Random Acts of
Pieness
(ARA) - Pie is the ultimate comfort food. Whether your
favorite is traditional apple, summery berry, tangy lemon or rich
chocolate, there's something very all-American about this delicious
treat. And here's a great reason to enjoy your favored flavor --
January 23 is National Pie Day.
In honor of National Pie Day, the American Pie Council (APC) encourages
people from all walks of life to perform random acts of pieness: share a
pie with a loved one, surprise someone with a pie, or do a good deed
with a pie. Here are some ideas for celebrating National Pie Day:
* Buy an extra pie at your local grocery store and give it to the person
behind you in line. Or, hand out pie slices to strangers and encourage
them to do the same for others. It could spread the peace on earth and
goodwill to mankind that we all hope for.
* Indulge your co-workers and bring some pie to work -- you'll create a
lot of good rapport and maybe even get a raise.
* Know someone special who deserves some thanks? What better way to say
thank you than with a warm hug wrapped in a delicious crust?
* Reach out to neighbors you haven't met and bring them some pie to
share while you get to know each other and fill them in on the
neighborhood.
* Invite the "apple pie of your eye" for some pie and get to know each
other better. But make it chocolate -- most Americans believe it's the
most romantic pie according to a survey by Four Points by Sheraton.
Before long, you may be calling each other "sweetie pie."
* Share the love and share favorite memories with family over pie. Spend
extra time with your kids by making pie with them and showing them how
it's done.
* Host a pie potluck and have everyone bring their favorite pie, then
exchange recipes.
* Hold a charity pie-throwing or pie-eating contest or a pie auction.
You can donate the proceeds to your local community food bank.
* Register for the 2007 APC/Crisco National Pie Championships being held
April 20-22 in Orlando, Fla. You can find entry forms at
www.piecouncil.org.
* Perform a random act of pieness on yourself and enjoy your favorite
pie on National Pie Day.
If you have a standby favorite, you're all set. If you're new to
pie-baking, or if you just want to try a new recipe, here are two
award-winning recipes from the 2006 APC/Crisco National Pie
Championships. For more recipes, pie trivia, and information on how to
become an APC member, visit www.piecouncil.org.
Classic Cherry Pie
By Valerie Enters
Pie Crust
2 cups flour
1/2 cup Butter Flavored Crisco shortening
1/4 cup butter
3 teaspoons powdered sugar
1/4 cup ice water
2 teaspoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
Blend Crisco, flour, powdered sugar, butter and salt. Cut flour until it
resembles cornmeal. Beat egg, blend in vinegar and water, sprinkle over
flour mixture. Toss with fork. Chill before rolling. Roll out two pie
shells and place one in a 9-inch pie tin. Reserve the second for top
crust.
Filling
4 cups drained Morello cherries (Trader Joe brand), reserve juice
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons quick cooking Tapioca
Pinch salt
1 1/3 cups juice (reserved from cherries)
Tiny dab of red gel food coloring (Wilton)
Completely mix together all ingredients except cherries. Add cherries
and pour into a pie shell. Cover with top crust and bake at 425 degrees
for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees for 45 minutes or
until golden.
Chocolate Caramel Nut Pie
By Todd Welveart
Pie Crust
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup Butter Flavored Crisco
1/2 pinch of salt
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Chocolate Layer
6 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 pinch of salt
4 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter, diced
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Snickers bar (super sized), thinly sliced, about 1/4-inch thick
Cream Cheese Layer
9 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ounces Macadamia nuts (diced finely, toasted in oven)
Garnish
2 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Pie crust:
Mix flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in Crisco with a pastry
blender. Mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle, and add 3 or 4 ice
cubes to keep water mixture cold. Spray flour mixture lightly with water
solution mix to combine. Repeat just until pie crust comes together. Put
crust in a Ziploc bag and bring together into a circle. Place in
refrigerator for 10 minutes. Pull crust out of the refrigerator and roll
out to pan size. Poke holes in the bottom as well as the sides of the
crust. Bake at 375 degrees for 7 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool
5 minutes.
Chocolate layer:
In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well.
In a double boiler, melt semisweet chocolate and 1/2 cup butter, stir
until smooth. Cool for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, beat sugar, whole egg and
egg white in a medium bowl until slightly thickened. To this mixture,
add vanilla and cooled chocolate. Mix until well blended. Stir in dry
ingredient mixture and mix until just combined. Pour mixture into crust
and bake in a 375 degree oven for about 19 minutes. Cool on rack for 10
minutes. Place candy mixture (sliced Snickers bars) on top.
Cream cheese layer:
In a mixing bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until blended. Add vanilla
extract and beat until smooth. Spread mixture over candy bars, add
Macadamia nuts over cream cheese and bake for 20 minutes, or until set.
Cook on rack.
Garnish:
In a small sauce pan, stir chocolate and whipping cream over low heat
until smooth. Drizzle over pie. Refrigerate and serve chilled.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Recipe and Beverage Ideas
Chocolate
Swizzle Nog
Holiday
Party Punch
Green
Berry Peppermint Punch
Snow
Falling on Cedars Mudslide
Murder
on the Orient Espresso
www.culinary.net
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January Super Bowl Party
Get Ready for the Game! There is no bigger
game to have a party, than Super Bowl, make sure you are ready.
Halftime Party Music
Football Paper Goods
Football Party Items
Football Banners
NFL Fans
Browns Fan Party Kit
Dallas Fan Party Kit
Dolphin Fan Party Kit
Eagle Fan Party Kit
Giants Fan Party Kit
4" Jets Bobble Head
Green Bay Fan Kit
Jets Fan Party Kit
4" Jets Bobble Head
Patriots Fan Party Kit
4" Patriots Bobble Head
Steelers Fan Party Kit
NFL Tablecover
NFL Party Goods
Football Super Bowl
Tailgate Party
Super Bowl XLI
NFL
Plates-Napkins -Cups
Football
Toilet Paper
For the Diehard Fan! If your really a football fan, you will
love this toilet paper in your bathroom on game day.
NFL
Football Pencils
Touchdown! Collect all of your favorite NFL Teams.
Football Pinata
With this 12" football pinata score a touchdown.
Inflatable
13" Footballs
If football is your theme, these inflatable
footballs will make a great favor.
Football
Whistle
Time Out! Have a great time at your football party and make
some noise with this new football whistle on a cord.
Football
Maracas
Make some noise for your favorite team.
4"soft Football
Touchdown! A super favor for the football fan! This 4"
soft football makes a great favor for your NFL party.
Football
Gum Dispenser
Touchdown! Fill this 9" Dispenser with Bubble Gum, Jelly
Beans or Snacks and have a great favor for your Football Party. Gum Balls not included.
Football Banners
More Fun
Football Party Items!
Chinese
New Year Party
Enjoy an Evening in the Orient.
Print Chinese good luck symbols on red and black simple folded notes.
Chinese New Year's Decorations
Asian Cuisine Party Pack
Year Of The Dog Beverage Napkins
Chinatown Guest Towels
Chinatown Lanterns
10 in. Asian Accordion Lanterns
10" Floral Fans
Cocktail Umbrellas
Chinatown Dragon
Add to your Oriental decorations with 13"x 16" foil dragon. Hang from
the ceiling to enhance your decor.
Chinatown Dragon
Complete your Chinatown theme with this brightly colored 29" x 8.5"
Paper Dragon
Chinatown Parasol Fan
Asian Cutouts
Chinatown Banner
Red Satin Mandarin Hat
Yellow Oriental Straw Hat
Asian Beauty Costume
Asian Theme Invitations
Touch of the Orient
Choose this bright white invitation card designed with contrasting
claret and white flowers.
Asian Grandeur
A shimmering red card ensemble presents the Chinese symbol of your
choice.
Dazzling Depiction
A perfect invitation giving you an oriental flare.
Asian Cuisine Invitations |
