pie, cakes, a scarf, and happiness: things i made this week

Hi, remember me?  I'm the insane person who bakes a pie every Wednesday.  Were you wondering where your weekly dose of pie was?  It's a bit late, but hey, better late than never, right?

This week, I decided to take a lesson from Chuck and put some Gruyere cheese in my pie crust.  I can think of no words to articulate how good this was.  The pie was a pear pie; just pears, no berry funny business to detract from the subtle pear flavors. 

The grated Gruyere seemed to help bring out the subtlety of the fruit and it was beyond fantastic.  I used the Pate Brisee pastry dough recipe from Joy of Cooking--the 1972 reprint (my standby pie crust) and just threw some grated Gruyere in the dough.  This is a first for me, but I didn't measure the amount.  I just grated until my happiness meter hit "happy".  I can not wait to try this with apple pie...it would probably be good with strawberry pie too....hmmm.

 

So yes, if you are a pie baker, you are not living until you toss some Gruyere in the pie crust of your fruited pie.  Seriously, what are you waiting for, THAT was your invitation!

And then there was cake, there were two cakes actually; but, since one was made from a box (at Special K's request, honestly, I have no idea), I am going to talk about the cake that rates.  I made the American Chocolate Layer Cake from Maida Heatter's Cakes book.  This cake is all kinds of fantastic.  It was made for Special K's birthday, which we sort of celebrated after his birthday when he returned from a trip to California (we had the boxed one for his actual birthday, a fact that I am really embarrassed to admit, sigh).

It was delicious (the baked from scratch one, not the boxed one--which was passable, but come on it was from a box!).  And here is the thing about Maida's (we are so on a first name basis right now) cake, one slice is really two slices.  Because it's four layers.  I don't think anyone needs a four layer cake; but, I have a feeling, deep down, everyone kind of wants one.

And since a birthday offers a knitter a great opportunity to give a knitted gift, I knit the boy a scarf. 

I can't really say anything about this scarf that has not been said before.  "Noro is great...knitting it was a breeze...it knit up so fast, I didn't even realize the passage of time...the stripes are fun..." etcetera, etcetera.  If you really need the details, they are in the 2008 gallery.

Seriously, it was a quick knit that has been done for a while, I enjoyed knitting it and I will likely knit another at some point.  The best part, Special K loves it.  And hopefully, he will be able to convince Little Sir to share the scarf, because the kid loves it too; and, sharing doesn't seem to be something he is interested in right now.

Back off, this is MY scarf.

I also spent some time at Webs learning to spin over the past weekend; but, that is a story for another time.  A gastroenteritis-afflicted (fun times!) Little Sir is waking up and wants the mom, because I am, truly, so much fun. 

I hope your weekends are full of football, snacks, pie, cake, knitting, crafting or whatever makes you jolly.

Comments

[Stella]

Oh, man. I can hardly express how awesome all of these things look. You're really making me want some pie.

Oh, and yes, 4 layers of cake = better than 2 layers, every time.

[stacey]

wow. the pie and cake look amazing! a slice is a slice right? just more goodness in a 4 layer slice.. :) i have to make me one of those scarves eventually. they are everwhere!

[margene]

The cake looks good but the pie is to live for!!!

[Kwana]

What a week you had! The cake and the pie are amazing. You inspire a non-baker like me.
And the scarf is just great. Now I have to have that yarn.

[Mandy]

I can't believe you actually put gruyere in your crust. That rocks a lot.

And you are right, I DO want a four layer cake, but I don't even know why.

[Amy]

What a cutie!!!

And as good as gruyere is, sharp-sharp cheddar in an apple pie crust? Also very very good.

[Kristy]

I've been asking for Gruyere-pear pie since we watched that episode of PD last week. Mmmm, I can hardly wait!

That cake looks devine, too.

[Glenna]

YUM. That pie is something I dream of, have done ever since PD started.

The cake looks deelish, although my fave is the reverse - chocolate cake and white icing! (I just did some cupcakes in that form today, mmmm)

[Opal]

How funny! I was just talking about how I've never had pear pie. Yours looks divine. *drool*

That picture of Little Sir is so precious. I think Special K should approach with extreme caution. ;-)

[Lindsey]

Aw, that does not sound like fun. I hope Little Sir feels better soon!

And as for your baking, not only have you made me ravenous, but you've also reminded me that baking always makes me feel better when I'm stressed! I think you just saved my sanity!! Have a lovely weekend!

[katie]

oh, that cake! i want some of that cake!

[Kristin]

Gruyere in pie crust is the most culinary genius I have ever heard!! I will be trying it asap.

[Mintyfresh]

Wow, four layers! I hope Special K knows how special it is that you essentially baked him 3 cakes :) I'm definitely eager to try gruyere in a pear pie. That sounds heavenly.

[Lisa]

Oh goodness, that pie sounds heavenly. Did you put a couple of happy-drops in it too? I sure miss Pushing Daisies... when will this writers strike be over?

[Heather]

Maida--she is a goddess, my go-to gal, but I've told you that before.

Exciting tidbit: My dad grew up in St. Louis and lived in the same neighborhood as the Rombauers--Mrs. Rombauer was bed-ridden and dictated all her recipes to her daughter, isn't that fascinating?

[Beth]

Wow! All four layers look wonderful! I wish I was at your house this week. Pie and cake. Mmmm!

[angie]

The cake looks absolutely DIVINE, Nova...especially to a 36 week pregnant woman with insomnia. Mmmm...chocolate cake(with a helping of ice cream, please!)

[Mira]

My tummy is calling out to your pie and cake!! The pictures make them look even more real..yummmmm

That's a really pretty scarf too!

[interlacings.blogspot.com]

Love that scarf--am starting one for "Super Bowl" -(not!!) watching. Great idea for cheese in the crust--pear pie, sounds yummy. Little Sir is so cute all wrapped up...

[leslie]

i'm wondering if that pie would be good with a little chardonnay? pears. cheese. i can only imagine how delicious that must be!
now that is the wonderful ending to a long birthday celebration! a BIG cake and a beautiful scarf! life is good.

[diana]

Pie and cake? My waistband hurts just looking at those delicious treats. And the look on Little Sir's face is just priceless. It ranks up there with the "I'm afraid of grass" photo from months ago.

[Caroline]

I really don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful picture of a pie.

[Christy / Not Hip]

You are my new personal hero...I want that pie sooo much. And I miss my Pushing Daisies sooooooo much.
An little sir...well he is just rockin that scarf.

[Lisa]

I've never had pear pie, but I'd love to try it! And the Noro scarf - I've got that on my 'Future Knits' list. Yours is beautiful.

[yaiAnn]

Yum!! Finally a recipe for D'anjou pears because that's all I've got at home! And box cake mix is also something I don't like to talk about or admit to. But sometimes you just gotta. At least I try to make it up with homemade frosting.