Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Old Man Retirement Blueberry Pie

Why the name you ask? You betcha, Dick Davis has retired! Dad is done, after many many years in the work world, and tomorrow is his first day of freedom. Well...sort of. But, to celebrate, I dipped my toes into something different--pie. I'm the chocolate lover, my mom prefers some sort of praline dessert but my dad has this elusive interest in things like tiramisu, baklava and Amish pies.

Driving to Penn State for several years taught him well. The Amish know how to do it. From their cherry cobblers to their fresh bread, it's hard to turn down. This is where I learned my dad likes pie. Cherry, peach, blueberry, apple, you name it. So, in honor of dear old Dad, blueberry pie it was.

I found the recipe in gasp Cooking Light. Let's get this straight. I don't think desserts should be light. Desserts are meant to be rich and sweet and sinful. Well, here's the catch. If fruit is the main ingredient in a dessert, you can feel a little better about it (unless you totally kill it with sugar, butter, cream cheese, or other rich flavors). Luckily, this cake doesn't do that! So, we got a healthy sweet fix that was a cinch to make.

Now, let me preface this by saying there are two ways to do this. The easy way, or the hard way. I took the easy way.

What ya need:
2 refrigerated pie crusts (you can make your own here, if you're feeling ambitious)
6 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen works)
1 cup sugar, divided
3.5 tbsp corn starch
1/8 tsp salt
1.5 tbsp butter, melted
3/4 tsp vanilla extract

What ya do:
Preheat oven to 375 and pour blueberries into big mixing bowl

Mix 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar with the cornstarch and salt in a separate bowl. Pour and gently toss over blueberries.

Stir in butter and vanilla. Spoon gently into one pie crust.

Cut other pie crust into 6 1.5 inch slices for lattice topping. Arrange over pie and seal strips to the edge of the crust.

Place on a baking sheet covered with foil (the center will ooze out). Sprinkle with remaining 1 tbsp sugar.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is bubbling.

This dessert filled the house with a homey, comforting smell. It was the perfect choice for my Dad, and even my mom took a big slice. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and enjoy.

Bliss... I wish my pictures turned out better. Guess this is why I'll never make top 9! Try this for your Memorial day!


12 comments:

Julie M. said...

Yum! That looks delicious. I love blueberries. Add in pie and I'm sold. Thanks for sharing!

Cookbook Queen said...

Gorgeous Pie!!!

Biren said...

Lovely pie, perfect for Memorial Day!

Mother Rimmy said...

Beautiful pie, your dad is a lucky man!

Roxan said...

Beautiful pie! Congrats to your dad on retirement, he has worked so hard for this. What's he going to do with all his free time? My in-laws retired a couple years ago and it seems like they're busier than ever now... those social butterflies!

Monet said...

I love blueberry pie, and yours looks delicious. Congrats on your dads retirement!

Joy said...

That looks really good. I like how the blueberries are oozing out.

The Cilantropist said...

Look at that lovely lattice! :) great job!

Jean said...

Blueberries are among my favorite berries. Sadly, I've never made my own pie before--there's my fear of the dough making process. Soon maybe. Your pie is motivating me to try this out very soon.

Viviane Bauquet Farre / Food and Style said...

Jessie, Your post is making me look forward to blueberry season in NY... Wonderful pie!

Alisa said...

Yum!I wish I had a slice of this right now.If you wont mind I'd love to guide Foodista readers to this post.Just add the foodista widget to the end of this post and it's all set, Thanks!

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

I love blueberries and blueberry pie! And I have ten blueberry bushes that always give me more than enough -- enough to share with the birds. I shy away from making pie for two reasons: 1.) husband doesn't like and 2.) fear of crust. But you've inspired me to be get over it, be a biggie girl and just make it!