Pie Party

Sometimes when I make pies, I decide that I want to share them with others. Truthfully, this does not occur as often as it should, because I usually eat most of the pie myself! Recently, I wanted  to host a gathering where pie and conversation could be shared. So I invited several ladies that I knew to be as enthusiastic as I was about pie eating!

It was tough deciding which of the many pies in my favorite pie recipe books I should bake.The Four and Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book, by the Elsen sisters was the book that initiated my world of pie baking. There are so many choices, but I especially like the fruit pies in this book. So I chose one that I have made many times: "The Bourbon Pear Crumble Pie". Fresh pears, bourbon, brown sugar, allspice and ginger make this a sinful, delicious combination. As many times as I have made this treat, I have never been disappointed, particularly when it is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

My other favorite cook book for pies is A Year of Pies, by Ashley English. I I have made several delicious pies from this book, my favorite being "Lemon-Lime Chess Pie". Chess pies are a southern tradition, and this one has a unique lemon and lime combination that is hard to resist.  In addition to the lemon and lime juices and zests, this pie has eggs, butter, sugar, and the special ingredient common to chess pies, cornmeal. The sweet and tart combination is a pleasure to the taste buds! This treat is very refreshing in the spring and summer months.

As a third pie for my friends to indulge in, I chose a creamy pumpkin pie recipe that I had discovered online. This pie had been a hit at a dinner party and I wanted to try it again. The usual cooked pumpkin, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger were primary ingredients, but this recipe also calls for sweetened condensed milk. I had never used condensed milk in my pumpkin pies, and realized that this adds a nice creaminess and texture. Whipped cream tops this pumpkin pie off perfectly!

I think that my guests enjoyed the pies. Asking which was the favorite of the day, the winner appears to be the lemon/lime chess. As I have said many times, I love to bake and then eat the pies that I make. But it is even better when friends can eat a "pie meal" together. Friends and pie are a happy combination!