Easier Apple Pie!

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Ok! I've done it! Easy as apple pie, apple pie!

I remade my apple pies, learning from flubs on my previous attempt. Still not the perfect apple pie of my dreams, but it's an improvement.

I mixed 2 diced/cored apples in a saucepan with cinnamon/sugar, dash of nutmeg, 1 tablespoon of agave nectar, and 1/4c water. I let it simmer about 10 minutes until the apples were slightly soft. Much better liquid content!



I skipped lining my pot with pastry, and directly filled my pots 2/3 full with the apple filling. I'm serving them directly from the pots, so I don't need a pastry base.



I pureed the remaining mixture into apple sauce.



I had only a small amount of pastry left, so I couldn't make a full topper. I made strips for a pseudo lattice. Baked in 350F oven for about 30 minutes.



Verdict for round 2? Apple pie that is easy as apple pie!

Now I'm unhappy with the presentation. But I'm tired of apple pie, so it may be a while before I make another round. I'm moving on to an apple/walnut cake today, using the leftover apple sauce.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

4A-HEALTHY-BMI 11/3/2011 6:07PM

Now you've got the basic algorithm for fruit pie filling. Works with almost every kind of input, although you might want to adjust the sugar and acidity. You can program a wrapper around it to change the presentation. Besides the pastry crusts you've experimented with, you can also do these: A crisp is even easier. Same prep except the crust is a combination of oatmeal, cinnamon, sugar, butter, stuff like that. And a cobbler is pretty easy. Just make drop biscuit mix and spread it on top. Comment edited on: 11/4/2011 12:14:16 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

SNOWHIT 11/3/2011 12:03PM

They look great! Skipping the bottom pastry is a nice touch. Report Inappropriate Comment

JOAN_HEO 11/3/2011 9:30AM

Oh YUMMMM!! They look good enough to eat! I swear I can smell them from the photos! Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTY99 11/2/2011 9:07PM

Way to go! Don't let it beat you. Pat Report Inappropriate Comment

CHEFSOPHIE 11/2/2011 6:23PM

That looks and sounds great. I sometimes throw dried cranberries of dried cherries into my apple pies this time of year. Report Inappropriate Comment

FITGIRL15 11/2/2011 4:59PM

Nom Nom! Looks amazing! Report Inappropriate Comment

NAYPOOIE 11/2/2011 4:23PM

There ya go! Report Inappropriate Comment

Easy as Apple Pie?

Monday, October 31, 2011

"Easy as Apple Pie."

I have apples that need to be used up quickly. I decided to try my hand at apple pie. I've never made apple pie before, but the saying convinced me that I should try it. Because it's easy.

I first peeled, cored and diced apples. Some people don't like cooking because of the prep work. I love it. I use it as a time to self reflect. Introspect. Soul searching. While I cored and diced my apples, I came to peace with my recent situation with job loss and failure to land a new job.

I mixed 2 tablespoons of cinnamon/sugar blend, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, and a tablespoon of melted butter with the diced apples.



Difficulty: Easy

Next I took a roll of pastry dough. Yeah, I totally did NOT do this by scratch. I have a handicap when it comes to baking anyway. Really no need to push the envelope at this time. If this whole process with premade pastry is easy, then next time I can tackle from scratch.



Difficulty: Very easy.

Remember my cute little baking pots? They're back! I placed the dough inside my baking dishes. It took me a minute to figure out how to get the dough to line the pots. I figured out the secret is to cut it into a circle, then cut triangles in four corners. This allowed me to fold it into a cylinder inside the pot. I lined the pot and poked holes into it. I blind baked at 350F for 20 minutes.



Difficulty: Moderate. Figuring out how to line the pot with pastry took a minute of trial and error.

I planned to make a lattice to go on top of my single serve apple pies. I thought it would look nice. I read online how to make a lattice top, and I cut strips from leftover dough.



Difficulty: Easy. My carving knife was the perfect length to cut straight strips.

Fiance was sniping bits of apple and eating them with walnuts. They were delicious. He had the idea to add toasted walnuts. I sauted crushed walnuts in butter.



Difficulty: Easy.

When I took the pots out of the oven, I discovered the pastry shrunk. Arg. I just tacked in extra pastry on the edges where the pastry shrunk. I filled the pot with apple bits. I should have diced the apple even smaller. Topped with the walnuts.



Difficulty: Hard. I didn't know the pastry would shrink in the blind baking. Apple chunks were too big for my little pots. I could have packed more apples in with smaller dice.

Then I attempted the lattice. I read that you just keep making crisscrosses, and you get the awesome lattice. Well, I got 3 or 4 rows, then I got lost. Umm. Need more practice.



Difficulty: Hard. I need video to demonstrate. I didn't catch on to the pattern.

I gave up, and just made a flat top to cover the apple filling.



Difficulty: Easy. Just roll a flat pastry, use a ramekin to cut a circle, put it on top, and poke holes.

Baked for 35 minutes. I made dinner while they baked, until the tops were lightly browned.



Difficulty: Easy. They were ready to cool by the time dinner was ready to eat.

The verdict: My pie filling was too dry. I forgot to add moisture so the apple chunks would float in a yummy apple filling. I used way too much pastry. It was unnecessary to line the dish all the way with pastry. Just a pastry top would have been enough, since the idea was to serve it in the pot.

Easy as Apple Pie? Where did this saying come from? Was it meant to be ironic? And I didn't even make the pastry from scratch!

Easy compared to what? Easier than churning butter?!

I will try it again so I can correct my mistakes. But I'm definitely busting this saying as 'bunk'. Unless it is meant to mean it's not really easy. From my experience, saying 'easy as apple pie' means something moderately challenging and time consuming that may be easy with practice and skill!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BLACK-SWAN 11/3/2011 10:59AM

I just cut up the apples, mix in with cinnamon and a hint of sugar, a dab of butter and a pinch or two of flour, mix and throw it in the microwave. EAsy. Report Inappropriate Comment

VHALKYRIE 11/1/2011 4:28PM

I made a filling on the stove with diced apples, water, and just a little sugar. It came out with a consistency much closer to what I was expecting. Baking the apples in the pot the way I was doing it wasn't going to work, probably because of the small scale. Thanks for the tips! I'll post what I changed tomorrow. It's much easier! Comment edited on: 11/1/2011 4:40:20 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

FITGIRL15 11/1/2011 12:19PM

I think the saying is "Easy as PIE" Pie is easy to make, I've seen my mom make some delicious pies... And all it takes is fruit, sugar and dough! Mmmm... but I agree... all of the ingredients are carby. I can't see pie fitting itno a low-carb diet... Unless you try making meat pie without crust! LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

THECRAZYMANGO 11/1/2011 10:38AM

Thank you for sharing your experience with photos - I really enjoyed it! I believe pie making was easier in the "olden" days when they did it all the time. Nowadays, since we don't do it all the time, so we don't have everyday to practice, tends to be a bit more difficult. Did you follow a recipe? Might not be a bad idea for the filling! Better time next time! Report Inappropriate Comment

MYLADY4 11/1/2011 10:25AM

You could add a little applesauce (no added sugar). That would make it a little more juicier. Great first attempt. Report Inappropriate Comment

SNOWHIT 11/1/2011 9:55AM

I love the idea of the individual pies. I just canned a bunch of apples in apple juice with the idea that they will become pies or crisp someday. I'll have to remember this approach. Maybe you could cook the apples a bit in advance to get them to release their juice. As they soften, they'll also take up less space. Report Inappropriate Comment

VHALKYRIE 11/1/2011 8:29AM

I've got another idea. Why can't you use apple juice for the liquid? We liked the flavor of the apples and cinnamon as it was. I also liked that the apples were a little firm. It was just too dry. I'll try adding a little liquid mix to it. I've got apples left to use up, so I can try either today or tomorrow. Comment edited on: 11/1/2011 8:38:02 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

ANDYLIN90 10/31/2011 11:33PM

I'm not a baker either, but your finished product looked delicious! Report Inappropriate Comment

BTVMADS 10/31/2011 10:14PM

You definitely need to sugar the apples and let them macerate in a strainer/colander for a while. This not only gets the apples softer, but it also keeps you from cutting into the pie only to discover an inch-wide gap between the crust and filling. I know it doesn't really fit into the low-carb life style, but, well... that's why most folks on low carb don't eat pie. Report Inappropriate Comment

VHALKYRIE 10/31/2011 9:05PM

Is it the sugar? Arg. I was trying to make a low sugar pie. I find most commercial apple pies and recipes to be sickeningly sweet. Not to mention the low carb thing. There must be another way. Comment edited on: 10/31/2011 9:17:53 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

NAYPOOIE 10/31/2011 7:46PM

maybe you didn't put enough sugar on them to draw out the water? we also slice our apples, so there's more surface area. In any case, my biggest problem is getting cinnamon and sugar levels right. for some reason, I just can't taste it and tell how it will be when it's cooked. Report Inappropriate Comment

VHALKYRIE 10/31/2011 7:08PM

I have a baking disability. I can't help it. Maybe my apples were too old and dry? Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTY99 10/31/2011 6:51PM

You made me chuckle reading this-I have never pre-backed the liner on a fruit pie, just put it into the pie pan, added the filling and a topper and baked! However, it was quite interesting to read your blog and how you attacked this. Normally the apples make juice with the sugar and I add tapioca to get it to thicken, but again, I make a big pie so adjustments might be needed in a smaller version. Anyhow, I hope next time it is Easy As Apple Pie!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NAYPOOIE 10/31/2011 6:47PM

maybe they mean easy as eating apple pie. not sure why your filling was dry. I usually find that the apples shed juice, so that you have to scoop it into the pie when you add apples. Report Inappropriate Comment

Rebooting Exercise Routine

Sunday, October 30, 2011

For about 3 months, I've been just darn lazy about exercise. I've been keeping up my paleo-ish diet. I've continued to eat protein and veg, and I've definitely lost weight. I was shocked to discover I keep shrinking, despite what would normally be construed bad habits. Like lack of exercise.

I'm actually not super disciplined about the low carb, either. I've eaten bread and pasta in the past couple of weeks. I ate an apple pie tonight. However, I'm a lot more controlled about it. I don't eat a lot of it. I eat dessert one day a week, if that. It's a treat, like it's supposed to be. Bread, pasta, rice and potatoes occasionally also isn't a problem. I don't work them into every meal, like I used to.

I don't count calories, fat, carbs or protein. My hunger switches have reset. I eat when I'm hungry. I stop when I'm full. I rarely ever get cravings, and never out of control binges anymore. My plate is always packed with protein and veg. Anything else is a side item, on occasion. I find it practically impossible to overeat anymore. My appetite completely flips off when I've had enough. The concept of cleaning off my plate is just about impossible now - I'll feel physically ill if I try to stuff it down.

Portion control is no longer a contest of wills. I have noticed that my appetite naturally stops at appropriate portions. I used to have to carefully weigh 4oz of protein so I knew when to stop. I could eat 12oz or more in a sitting. I've notice that I naturally stop at 4-6oz now. That's just where my 'I'm full' switch flips. Eating 12oz would make me feel very ill. Even 8oz makes me feel I've overdone it. I haven't used my food scale in months.

My dad has lost 10 lbs in 4 weeks on a lower carb diet too. The numbers on his diabetes are also improving. Looks like he might yet be able to taper off some meds, if things keep going. Pretty awesome for a guy in his 70s with limited mobility. I'm so proud of him.

My bodyfat is right about 25%. Though I've been shrinking size, I sure still feel pretty flabby. When I look in the mirror, I don't see a smaller me. All I see are the flaws. I really should take some more pictures so I can compare the improvement.

Now that I am on 'hiatus', I plan to keep a routine schedule. I'm going to make an effort to get back to morning exercise. I also plan to join the spinning, yoga, and pilates classes I was never able to work into my schedule.

If I've lost this much weight just by eating mostly paleo, I'm really interested to see how increased exercise will change the mix.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NAYPOOIE 11/1/2011 11:53AM

that's one nice thing about low carb. you can lose fat while holding muscle. Report Inappropriate Comment

VHALKYRIE 11/1/2011 10:50AM

Believe it or not, I haven't lost muscle. I've been keeping track of my bodyfat. My bodyfat has been declining, but muscle has been roughly holding steady. Not gaining, but not losing, either. Report Inappropriate Comment

ARCHIMEDESII 11/1/2011 10:05AM

When it comes to weight loss, what matters most is what we eat. Nutrition is 80% of the weight loss equation. What would have happened if you added exercise ? You probably would have lost some more inches. you would have noticed some more "definition" to your muscles and a little less jiggle. And you would have seen an increase in overall strength and endurance. The thing to worry about is how much lean muscle you might have lost due to your lack of strength training and exercise. Now, it wouldn't have been anything noticeable. BUT, you don't want to let this become a habit. You must do your best to engage in regular weight bearing exercise so that you don't lose lean muscle as a result of dieting alone. Because a person can lose weight without exercising. However, we don't want to neglect exercise because it is an important part of our long term health. So, don't forget to add some strength training if you want the jiggle to go away. Comment edited on: 11/1/2011 10:06:51 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

SNOWHIT 10/31/2011 2:48PM

Congrats on your success on the diet. Since I'd been off SP for a while, I caught up on your progress when I cam back on. Your pics are awesome! I was impressed and influenced. I'm not eating paleo, but I'm very consciously trying to increase protein. I'd been dating a vegetarian for 3 years and had gone veg/carb heavy. Good luck with your workouts. That's the area where I enjoy working the most. Probably diet is most important for weight, but exercise can be great for your mood. Report Inappropriate Comment

Acceptance

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Today was a day of acceptance. When I think back on all that has happened, I realized that I was blinded by my 'dream'. On paper, this job was perfect for me. It was as though they took my resume and made a job description out of it.

The job may have been perfect, but the environment would not have been. There were numerous signs of trouble with this one guy. After my first phone interview with him, I did not have a positive feeling. Something struck me odd about it. I almost thought about withdrawing my application at that time, but I decided to see it through.

I had great interviews with everyone. Except him. When we met in person, the chemistry was all wrong. He was attacking, and I was attempting to diffuse. One point will go down in my history as the most bizarre interview experience. He was behaving badly. It happened so fast, I just reacted, and took control of the situation. My 'manager' voice came out. He was cutting me off, and I very calmly, but firmly, told him to hear me out. He came across as a someone who was not used to being challenged. He tried several times to provoke me, but he was the one that came unhinged.

I walked away from all the other interviews feeling great. That one I walked away thinking maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I walked out of the building not so sure about if I wanted it as I had earlier that morning.

But I did want it. So I talked myself into it. I wanted it so badly, I convinced myself that it was all just to see how I would handle disagreements. Except I failed to remember that interviews are sales pitches on what it would be like to work there. They were selling me conflict with an out of control genius.

Today I went out grocery shopping. I bought some things that I wanted to make today and this week. While I was shopping, I had some time for things to digest in my mind.

While chopping apples for my apple pie, I came to acceptance. It was a blessing that I didn't get it. It would have been a nightmare working with him, and I would have gone through a lot of trouble and expense to get there in a cross country move. I was blinded by how badly I wanted this opportunity. This was not my dream after all.

As I continued to chop apples, I started formulating action plans in my mind on what I could do next. I came to see it as an opportunity to reboot my skills. Given that technology is such a fast changing field, and old skills become obsolete quickly, this is a great chance to get up to date on new skills. Maybe a shot at a 'dream' job was an old dream. Maybe I am a different person now, and my dreams are different, too.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BILL60 10/31/2011 7:31AM

Hang in there. Your ideal job will come. Report Inappropriate Comment

VHALKYRIE 10/30/2011 3:44PM

Still working on the pie! I will try to have a pie blog tomorrow. Report Inappropriate Comment

MYLADY4 10/30/2011 3:42PM

Dream job or dream enviroment? If you are lucky you can find both , if not, I take a great enviroment over dream job. It is just not worth being miserable where you work even if you are doing what you dreamed of doing. How'd the pie turn out? Report Inappropriate Comment

1HUMMINGBIRD2 10/30/2011 3:32PM

Good for you! Stay encouraged, door closes, window open! Report Inappropriate Comment

MRS.CARLY 10/30/2011 3:23PM

I think you are right...I do believe it is a blessing that you didn't get it. I have worked at jobs that seemed like a good match for me but when I got there, my co workers were horrible, managment didn't manage, and it was just overall a bad match. Something will come along that is perfect for you Report Inappropriate Comment

WOUBBIE 10/30/2011 3:17PM

Very astute. A job is much more than the title and the duties. It's surprising how many jobs seem ideal on paper and then turn out to be toxic. Report Inappropriate Comment

New Reality

Saturday, October 29, 2011

This morning started off ok. I was feeling pretty ok with things. I started organizing my details. Fortunately, I didn't have to do a lot of work to update my resume.

I did a brief search for jobs. I saved a couple and emailed others to myself. If I have to submit 3 resumes a week for unemployment benefits, then I am queuing things up.

But I started to get depressed. As I was looking at the jobs available, it was just so hard to see any that I was super excited about. Some were ok. Others I feared would actually degrade my skill set.

I guess this is one of the side effects of shooting for the moon. I was so excited about trying for my 'dream job'. I was so close. And I missed. Now it seems that everything pales in comparison.

I was so excited about it, and I gave everything I got. I really wanted to wow them. Except I vastly underestimated the environment. I tried to gauge from the manager how receptive the rest of the team was to someone like me. He assured me they were all enthusiastic. But the atmosphere was quite different. They weren't as excited to meet me, as I was them. They seemed skeptical and concerned about what I would be doing. They didn't seem quite convinced my role was necessary - bad sign. One of them seemed downright insecure and threatened, which took me by surprise. I guess I was doomed from the start. I wasn't trying to show them I was 'better' than them. I was trying to show I was equal to them. I was trying to sell them on a cooperative approach. I got resistance, which I was unprepared for. This job market is definitely employers' advantage. They can afford to be picky.

In no way am I saying that I shouldn't have tried for it. I think a lot of people are afraid to try for difficult things because they might fail, and be disappointed. I know a lot of people, unfortunately, who try to 'protect' their children or loved ones from trying hard tasks or goals, because they might get crushed when they don't get it.

Yes, I am sad. Yes, I am disappointed. But I would have been more sad and disappointed if I had never tried at all. I have tried and failed at many things in my life. Isn't the first or last thing that I will try, and fail at. But if I don't try, I'll never know what is possible.

My fiance and I ended up getting into a fight because I wasn't quite all 'here'. I told him I'm dealing with losing an old job. No matter how unhappy I was with my job, the loss is still rather emotional. I was treated rather harshly by upper management in the process. Then in the same swift moment, I tried for an opportunity that could have been my dream job, and I lost that too. I was holding it together, by staying positive, looking at the bright side.

Psychologists say job loss is emotionally traumatic similarly to a death. My fiance mistook me holding things together as 'everything is alright'. Well, everything isn't quite alright. I was just starting the process of transitioning to the 'new' reality. It's going to take time.

And so, he pushed a little too far, and it all came pouring out. I couldn't deal with his issues on top of the other things I was already dealing with, and I lost it. He later apologized.

So now I am feeling a little less emotionally certain than I was earlier in the day. This has all happened so fast, which makes it also rather overwhelming to digest. I still have to get comfortable with this new reality.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CTTAGENT 11/2/2011 10:31AM

Sorry about the job. Words are things that can definitely be perceived differently between men and women. I fully understand you 'holding things together'... with basted seams. The loss of those seams for a bit probably was needed for you to release, but for him to understand a little bit of what you are feeling also. Report Inappropriate Comment

MYLADY4 10/30/2011 1:27PM

Hang in there. It is normal to feel what you are feeling and now you have the tools to not eat bad foods to deal with this. Good luck Report Inappropriate Comment

KAYOTIC 10/30/2011 11:44AM

You are so right about the loss of a job being a high stressor....and you do need to take some time to process, think of the stages of grief, this is a loss you will work through, and you may experience (or are already experiencing) many of these stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. I think just knowing it's normal and natural to feel those things can make it easier to deal with them. Be good to yourself, I think working on creative personal projects is a great idea, and you never know where that will lead! Report Inappropriate Comment

VHALKYRIE 10/29/2011 11:37PM

It is a chance to work on some creative personal projects that I might not have done otherwise. I felt a change coming, but I am just directionless at the moment. My path ahead isn't clear yet. Report Inappropriate Comment

BTVMADS 10/29/2011 7:11PM

I know what you mean -- this is a really hard environment for job hunting. There is so much competition and so few golden opportunities that it's difficult to stay positive in the face of even the slightest setback. But I sense you're probably a lot like me in the world of job applications: no matter how long it takes or how frustrating it gets, you'll keep charging ahead and working towards your goal no matter what. It's pretty arduous, but it eventually pays off... And besides, given your hard-working personality, being lazy is simply not an option. So I'm very sorry that you're having to go through this at all, but I know you will eventually find the right position at the right time. Report Inappropriate Comment