Happy Part Three of Weekly Food Fun – Thanksgiving Pies

The Food Fun Thanksgiving Finale is pies.
I may be full after dinner, but I have to have pie, with lots of whipped cream.  So, after all of the preparations, days of cooking, I crash on the couch and take a nap.

My pie adventure and planning starts in September and October when different varieties of apples and pumpkins ripen.  I process and freeze them ready for any time we want pie.  I have become confident in the last few years in making my own pie crusts, it is a time consuming process, yet fun.  My son enjoys rolling out the dough and helping which makes it even better.  Going along with this I make my own lard, it really does make a pie crust nice and flaky.

Pie Crust –
Paula’s Perfect Pie Crust  The changes I make on this is to replace vegetable shortening for lard. In preparation I measure the lard and butter (unsalted) cut into chunks then put it in the freezer for 15 min so it is really cold, but not frozen. Then follow the instructions.  This recipe makes two 9″ pie crusts.

Apple Pie –
Paula’s Apple Pie Filling  I do follow this recipe although maybe add more cinnamon depending on how coated the apples look once I mix them.

Pecan Pie –
Mom’s Pecan Pie from Southern Living.  I actually don’t change this one at all.  Southern Living also has tips on Perfecting Pecan Pie that I found helpful for my first time making it.  I always thought there was more to this pie, although it is a simple recipe.

Pumpkin Pie –
Pumpkin Pie courtesy Food Network Kitchens. The only changes on this recipe are using fresh pumpkin, I use the same amount.  And adding more spices, I like extra pumpkin pie spice and I add a sprinkle of Cardamom if I have it.  The spices in the recipe are the combination that make up pumpkin pie spice, so if you don’t have them all separate use 2-3 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice.

Happy Thanksgiving! And Always Enjoy The Fun of Food!