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Home » dessert

Grief Ups and Downs Pie Fail

Published: May 2, 2014 · Modified: Jun 25, 2024 by Lisa Keys · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

Last Updated on June 25, 2024 by Lisa Keys

Pie with juices bubbled over.

Grief Ups and Downs and a pie fail.

Very happy to report the month of April is behind me, but not without a few unexpected grief ups & downs in the kitchen.  First, I just want to thank all of you who sent cards, personal messages, flowers, texts and phone calls. I am grateful for your caring and kindness. It is crucial to never feel alone in one's grief ups and downs. Clearly, a simple loving word or gesture can make a huge difference in carrying one through the rough days.

Second, for the first time in my life I could relate to the Easter story.  I listened to a sermon given by a minister who had just lost his son. Hard to imagine, but this minister, in all his suffering, delivered a joyful message...and gave some much needed hope of life in the ever after. The thought of being reunited with our loved ones is an uplifting one and one that heals a broken heart. This is not how it ends. We will see each other again.

My son and dog.

In the mean time, real life happens back in the kitchen. My downfall came after buying the most beautiful rosy rhubarb and strawberries at the local market. I wasn't planning on making a pie, but just couldn't resist these unexpected goodies in the produce section. Seasonal fruit at its best...pie heaven here I come.

A proper pie dough speckled with bits of butter and lard.

A proper pie dough is speckled with bits of butter and lard.

Pressed for time I made the mistake of making the pie dough in a food processor. Over worked, the bits of butter and lard normally speckling the dough were sadly missing and when baked the crust lacked structure. To make matters worse the filling was overly juicy and never quite jelled. The recipe I used is from the book Baking Illustrated. The filling tastes delicious with a touch of orange and vanilla, but was a saucy mess and better served over ice cream. I am not going to share a failed recipe here, but invite you all to share your most tried and true strawberry rhubarb pie recipe with me, so I don't mess it up next time.

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  1. annagins

    May 03, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    Sorry that one didn't work out, but maybe you'd like this one. It has the orange flavor you liked, but it sets up nicely (or at least mine did) thanks to a mixture of cornstarch and juice that you cook over the stove. You also macerate the rhubarb, which takes care of any excess juice that might come out of the fruit as it cooks. https://www.cookiemadness.net/2014/04/strawberry-rhubarb-pie/. I can't help you with the crust, 'cause I seem to use a different recipe every time. LOL. I did like how this one held together, though.

    Reply
    • lisakeys64

      May 04, 2014 at 6:56 am

      Thanks, Anna. I will be trying your recipe next time. It looks and sound perfect.....and coming from a million dollar Pillsbury Bake-Off champion I know it is a winner. Honored that you are here, dear friend!!

      Reply
  2. Lou Matino

    May 03, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    I have been know to buy strawberry rhubarb pie. I love it.

    Reply
    • lisakeys64

      May 04, 2014 at 6:58 am

      Well if you ever decide to try (or convince Tracy to bake a strawberry rhubarb pie) check out this recipe from my friend Anna. Plus her blog is great for all baking recipes, but pretty famous for her cookies.... https://www.cookiemadness.net/2014/04/strawberry-rhubarb-pie/

      Reply

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