , which sounds like the words to a country song. But Loft also has glassware, linens and even decorative pillows for those who are doing more serious shopping. I had spent about half an hour there, bought a few little things for my nieces and realized that I should probably be moving along.

Just down from The Loft is Va Va Vooom, a lingerie shop that I have always been curious about but have not had the nerve to actually visit. Why, I don't know;  at 63, I am certainly old enough but I guess that southern belle upbringing kept me from it. The store has a vast array of lingerie, clothing, and toys. While I was browsing, a couple came in saying that they were getting married later that day, and the perspective bride wanted to try on lingerie! So it hit me that this shop really serves a useful purpose. I thought about buying a present for Rich, but left, worrying that someone I know might see me. Across the street from Vooom is a cute looking little antique shop that I had always been interested in seeing. I was fascinated by the back corner of the store, that featured vintage clothing. Looking around, I saw several items that  might be possibilities for Halloween costumes, but thought it best to come back another day to try on things.

At this point, I was getting hungry and headed toward my favorite area of town: Lexington Avenue. I was a fan of Lexington Ave. even when it wasn't cool to be over 20 and love  Lexington Ave. When we first moved to Asheville, this area was filled mainly with tattoo parlors and piercing establishments. There is certainly nothing wrong with either of these, but it did not have the variety of bars, cafes, and clothing shops that exist there now, which meant that it was mainly a place for the young college students who were trying to do things to shock their parents. I thought about having a tea and light lunch a Dobra Tea, a cozy little tea shop where one could easily dine alone and be unnoticed. But then I passed by Bouchon Creperie, and knew this was where I was going to have lunch. The restaurant Bouchon has tasty food, but since it doesn't accept reservations, I haven't managed to eat there in several years. But the Creperie next door has most of the same menu, and also crepes. It has a wonderful outdoor courtyard space which makes it even more fun. I had one of the tables under a tree, and with the blue skies and pleasant temps, it was absolutely perfect. Of course, the French fries (best in town, in my opinion), and the Cassis mimosa didn't hurt either. I encountered a little wildlife of my own when a pesky yellow jacket kept going after my drink! After lunch was the perfect time to wander around and try on clothing at stores on Lexington Ave., such as Cosmic Vision, Honey Pot, Virtue, and my top shop, Hip Replacements. This little clothing shop has vintage and modern clothes that are very different from things you see at your typical mall. Several years ago, I bought a skull head dress that I still wear occasionally. So, of course I bought another dress, and several other items at various places. My tote bag was beginning to get a tad full, so I reluctantly said good bye to Lexington, dreaming of shopping there another day.

I started walking briskly, as I was in need of a bathroom after that mimosa. An interesting and important fact is that there is a public restroom in the police station building on Haywood St. This is good to know. From here, I walked directly to Kim's Wig Shop, which sits on the corner of Haywood and Wall Street.  Kim's is my go-to place for Halloween costume wigs, although the quality wigs there could be worn anytime. Several years ago, I found a great MJ wig for my "Bad" costume, and last year proudly wore one of her hot pink wigs. Actually, the owner is extremely helpful and takes her time to find exactly what you are looking for. She tells me that she has been there for 25 years - a true Asheville institution! And I think I did find the wig I want for my Halloween costume, although since it wouldn't fit into my tote bag, I will need to return another day!

My most important task for my all day walk was a mid-day dessert at Mayfel's, across from Pritchard Park. This restaurant has good New Orleans style dishes, and I enjoy it. But the dessert selection there is truly incredible, having a daily selection of 7-8 desserts. Unfortunately, I am usually too full to eat one, so I was determined that this would be my day to enjoy one of their southern treats. When I walked up, a "closed" sign was displayed on the front door! I walked up anyway, to try and figure out a way to have someone sneak a dessert to me. A server then told me that due to a computer glitch, they had to close until dinner! I was beyond disappointed, and considered begging, but recalled a good dessert experience at nearby Donatelli's on Haywood St. This is a lovely bakery with beautiful cakes and pastries. I decided on a mocha chocolate ganache cake. The dessert looked perfect, and was served to me personally by the baker. It was rich, but had a nice lightness to it that made it a scrumptious treat.

My next task was to find a gift for one of my Atlanta friends, who was letting us crash at her place for the weekend. Walking along Haywood, and past Malaprop's book store (another Asheville institution), there was a young guitar playing musician. Further down on Wall St, a young girl and guy were playing fiddle and guitar, and the girl was also clogging! Music is always a part of the downtown Asheville scene, and adds to a festive attitude. I was feeling generous and gave money to all of the musicians. I noticed Woolworth Walk, which displays crafts of numerous local artisans, and bought my friend a hand painted, locally made gourd vase.

I was finally ready to head back to the house, but still needed to buy a bottle of wine for the Atlanta host. Right on Charlotte St. is Metro Wine, a nice little wine shop that has varied selections of wines. Asheville is such a beer town, that I sometimes forget about this place, but the owner was very helpful, and recommended what I hoped was a unique wine. I was lucky in that Friday is free wine tasting day at Metro. I looked at my Fitbit and at that point had walked over 8 miles! I explained to the owner what I had been doing all day, and I believe that he poured me a little extra wine. I still had two miles to go, and was able to stuff the wine into my tote. At as I approached the one mile point, I sympathized with how Cheryl must have felt as she was so close to the end of her journey - I thought I would never get there. But I did, and my total walk time was 10 1/2 miles! I reached home at 5:45.

I had a blast - this was more fun than I had imagined! With perfect weather and no injuries, I did not suffer the struggles in one day that Cheryl did in 1 hour! I was super excited about the 10 plus miles and knew that I had probably lost a pound or two. To my surprise, I actually gained a half pound! The truth is, even if you walk ten miles but spend a large part of the day eating a croissant, fries, mimosa, and dessert, you are not going to lose weight! But it was worth it- what a fantastic place Asheville is! I highly recommend spending a day walking around and exploring those places that you have always wanted to see. As for me, my next trek may be "wild in West Asheville"!

Buttered Rum Cream Pie - A Miss That's A Hit

I actually wanted to do an exercise blog this week, since I seem to be writing so much about pie lately. I have been doing my regular zumba, walking, and core classes, although I have not tried anything new lately. At my core class this week, I again ran into my older gym mate who amazes me with her energy. Chatting with her before class, I discovered that her name is Maureen. She is 80, and told me she had already done zumba before the core class. She didn't look tired or winded. I realize that I need to get to know Maureen better, and to find out her secret to fitness rock stardom. In the meantime, I decided to try a new pie instead of a new gym class. This one is the Buttered Rum Cream Pie from the Four And Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book.

I had been wanting to try this pie for quite some time. I love a hot buttered rum drink on a cold winter night after I have skied all day. So this pie sounded like it would mimic this flavor and satisfy my desire for the butter/rum combination. The recipe includes dark brown sugar, cream, whole milk, egg yolks, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla, and, of course butter and dark rum! The custard is cooked on the stove, not baked as in other custard recipes. The great part of cooking it this way is that I can sneak a taste of the rich, flavorful custard as I transfer it from the pot to the pie pan! It really is an indescribable flavor of the spices with the rum and butter, and it was difficult to resist just going ahead and eating it before chilling it in the fridge and topping with fresh whipped cream!

The custard appeared to be the appropriate texture when I put it in the fridge to set up overnight. The next morning, I excitedly took the pie out and cut myself a slice to taste. Alas-the custard was thin and runny instead of thick! I was, of course, very disappointed, but the mixture still tasted pretty good. I knew that I needed to find a way to save this long anticipated pie. I put it in the freezer, took it out after several hours and then topped with whipped cream, To my surprise, the pie took on the look and taste of a coffee flavored ice cream! It was heavenly, and my husband agreed. I even took some to my friends, after instructing them to keep it in the freezer until ready to eat. They also enjoyed it this way!

I wanted to try again, though, to enjoy this pie as it was meant to be - a rum butter custard. The next day, I put it in the fridge again, and after several hours it softened enough to be sliced as a custard pie. (a little soft, but delicious). Now it did have the taste of the butter rum drink that I remembered, and we ate the rest of the pie this way! I am determined to try this again, and have confidence that I can cook it the way it is supposed to be next time. After reading on the Internet about "custard failures", I realize that I probably undercooked it a tad. (did not let it boil quite long enough).

This pie was delectable in spite of my mistakes, so I will definitely make it again! Meanwhile, I need to get back to the gym this week, try a new class, and attempt to keep up with Maureen in zumba class. Maybe I will offer her a slice of pie in exchange for her secret to eternal fitness!

Unforgettable Desserts

As I have expressed many times in this blog, I love pie and desserts! I believe that my enormous sweets obsession came from my Mother, who both loved sweets herself, and made delicious treats. Fortunately, I have learned that one cannot live on sweets alone, and try to eat a healthy diet most of the time, as well as exercise consistently. When I do eat desserts, I look for quality so that the extra calories are truly worth it. The pies that I make from Four and Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book, by the Elsen sisters, fit that criteria. And I have experienced other fantastic desserts through the years, some of which I can still taste in my imagination! I started thinking on the serious subject of my favorite sweet treats through the years, and thought it might be worth sharing with you. Here are three of my all time favorites!

Creme Brulee - Paris and Bouchon in Asheville
I was lucky enough to visit Paris twice in my lifetime, and one of my favorite things to do was order creme brulee every chance that I got! I love creme brulee because of the creamy, rich, texture, and crunchy topping. At one time, I thought about making this dessert myself, but decided I would rather order one that someone else has taken the time and trouble to make! I have not made it back to Paris, but did discover a comparatively mouth watering creme brulee at the French restaurant Bouchon here in Asheville. Their version is actually a "flight" of four mini creme brulees. They vary the selection. I have eaten the lavender, which is delicious, as well as an unusual rosemary flavored sample. This dessert is satisfying, interesting, and nostalgic for me, as it always reminds me of Paris! Also, there is enough to take home for the next day if you don't share it with your spouse!

Chocolate Lava Cake in Santiago, Chile

Santiago, Chile was a fun city with numerous sights and great desserts. I appreciated the fact that Chileans are really into their sweet treats (postres) and every restaurant or cafe had a variety of items from which to choose. One that I particularly remember is a white chocolate mousse with chardonnay sauce - really different and very yummy! But my favorite Chilean dessert was a Chocolate Lava Cake, eaten at a winery. We had done an all day tour in wine country, and by lunch time (a late, middle of the day meal), I had consumed many glasses of various delicious wines. The lunch appetizers and entree were great, but I honestly did not believe that I had room for a dessert after all of the wine. But the chocolate lava cake was warm, and had a rich, succulent dark chocolate sauce that was so good that I forgot that I was full of wine! I have tasted other lava cakes - really good but not quite at the level of the Chilean version.

Chocolate Chimichanga at Sundown Restaurant in Atlanta
There used to be a great Southwestern restaurant in Atlanta called Sundown. I would go there with my friends for savory lunches and dinners. But the main reason I made so many trips to Sundown was because of a dessert called the Chocolate Chimichanga. A friend recommended it on my first trip to Sundown, and I remembered being puzzled by the idea of a chocolate filled tortilla for dessert! But this heavenly delight was filled with a warm, delectable cream and chocolate sauce which included rum, and I believe, tequilla. The combination of chocolate and alcohol made this an irresistible after dinner treat. I would have easily gone there just for the chocolate chimichanga. Unfortunately, I moved from Atlanta in 2001, and Sundown has closed since then. But my last week in Atlanta in July, 2001, I decided to order one last chocolate chimichanga for lunch. To my horror, the waiter told me that Sundown did not make desserts for lunch! I was almost in tears, and devastated that I might not experience another chocolate chimichanga. My friend, Catherine, knew how disappointed I was not to get that last chimichanga, so later that evening, she brought me one! I ate it the morning that we moved, and it was a perfect farewell to Atlanta! And I have never seen or experienced that dessert again, although I have searched for it.

Other favorite desserts of all time include: every birthday cake that my Mother ever made for me; Elaine's chocolate Vermont cake; Gloria's key lime pie; Ellen's matzo toffee brittle; every dessert at Mayfel's in Asheville that I have eaten. I will keep discovering great desserts. It is a rough job, but somebody has to do it!!