Sunday
Sep282008
American Pie: Recipe for a Quick Fix
Sunday, September 28, 2008 
Apple pie is an enduring symbol of America. Why? Well, there are more reasons than we can go into right now--but if you're curious, we highly recommend Apple Pie: An American Story by John T. Edge.
But what happens when apples are scarce or prohibitively expensive, as during the rations of World War II?
You do another all-American thing: find a quick fix! During those war years, that fix was making a mock "apple" pie filled with a slurry of (inexpensive) Ritz crackers, sugar syrup and lemon rind. Ready to throw up in your mouth a little? Well, hold it in, because while not as good as "real" apple pie, it's strangely passable if you close your eyes and think really hard about apples while chewing.And when we made this pie recently, we decided to go a little further on the mock concept. In celebration of what seems to be a New England-centered (or does it perhaps root from the Midwest?) preference for eating pie with a wedge of sharp cheddar, we made our mock pie using cheese-sandwich Ritz crackers. Here's a shot of it in progress (before adding the sugar syrup and top crust):
So how did this concoction taste?
Well. It smelled amazing while baking and once out of the oven. The crust was tantalizing. Taste-wise, however, this regional specialty didn't really translate to the chemical counterpart. The cheese remained somewhat gravelly in texture and didn't really ooze throughout the way we'd hoped; instead, it remained in grainy, salty, cheesy deposits which acted more like landmines than sweet surprises on the palate.
Of course, perhaps the most insulting part of this story is that living in Washington state, we're currently experiencing a bounty of delicious (real) apples--and next time we'll try to remember the saying of another great american icon Marvin Gaye, "Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby". Because friends don't let friends eat fake pie.
Ritz Mock Apple Pie (from backofthebox.com)
The classic pie, featuring Ritz crackers baked in a golden crust,
is perfect for the holidays.
Pastry for two-crust 9-inch pie
36 RITZ Crackers, coarsely broken (about 1 3/4 cups crumbs) --we used the mini cheese-filled sandwich crackers
1 3/4 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Grated peel of one lemon
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1. Roll out half the pastry and line a 9-inch pie plate. Place
cracker crumbs in prepared crust; set aside.
2. Heat water, sugar and cream of tartar to a boil in saucepan
over high heat; simmer for 15 minutes. Add lemon juice and peel;
cool.
3. Pour syrup over cracker crumbs. Dot with margarine or butter;
sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll out remaining pastry; place over pie.
Trim, seal and flute edges. Slit top crust to allow steam to escape.
4. Bake at 425 F for 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is crisp
and golden. Cool completely.
Makes 10 servings
Preparation Time: 45 mins.
Cook Time: 30 mins.
Cooling Time: 3 hrs.
Total Time: 4 hrs. 15 mins.
Ritz Mock Apple Pie (from backofthebox.com)
The classic pie, featuring Ritz crackers baked in a golden crust,
is perfect for the holidays.
Pastry for two-crust 9-inch pie
36 RITZ Crackers, coarsely broken (about 1 3/4 cups crumbs) --we used the mini cheese-filled sandwich crackers
1 3/4 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Grated peel of one lemon
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1. Roll out half the pastry and line a 9-inch pie plate. Place
cracker crumbs in prepared crust; set aside.
2. Heat water, sugar and cream of tartar to a boil in saucepan
over high heat; simmer for 15 minutes. Add lemon juice and peel;
cool.
3. Pour syrup over cracker crumbs. Dot with margarine or butter;
sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll out remaining pastry; place over pie.
Trim, seal and flute edges. Slit top crust to allow steam to escape.
4. Bake at 425 F for 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is crisp
and golden. Cool completely.
Makes 10 servings
Preparation Time: 45 mins.
Cook Time: 30 mins.
Cooling Time: 3 hrs.
Total Time: 4 hrs. 15 mins.
addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='cakespy';
Reader Comments (9)
Just like the late Che, this clutch will absolutely provide a rebellious appeal to your ensembles. This Giuseppe Zanotti Che-Embellished Suede Clutch wouldve actually been just a straightforward clutch made from classic black suede material if not for the multicolored crystal embellishments within the front flap, which absolutely sets that rebellious seem to this purse and at the same time seeing as its overall luxe appeal. The very crystals arrive in a shape of Ches legendary photograph, total with his facial facts.replica franck muller watches
This Valentino Rouched Petal Zip Satchel comes in grey color, which, though sort of dull, can be a incredibly versatile shade that can balance your each and every seem from this season on for the next. Should you love Valentinos ruffle or rosette designs, youd surely love this bag design too since it shows raised ruffle detail on the very total front with rose petal at the very bottom left. This indeed looks completely appealing and incredibly fashionable; as well as the excellent thing about it is that even though the very detail sort of looks flashy, at least the very shade manages to make this total replica handbags seem refined.replica bvlgari watches
I love apple pie because everyone eats it since you were very young. This is a traditional and we all should know what this dessert means. For example, last night I read an article about the new viagra online site selling aphrodisiac apple pies. It's every where in the culture of the US.
With the development of tecnology and economy, more and more people tend to pay more attention to their body. They want to have better shape and healthier body. Here, I will introduce a good program to you—p90x price. from America.p90x price is classic training DVD which covers all manner of fitness methods. It include 13 p90x price and beachbody complete training for 90 days. Please image that you will hve your dreamed body and shape in 90 days.There are also many other fasion sports included in p90x. they are waiting for you to find.
How can you learning languages without Rosetta Stone Spanish dvd. Here, I am not point the real stone in British Museum. The real rosetta stone is a stone that has Greek, Egyptian script and the words popular during that time.
If you want to learn another language to improve yourself, you can choose this useful software
Rosetta Stone Spanish dvd to enhance your level of languages.
3ch mini helicopter
repair upgrade parts
cars trucks
rc planes
helicopters parts
An excenlent watch can make you feel good, and that may improve your grade. A successfui businessman must have one kind of
watch to show his special quality. for a lady the watch also can attract many eyes. that is a amazing feeling for owning a
watch. these watches are selected for all kinds of people. you can get your favorite watch freely.
replica watches
rolex air king
Tag Heuer watches
bvlgari watches
Rolex DateJust
Burberry watches
rolex watches
bell ross watches
ferrari watches
Patek Philippe watches
panerai watches
rolex submariner
Breguet watches
chopard watches
hublot watches
U boat watches
watches