| By Caroline Fyffe | July 30, 2009 |
Calling all bakers!! Help!
I love cherries!! And most of all I love cherry pie. I even write about pies in my books. Where the Wind Blows, which released on Tuesday of this week, and is my Lonesome Dove meets Little House on the Prairie story, has a page or two devoted to Jessie at work baking an apple pie for a bent-out-of-shape, Chase. And, Cassie, heroine of my wip, Sourdough Creek, also has her very own pie-baking scene where the hero saves the day-and the pie!!! Love that guy! So, you see, these delectable pastries have captivated not only my pallet, but also my muse. Coincidentally, I’m very lucky because I have one of the best producing cherry trees this side of the Mississippi.
Just look at the abundance. It took me several days to clear its branches – or actually, until I quit from exhaustion. The birds, nuisances that they are, were totally happy I got tired and finally gave up leaving them many juicy morsels that were too high for me to reach.
After the hot sticky job of picking, I washed and then pitted. I measured my bounty into four-cup portions and put them in freezer bags to keep for later. It’s wonderful now that all the hard work is done. All I have to do when the urge strikes is mix my flour, sugar, vanilla, and cornstarch together and pull out a sack of already measured, washed and pitted cherries. It’s fast and easy.
So, why the call for help you ask? My problem is I don’t have a recipe that is consistent. Sometimes my pies come out fabulous, a delight to any taste bud and at other times they are runny like water-and a huge disappointment. Confused, I keep switching back and forth between recipes that use cornstarch, tapioca or flour for thickening. I’ve heard several women swear by the tapioca, but I can’t seem to make that work. I’m sure there must be a good number of bakers out there with a fabulous, fail-safe family recipe that you wouldn’t mind sharing. I’d love to hear your ideas……
BTW: I always seem to have a pit or two hiding in every pie I bake no matter how diligent I work at extracting them all. I have to warn everyone before they try a slice. What is the best way of pitting? Advice anyone?
In celebration of my debut novel I’m giving away a copy of, Where The Wind Blows, to a person who leaves me a comment. Also, if you want to enter my Under The Western Sky Contest that’s running August 1st to December 1st., all you need to do is watch my Book Preview on my website, and write your version of the last line of the story. Anything goes so don’t be shy. We’re looking to have fun. Grand prize is a night stay in an ol’ western bunkhouse under the stars. Check the details at www.carolinefyffe.com
July 30th, 2009 at 9:56 am
OMG, Caroline, this post has me DROOLING. I love cherry pie. I haven’t got a tried and true recipe of my own, but I just found this one yesterday:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/sour-cherry-slab-pie/
while I was looking at her recipe for roasted tomatoes:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/slow-roasted-tomatoes/
Hey, what if you tried roasting the cherries a little bit beforehand (especially if they’ve been frozen), to remove some of the liquid & concentrate the flavor before you bake them in a pie?
Unfortunately, I don’t have too many cherries (wish I did!), but I do have a gazillion tomatoes ripening out back… and I also tend to go a little nuts over the heirloom tomatoes at the local farm market. I’m thinking bruschetta for lunch…
July 30th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Good morning, Laura! Have you had your coffee yet?
Thank you so much for the recipe. I will try it. And that is a fabulous idea about roasting the cherries. Something new to try…yeeepppiii.
And, brochette is my very favorite. I’ll order it many times for my actual dinner. I did just that in DC when my agent took a few authors out to dinner at Ebbits. It was great and filled with heirlooms. I adore them too.
Thanks for coming by. In case you’re interested in seeing about my treadmill desk—and how I use it to write– I’m blogging at The Seekers about it today… http://seekerville.blogspot.com/ They are serving up muffins, fresh fruit and speciality coffee. Stop by.
Thanks again for your culinary help!
July 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Foodie talk? Woohoo! I’m a huge baker but I’ve never made a cherry pie. Cherries don’t do well in my neck of the woods, but a few hours north of Phoenix sits the Mogollon Rim, which sports incredible little pockets of Arizona sun-kissed blackberries. And, yep, I make a killer Buttermilk-Crusted Blackberry Cobbler.
Laura, my daughters and I eat bruschetta for lunch all the time. We were on a Greek kick for awhile, using marinated artichoke hearts, kalamata olives and feta with our home-grown tomatoes, basil and oregano. Heavenly…
July 30th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Shelley~~Hi~~Good morning. Isn’t it wonderful to talk about food this early in the morn?
I’m wondering why the killer Buttermilk Crusted Blackberry Cobbler would not work with cherries. I’d love to try. If the recipe is already on your computer can you shoot it over to my e-mail, or post it here is that isn’t too hard. I’d love to try it. My family LOVES anything with the word buttermilk attached.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Omigosh Caroline your pies look fabulous! You wouldn’t hear me complaining about a few pits, that’s for sure! My mind is scrambling to figure out where I can get a piece of cherry pie today. That blackberry cobbler sounds incredible also and would be wonderful with cherries instead I’m sure.
I don’t bake so can’t help you with the recipes. Good luck!
Beth
July 30th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Beth~ Your enthusiasm comes right through the computer. LOL!!
One thinks the pits are no big deal until one bites down on one. OUCH! LOL We don’t realize the strength of our jaws until it’s too late and it’s time to go to the dentist.
But, I’m with you, Beth. I’d love a piece of anything sweet to go along with my coffee…
Even if you don’t bake you must have a favorite dessert? Yes??
Big hugs!
July 30th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I’m not a baker (unless it’s for a prepackaged box with Pillsbury on the label and numbered instructions on the back). But YUM about cherries!
No need to enter me in the contest because I’m lucky enough to have a copy of WHERE THE WIND BLOWS already (and it’s wonderful!!!). So good luck to everyone else.
July 30th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Hey, Shelley, I’ll take the killer Buttermilk Crusted Blackberry Cobbler recipe, too!! ::more drooling:: I’ve been getting some lovely blackberries at our farm market lately. (The trick will be keeping my family from eating them before I bake them up!)
July 30th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Good moring, Cate! Thanks for stopping in. Box baking is great! I do that a lot too. Just depends on how daring I feel at that moment.
And, thanks for the flowers on the book. It’s just so strange having people read it. LOL
July 30th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Laura, is the kitchen done? Are you using it yet?
I love farmers markets! Gets people together and one has the chance of picking up totally fresh produce.
July 30th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Thanks for asking, Caroline! The kitchen & bathrooms are 90% done. We’re waiting on one thing in each room (of course!). We still need the tile for the backsplash in the kitchen, but it’s fully functional otherwise. I’ve been putting stuff away and rearranging and yes, cooking. (Can’t believe how happy I am to be able to wash dishes again!) I loooove the new layout (so much counter space!!).
We have a terrific local farm market. I love being able to buy such fresh, fresh produce. (Okay, except for the plum with the worm in it! ::grin::) We eat most of it before I can actually cook with it, though, especially the fruits!
July 30th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I’m no help with recipes, but those pictures are awesome!
July 30th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I’m happy for you Laura. We did that a few years ago and there is nothing like having a *new* kitchen!! Happy wife, happy life. LOL
July 30th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
That’s okay, Cindy! But, thanks for the flowers on my photos. I wish I had taken the Cherry Face. It’s too cool!!!
July 30th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Opps, you meant the cherries, not the photos. {{Blush}}
July 30th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Hi Caroline. I have a pie baking scene in one of my WIPs too. Maybe it’s my way of vicariously enjoying the sweets? Nah – just leaves me craving the real thing.
Sorry I can’t help on the recipe but I wanted to say that I love what I can see of your kitchen from the pictures. I live in an apartment in NYC so the idea of a lovely big kitchen to bake in makes me dream.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Wow, Caroline! Those pies look delicious!!! Yummy. That looks like a lot of work. I can understand why you had your hero save the pie in your book!
What a great tree you have. Maybe the prize today should be some of those cherry seeds to plant our own tree!
July 30th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Hi Mary!
I’m so happy you stopped by! Cool about you writing pie baking scenes too!! Is your story also western historical, regency or contemporary?
My kitchen is very large–and I realize just how lucky I am. Right now it’s stacked high with promotional items for my book. Hahaha. I need to get it cleaned up again so my family doesn’t throw a fit. Is your apartment downtown NYC?
~Caro
July 30th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Yum, Caroline! I just got back from a going away lunch…and those pictures made my mouth water! The fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach – and your heroines know this! Congrats again on the book coming out this week! Kayla
July 30th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Thanks, Kayla!
And you would know since you’re my critique partner and helped edit that scene! LOL
Thanks again for everything you do for me. I hope the going away lunch was good!?!
July 30th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Yum! Those pies look delicious! I’ll be right over. LOL!
I’m not a baker which is probably a good thing as my hubby is on Weight Watchers. However, I must check out your other blog. I may have to change my treadmill into a desk. Thanks.
Congratulations on your book release!
July 30th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Caroline–my hubby is nuts about homemade pie! I’ve found changing from fresh fruit to frozen can vary the amount of flour I need to use, which is the ONLY thickener my pie-aficionado husband likes.
July 30th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Hi Gail,
Thanks for dropping in. Yes, go over to Seekers and take a look. I met Tina from our 007 group. She saw my treadmill desk on my website and built one—and loves it!!! Then she wanted me to share the idea with The Seekers. It’s been fun. And I have a link to a site that tells you how to do it.
I wish you could just pop over. That would be a kick. I would bake some Cherry Muffins that Laura just sent me the recipe for~~~<3
~Caro
July 30th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Flour, you say!!
The next pie I bake, Laurie, I will trust your hubby’s preference and use Flour, and see how I fair. And I’ll use a little extra since when I thaw my cherries they are a bit watery–Actually, I’ll roast them first, too.
Lots of good tips.
July 30th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Oh, goodness! Those cherries look absolutely luscious! YUM!! Having never made a pie from scratch, what you did looks to be an amazing feat from my perspective. I’m in awe.
July 30th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Those are just beautiful pictures, Caroline.
I don’t make pies either but I buy them.
How do you keep the birds from eating all the cherries?
July 30th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Hi Marilyn — how are you??
I always thought the same until I started making my own. If you have a good recipe that works, it’s really easy. And, the crust the easiest of all. I LOVE crust and people always think there is a special trick to making it, but there isn’t…. it’s fun.
Thanks so much for coming by.
July 30th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Tina, the birds are a true nuisance!! The black ones with a red spot on their wings are the worst. You have to watch the tree carefully waiting for the cherries to be ripe enough to pick. If they turn, and you wait, those birds can strip the tree in 24 hours, I kid you not. It’s happened to me before. I’ve even cried at the thought of all that wonderful fruit — gone!
I do like other birds very much. Just not the ones who live in my yard.
Hugs,
~C
July 30th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
So Caroline, does the cherry pitter work well enough? I have a cherry tree and I’ve quit picking them. I am crazy for cherries but they are so hard and time consuming to pit and I feel like SCUM for admitting that but I just never get to them.
I’ve been calling in a neightbor for the last few years and she’s young and cares enough to pit the very best.
July 30th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
btw I have a cherry jam recipe that will make you weep and gorge on toast w/ jam for weeks. But I don’t make it anymore. Those blasted pits!!!!!!!!
July 30th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Hi Mary, can I have the cherry jam recipe? I’d love to try that.
The pitter works okay. Like I mentioned, I have to be watchful and remind people to go slowly. I really wouldn’t want someone to lose a filling or crown. That would be horrible. So I totally understand where you are coming from.
Don’t feel like scum!! LOL
If it makes you feel better to know I have a beautiful Asian pear tree and this year EVERY pear went to feed the birds. Has anyone bought an Asian pear lately? They are worth their weight in gold!!
Thanks for coming by!
~Caro
July 30th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Hey Caroline,
No contest for me; I have already read your book and don’t want to be greedy.
Pies can be a pain, especially using fresh fruit because the juice content relies on so many variables, weather and ripeness being just two. The riper the fruit, the more flour I put in a recipe to thicken the juices. (Yes, I know weather sounds odd, but it’s true; a wet growing season and you get VERY juicy fruits. Dry growing seasons lead to mealier flesh.) This is why so many gals I know use canned fruit for pie fillings–they like the consistancy, something Mother Nature can’t claim.
{{{Hugs}}}
July 30th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Wow, Gwynlyn, I never realized all that about the weather, growing seasons, rain fall–no wonder I have problems.
This is great info.
Thanks! xoxoxox
July 30th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
If I was to sum up everything from today I’d say;
I’ll roast the cherries; use only flour to thicken and to use MORE flour than I have been in the past.
I’m very encouraged. I do have a new cherry muffing recipe–thank you very much, Laura. And I hope Mary will send the recipe for the cherry jam.
Thank you all for your friendship and support!!.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Caroline: what the others said. Wow, those cherries look so edible they leap off the page. For birthdays my daughter wants cherry pie instead of cake. Can’t help you with the pit problem
but I do love the pictures, the theme of the story and your KITCHEN!!!! Congrats on the release, I will check out the last line contest!
July 30th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Super, Donnell, I hope you’ll enter–and everyone else too.
Also, tell your daughter she
has very, very good taste. LOL
Cherry on….
~C
July 30th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Delicious blog, Caroline!
I wish I had a cherry pie recipe, but my dh is an apple pie lover. I bake him one every year for his birthday, instead of cake.
Jeez, it sounds like I only bake once a year–with growing kids–it’s more than that!
I hope you’ll share how your recipes turn out!
July 30th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Yea for Birthday Pie!! A new American trend….
Thanks for popping in, Deb. I’ll let you know how the pie comes out.
~Caro
July 30th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
The winner of Where the Wind Blows is Mary C. !! Woo Hoo!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Mary please send your mailing address to carolinefyffe@gmail.com and your book will be mailed out pronto.
Thanks to all for making this a fun post….
{{{hugs}}}
~Caroline
July 31st, 2009 at 12:07 am
Oh my, Caroline. I’ve never won a blog giveaway before. Thanks SO much. I sent you the email. Congrats on your debut. I can’t wait to read Where the Wind Blows.
Oh, and my pie-baking scene is in a contemp. The heroine is baking them for a Thanksgiving Dinner at a soup kitchen.
July 31st, 2009 at 2:30 am
Yum. I love cherry pie but my head hurts just thinking about making one from SCRATCH! I bow to you, Caroline. I’m so impressed! The only sweets I make from scratch are Nestle Toll House cookies – and then only when I have a chocolate craving. I’m thinking my kids are missing out on the whole home cooked/good mom thing.
Congrats on the release! I’m (obviously) no help on the pie recipe!!
August 1st, 2009 at 1:41 am
Sorry I’m late in responding! I just got back from Canada with the family. I don’t have the perfect cherry pie recipe, but I do have a secret for the perfect crust – I make all my fruit pies in a 9″ or 10″ Cast Iron Skillet. It looks really beautiful, the pies are deep-dish and the bottom crust gets crispy instead of mushy. I usually use a combination of flour and tapioca to thicken it, especially with juicy pies like cherries.
Love the pictures and if you’re sending out pits to start trees, I’d love it!
Hugs…Robin
August 1st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Hi Mary~~
I’m excited that you’re excited!! Woo Hoo!!
I’ll send Where the Wind Blows out to you on Monday.
Have a great weekend!!
~C
August 1st, 2009 at 2:31 pm
LOL–Elisabeth!!
You crack me up. I’d love a Nestle Toll House right now. I can smell ‘em cooking…..
August 1st, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Rob!! in!! ~~ Bless you, bless you!!!
I LOVE that idea. I want to try it today. I’ll bet it looks totally awesome and the crispy crust sounds really wonderful. I’ll let you know how it ends up.
Hope your trip to Canada was great!!
~Caro