apple

Pie Porn

After making my first really successful crust at Kate McDermott’s Art of the Pie class, I knew I’d need some practice quickly to reinforce what I’d learned. I sent a message to friends: bring me a pie pan and a few bucks and I’ll make you a pie. I got no shortage of takers.

• 1 comment
• Read more

Art of the Pie

Ask anyone who knows me well and they'll tell you about my pie hang-ups. I think it started when I was about 10 and I made my first pie, I think a cherry with a lattice top. I say I think because I never got to taste that pie. My little bother and I were always fighting, and at 4 he didn't have a grasp (or maybe be did) of how sublimely irritating he could be. When the pie was cooling on the table, he sat next to it - staring at it - until my parents sent me upstairs for fear I would hit him just for breathing all over it.

• 2 comments
• Read more

Curried Apple Orzo Salad

Every family has one of these. You know, dishes that get trotted out anytime there's a picnic or a potluck. Sometimes it involves peas or potatoes, other times mayonnaise. That's what I like so much about this recipe - it's different from all of the usual buffet table fare.

I found this recipe in the food section of the Austin American Statesman when I was in college at UT. It came from Cafe Annie - Robert Del Grande's go-to place in Houston - when Cafe Annie was still relatively young.

• Add new comment
• Read more

Ham, Brie, and Honeycrisp Sandwiches

For lunch during our fall clean-up day in the garden, Todd grilled up a ham steak for sandwiches. He combined that with brie, honey crisp apples, and fresh lettuce, basil, and purslane from the garden. He piled the whole thing on freshly baked bread from Whole Foods (parbaked French bread loaves from LaBrea Bakery, yum!).

• Add new comment