Pie Number Nine - Barbara Frietchie Pie

The Year of Pie

Pie #9 - Barbara Frietchie Pie

    Who is Barbara Frietchie? What I learned about Barbara Frietchie (Frietchie), December 3, 1776 - December 18, 1862, is that she lived in Frederick, Maryland in 1862. Frietchie, also known as Barbara Fritchie and Barbara Frietschie, is the subject of a poem "Barbara Frietchie" by John Greenleaf Whittier. Frietchie is alleged to have shaken a Union flag and hurled insults at Confederate troops who were marching through Frederick. There are conflicting stories, but it is said that she did at least wave a Union flag at and cheered for Union General Ambrose Burnside's troops as they marched through. 

    I've seen other blog posts/articles on versions of this pie and it seems that mine did not turn out like some of those. For example, while the flavor sounds like it was the same, mine did not turn out to have two layers. Mine turned out thin and with a chewy consistency. It was a bit hard to cut with it destroying some of the pie crust edge, but that didn't matter, because overall, I really liked it. Served very, cold like the recipe suggested, it was delicious and surprisingly not oversweet. I would definitely make this again.

    The recipe I used comes from 250 Superb Pies And Pastries, published in 1950 by the Culinary Arts Institute and in fact, the black & white photo of the pie, does show what looks like two layers. 

Ingredients:

1 - 9 inch pie crust

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream or evaporated milk (I used what I had, which was heavy whipping cream)

2 egg yolks (beaten)

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 eggs whites (beaten) 

Sprinkle of nutmeg

Whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

Prepare pie crust and line a 9-inch pan with crust. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Cook the sugar, brown sugar, cream/milk, egg yolks and butter in the top of a double boiler if you have one (I used a regular pan and heated on medium-low heat) until thickened. I forgot the "until thickened" part and cooked until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, salt and egg whites. Pour into pie shell and sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 425 degrees for  ten minutes, then reduce temperature to 300 degrees and bake for forty-five more minutes. Generally if you insert a knife in the center and it comes out clean, you're done. Cool on a rack. Once cool, place in the refrigerator and serve very, cold with a dollop of whipped cream. Serves between six and eight slices.  

Barbara Frietchie Pie

Slice of Barbara Frietchie Pie

Banana Bread

 Banana Bread

    I made banana bread for a work team meeting recently and was so happy that my coworkers really enjoyed it.  This recipe comes from my favorite cookbook The Pillsbury Family Cook Book, published in 1963 and my copy is a 1970 sixth printing.  This bread came out so nice and moist. I made two recipes and got two beautiful loaves. 

  Ingredients:

2 cups sifted all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup softened butter or shortening (Ooops. I'm writing this a couple weeks after baking this and can't remember if I used butter or shortening)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup (2 medium sized mashed bananas)

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar (I used vinegar)

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

Sift flour with the soda and salt into a medium bowl. In a separate bowl cream butter/shortening and gradually add the sugar, creaming well. Blend in eggs and banana. Combine thoroughly and add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end the dry ingredients, blending well after each addition. Stir in nuts and chips if desired. Grease the bottom of a 9x5x3 loaf pan. Pour in batter and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. You'll want the bread to spring back when lightly touched in the center. Run a butter knife around the edges of the pan loosen the bread. Sit the pan on a baking rack to cool and remove from pan after the bread has cooled. 

Beautiful Banana Bread

Beautiful Banana Bread

Pie Number Eight - Chocolate Crested Coconut Pie

 The Year of Pie

Pie #8 - Chocolate Crested Coconut Pie

    I'm back! It's been another few weeks which have been bonkers and I haven't been baking pies. I've made cookies, banana bread and I've made a simple hamburger gravy, but I haven't made pie. I did try a Cream Pie, but it was such a failure, that I'm not even going to write about it.  This custard pie however turned out pretty good. I made it a about three weeks ago and it was yummy. The recipe comes from Parade - 50 Favorite Desserts.  I can't find an exact publication for this small recipe booklet, but from experience, my best guess is that it was published in the early/mid 1960s.  It was pretty simple to make, so try it out. Especially if you like coconut. 

Ingredients:

4 eggs slightly beaten

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flaked coconut

2 tablespoons sugar

1 square, melted unsweetened chocolate 

2 tablespoons hot water

1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare your pie crust and set aside. Combine the first six ingredients (eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, salt, milk, vanilla and coconut). Set your pie pan on your oven rack and slowly pour your coconut mixture into the pan. Gently slide the shelf into the oven. I stupidly filled the pie shell at my counter and proceeded to make the biggest, fattest mess. I had to cool and clean the oven and start over a few days later. The second try turned out good. Bake for 30 minutes or until the custard is set; while the pie is baking, combine the 2 tablespoons sugar and melted chocolate. Gradually stir in the hot water. At the end of the 30 minute baking time, remove the pan and pour the chocolate evenly over top (this was difficult for me to spread out, so I chose to do a drizzle design instead and I liked how it turned out).  Turn your oven to 300 degrees and bake  an additional 7 to 10 minutes. If you like, garnish with additional flaked coconut. 

Chocolate Crested Coconut Pie

Chocolate Crested Coconut Pie