Apple Pie? Yes, Please.

I know, I know... more pie?  HECK YES!  Fall is time for pie... and stew... and biscuits! But, back to the pie.

Next to Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie was always a sure-fire sign that fall was upon us in my home growing up.  Crusty pastry, tasty and tart baked apples, topped with cream or maple syrup... *sigh*  Perfection.  I used the same pastry recipe that I used for the Pumpkin Pie but doubled it.  I like a top AND a bottom on my Apple Pie, don't you?  Obviously, instead of pumpkin I used apples for the filling in this pie.  You can take a lot of different approaches to apple pie filling but I like to keep it simple and let the apples speak for themselves: they have a lot to say!

Apple Pie Filling (for one 9" pie)
6 or 7 apples of your choice (I like to use Macintosh apples, but go wild!)
1/2 cup of sugar (brown or white)
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
dash of salt

Peel the apples and slice, thinly.  In a large bowl, combine the apple slices, sugar, and spices.  Toss until apples are well coated.

Place the filling in a prepared pie crust (bottom... obviously) and cover with your second crust.**  Poke a few holes in the top crust, brush LIGHTLY with soy/almond/rice milk and sprinkle sugar on top.  Pop in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes at 350F.  Eat.  Enjoy.

Apple Pie: Mmm, Mmm, Good

 

 

 

 

Top Crust:  Unusual? Yes.  Delicious? Of course!

**I had trouble rolling out this pie pastry so, instead, I used cookie cutters and laid some lovely scallopped-circle cutouts on top of my pie!  Turned out great and looked really lovely!

Before signing out, I wanted to let you all know that we now have a Twitter account so feel free to sing us some sweet, sweet melodies via Twitter!  (@RabbitandBumble)

Soak in this glorious fall weather!  Until next time,

Ms. Bumble xx

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Vegan + Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie!

Fall is here,
Let's all cheer!
....
That's as far as I got with my little poem.  Good, right?  It's OK.  We all have our strengths and poetry is decidedly not one of mine.  Baking, on the other hand....

So, in honour of my bake-ability I would like to share with you one of my best friends in all the world, Pumpkin Pie.  As someone with food sensitivities, allergies, and moral "issues", pie is sometimes hard to come by.  Even if the filling isn't loaded with vegan-no-nos, the crust is almost always wheat based.  Le sigh.  This year, I couldn't take it any longer and had to figure out a delicious pie recipe that I could make without too much fuss!

Roasted Sugar Pumpkin, fresh out of the oven

Easy as Pie Crust *wink*

1/2 cup earth balance margarine, softened
1 1/2 cups rice flour (I used brown, you could use white if you want!)
3 - 4 tbsp of cold water

Cut the "butter" into the flour until you have a coarse crumb.  If you have a food processor, you can do this much more quickly by pulsing the mixture a few times and then dumping the crumb back into a large mixing bowl.  Add the cold water one tablespoon at a time and use your hands to mix and form a ball.  It should hold together well and should not be sticky to the touch.  Put the crust into your pie pan and press it out as desired. Poke a bunch of holes into the bottom of the crust with a fork.  Bake at 400F for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and add the pie filling.

My gorgeous pie alongside some of my favorite fall-inspiring
pottery (Thanks, Grandma!)

Pumpkin Pie Filling

1/2 large Sugar Pumpkin, roasted and blended (approx. 15 oz)
1 cup soy/rice/almond/coconut milk (I suspect that coconut milk would be EPIC.)
3/4 cup sugar (white or brown; brown is better, in my humble opinion)
1/4 cup starch (I used Arrowroot but I think corn starch or tapioca starch would work well also)
1 tsp vanilla (or two... *wink*)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1 tsp ground ginger

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl (or mixer) and thoroughly combine.  The filling should be smooth and thick.  If it seems much too thin (it should be about the consistency of pudding, maybe a little thinner) you can add one tablespoon of starch at a time until you are happy with it!

"I'm ready for my close up, Ms. Bumble," said the pie.... never.

Pour the filling into the pre-baked pie crust and return to the oven at 425F for 15 minutes.  Turn down the heat to 350F and bake for another 45 minutes or so.  You want a knife or toothpick inserted in the centre of the pie to come out relatively dry.  Remove the pie from the oven and cool, then place it in the fridge for a minimum of half an hour or until ready to serve!  You could top it with a traditional whipped cream (there are some great coconut milk whipped cream recipes out there... I'll whip one up for you soon!), with a chocolate sauce, or with maple syrup.  Eaten hot or cold, this pie turned out perfectly.  In fact... I think I'll go have a slice now!

Crispy, flaky crust.  Creamy, spicy filling.
What more could a girl ask for?

Until next time,
Happy Baking
-- Ms. Bumble xx

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