Every year at Christmas, I try to make a fancy dessert, and while a meringue pie isn’t all that fancy, it is a little more effort than an ol’ apple pie. So for this year, I made a Cranberry Meringue Pie, seasonally appropriate, I suppose, with candied cranberries. Very pleased with the outcome. Tart and sweet — and the sugared cranberries add a nice pop — and the meringue is very silky. It does take a bit of time to let things cool in between steps, but I think it’s worth it.
(No, no flowers were used in the making of this pie. I just think the end result looks like a flower)
If I’m making pies in this Thanksgiving season, I might as well make two so two posts right after each other on the topic of pie. This time, blueberry that looks like a flower (ok, to me at least!). Blueberries make a notoriously runny pie if you don’t add corn starch to firm it up a bit. Alternatively, you can add Clear Gel (a pie thickener) or tapioca. If all else fails, add flour, but that will still make a fairly runny pie. If you don’t like a little messy, this pie is seriously delicious!
Well it’s Thanksgiving Week in the US this week, so we all know that means Turkey, stuffing and PIE!. I will actually be flying to Germany on that day (I often am, to be honest), but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t take the time to make a couple of pies in the lead up to the big event. This is a basic lattice top apple pie, covered in a hearty layer of crunchy, course sugar. I like the extra crunch to contrast the soft apple filling. Can’t find Pink Lady apples? Substitute Honey Crisp (my fave!) or in a pinch granny smiths!
As is Thanksgiving tradition, almost every year, I make a variation on cranberry sauce. There was bee sweet and savory, some more chutney like with onions and nuts, some traditional with oranges. Some out there with port wine or rhubarb or pomegranate. This year’s variation is a earthy, tart but sweet version with Tart Cherry, Cranberry and Aged Sherry Sauce, and it is simply delicious. Obviously pairs well with turkey, but also with a hearty pork roast, duck or goose. Should last in the fridge until Christmas so you can use it for two holidays and everything in between.