A Southern Grace: ashamed...but only for a hot second

July 2, 2008

ashamed...but only for a hot second

Yum

I made a pie.


I made a pie, and even though I make a delicious and flaky and delicate and buttery and all-together fabulous crust, I fell into sloth-mode and used a frozen one.

Yes, I was ashamed. I was ashamed while making the filling and crumble topping, I was ashamed while the pie baked, and I was ashamed while it cooled a bit.

The shame melted away after that first bite, much like the honkin' heap of vanilla ice cream on top.


Even though my own double crust would've been much better, this version with the fake bottom and crumbly top hit the spot.

The filling was extra special because I used the blueberries that I bought at Chelsea Market. (I also got some really good deals on little tubs of cinnamon, cumin, cloves, and ginger.)


Lazy Bum's Blueberry Pie
(adapted from this recipe)

Crust:
1 glorious 8-inch pie shell from your grocer's trusty freezer

Filling:
4 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, cubed

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven.

To make the filling: In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Place the blueberries in a large bowl. Add the sugar mixture to the blueberries and gently toss to combine. Pour the mixture into the glorious pie shell.

To make the topping: Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Cut in butter until crumbly and fantastic. Sprinkle over filling.

Bake the pie for about 20 minutes and then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue to bake the pie for about 35 - 45 minutes or until the topping is a deep golden brown color and the juices are bubbling and thick.

Place the baked pie on a wire rack to cool for several hours. (I dare you.)(I lasted 15 minutes.)

In case you're wondering about the aforementioned heap of ice cream, I wasn't making it up. What kind of nincompoop do you think I am? It's just that the picture is less than ideal...


...because I didn't want to compromise the integrity of the magnificent pie-ice cream combination. I refuse to sacrifice taste and texture for the sake of blog photography. So there.

55 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ha! Isn't it funny about kitchen-guilt?! Someone ought to do a blog event called "Secret Shameful Kitchen Shortcuts" wherein everyone posts a recipe they'd normally never admit to and which guests always rave about. :-)

Hmmm... maybe WE should do it!

Beth (jamandcream) said...

There is no shame in being a lazy bum every once in a while!

Peter M said...

Smile... I wanna see your blue teeth!

Anonymous said...

Grace- I know the feeling. While visiting my family my mother to my absolute horror made a strawberry rhubarb pie with a frozen pie crust. How could she? But, after one bite, I forgave my mom.

LyB said...

In this case, I am the definition of a lazy bum; I wish I could use a frozen pie crust for next week's Tuesdays with Dorie! The recipe is Double Crusted Blueberry Pie and I'm horrible at making pie crusts. Stay tuned to see if my pie looks half as good as yours! :)

Tabby said...

That looks delicious! And easy is definitely my style...so I may actually try this one!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

The grocery store comes in very handy sometimes. Nothing wrong with using frozen:D

Leslie said...

You slacker!!! NO homeade pie crust??? You should be ashamed of yourself!!LOL. Hey we all need to take shortcuts sometimes!!!!I looks yummy!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey, there's nothing wrong with taking a shortcut every once in a while.

Or if you are like me, who is lacking the crust making gene, you use this specific shortcut all the time.

Shhhhhhh, don't tell anyone.

Katie said...

Sometimes you need a short cut. And with a great filling no one will ever notice. When they say great pie you just smile and nod it works everytime!

Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer said...

I think they call this being Human!! Still looks great and if it was in my fridge I would eat it!!

Cheers
Cathy
www.wheresmydamnanswer.com

Sophie said...

You're right :)! Nothing beats the pie and ice cream combo! Sometimes I'm having a huge craving that I have to have met right away, so I'll settle for the 'quick-fix' too. :)

Lisa said...

I've tried the pie pastry thing and for special occasions homemade pastry is a real treat. Still when I want to put some luscious summer fruit on the table for dinner there isn't one person I know who really minds if I've wrapped it in a store bought crust! :-)

Anonymous said...

I do use the frozen crust too...shamefully--I'm not proud.. but I let it thaw a little and then remove it from the tell-tale aluminium pie pan before baking!

giz said...

If you can cut a corner and still get a gorgeous outcome - like who cares!!! It's all about flavour - I'm just not enough of a food snob to believe that there are times when a frozen or instant thing just cuts the mustard - so to speak. Just put your thoughts to how delicious it is and how many antioxidants you're having.

Anonymous said...

Don't be ashamed! It takes a lot of time to make crust and if that stops you from making dessert well that's just not accepatable! This looks wonderful. The guilt stops here!

Deborah said...

I used to always make my crusts from scratch, but I find myself using store bought ones every once in awhile now. Nothing to be ashamed of! Especially when you make something that looks like that!

Melanie said...

I'm a fellow lazy bum and I love your blueberry pie. I would gladly eat it all by myself - store-bought crust or not.

eatme_delicious said...

Haha well the pie looks good! No reason to feel guilty.

pam said...

Wow! That's beautiful. I've never, ever made a pie crust from scratch, and don't really have any plans to attempt one!

Chef Jeena said...

Grace, when I saw the slice of pie my tongue flapped straight out of my mouth and sat on the floor drooling!

There is no way you are a lazy bum....although I did laugh at the title!

Anonymous said...

Thankfully I'm a lazy bum and this will be perfect for me to make. Whaoo, lazy bums unite!

Bunny said...

i love crumb topping on a pie, yours looks sooo good! great job grace! i would gladly admit to being a lazy bum for just a little slice!! lol

krysta said...

I forgive you because I can't make a pie crust to save my life... seriously I would die!

Anonymous said...

This post makes me laugh. I did the exact same thing yesterday. Well, with the exception that I totally screwed up making a pie crust from scratch and then resorted to the freezer. There's nothing wrong with taking a shortcut once in a while though.

Anonymous said...

Your filling looks fabulous! It would disguise a store-bought crust any day!

Anonymous said...

Haha love the name of it! That looks so good with the ice cream. I have a real soft spot for blueberries. Mmmm.... And don't be ashamed, even for that hot second. I alwayas buy my pastry, I just don't/can't do it.

Y said...

There shall be no negativity attached to pie! Especially a pie with such an attractive filling!

Love it's name too :)

Nic said...

Who cares when it looks this fabulous?
If you decide to start the lazy bums club, can I join?!!

Sarah said...

Here's to the lazy bums of the world! You know, frozen pie crust is one of those modern conveniences our great-grandmothers prayed for. Like washing machines and spray starch. Let's be glad we have some short-cuts for those days when we must have a pie, right this minute!

Anonymous said...

Been there, done that. Nothing to be ashamed of! I'm totally a shortcut person, and if it tastes as good as made-from-scratch [I'm gonna get torched alive here], why not? :P

Robin said...

Blueberry anything is a ok with me. Looks so delish!

Vicarious Foodie said...

This is my kind of pie. I don't think I could make a good crust if my life depended on it. Don't be ashamed!

test it comm said...

That pie looks so good! I am still having troubles making pie crusts and a store bought one sounds much simpler.

Katie B. said...

Heh, your post makes me smile. Whenever I attempt to make my own crust, I ALWAYS make sure I have a store-bought back up. Nothing is more depressing than a dough you've slaved over not cooperating!! (This coming from a girl that's killed a blueberry pie with a crap crust.)

Sandy said...

I use to be critical of frozen pies and store-bought crusts. Not any more :)
If it tastes good - it's alright w/me!!!:))
Great post, love the pix, I want a bite!

Anonymous said...

The best part of any pie is the filling. And when the filling is so luscious as yours there are no doubts about overall pie deliciousness.

Robin said...

Oh BTW I tagged you, if you want to play see my post.

Anonymous said...

mmmm that looks so crazy delicious, wish I had a piece right now. dang, it is more disturbing to me about how much guilt, shame and horror people are expressing about using a frozen crust. what's wrong with using a shortcut once in a while, especially if you have mostly fresh ingredients and then once there's a big blob of ice cream on top, who really cares? it all still fits within the confines of homemade!

Anonymous said...

Oh please, there should be no shame! Sometimes, we need something quick! And if you give us a big slice of this, we won't tell anyone! ;)

RecipeGirl said...

Hey, we've all used a frozen pie crust at one time or another. Personally I suck at making pie crust. I've made it again and again and can't seem to get the darn stuff right.... ever. This looks darn right yummy- frozen pie crust and all!

Lore said...

Never had kitchen-guilt :)). The pie looks so good...LOVE those berries! I'm not sure if I would take you on that dare, I'd probably lose anyway :D

Emily said...

Your pie looks delectable. I hear that Pillsbury has a pretty good pie crust.

KJ said...

I know how you feel, but life is too short sometimes. I would find it pretty easy to forgive myself if I was sitting in front of a plate of this pie.

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Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

PS..I have passed on a great big bear hug to you if you care to pick it up on my site sometime. Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Leslie said...

Happy belated 4th to you as well!!! And my cupcakes are truly truly evil..and for another reason..the frosting stained my fingers!!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Don't be ashamed! Your pie looks delicious. My pie crust making ability is my cooking weakness. I gotta love Pillsbury:)

Anonymous said...

Love the name of ur pie...forget the guilt and enjoy the pie..it looks decadent!!!

Anonymous said...

hahahahaha its ok, i do that too. at least you took gorgeous photos!

Pam said...

Oh my. This looks amazing. You can make me a a lazy bum pie any time!

Elle said...

I adore blueberry pie--it looks gorgeous! And don't feel badly, I've only made pie crust once and it was a mess. I'm going to try again this week to make a double crust pie. help.

Anonymous said...

no need to be ashamed! i often make pies in frozen crusts - it's all about the filling when it comes to pies anyway!

The Blonde Duck said...

There is nothing shameful about a pie that looks that good.

Jaime said...

your blueberry pie looks amazing! i guess i'm just a sloth most of the time ;)