The LaGreca Family

Usually, I am blogging about “a first” that Nicholas has had — and of course, there are always LOTS of firsts for a little person.  This time, I have a first that Joe and I experienced together.

We made an APPLE PIE.  From scratch. Together.  And it was a first for BOTH of us.

Joe had the idea last week – he just decided he wanted to make an apple pie.  I must admit, I wasn’t fond of the idea.  I have NEVER made a pastry from scratch – and I was convinced it was going to be hard and it would turn out bad. (Yes, it’s true – I like to do things that I KNOW will turn out well — I have a problem with failure.  Cooking/Baking does not come naturally to me – I have only learned how to cook, sort of, over the last 5-10 years).

I started with making the dough, and once I got them into these two balls – I was convinced something was wrong with them. I was petrified of having to roll them out.

So, I set the dough aside (hoping that Joe would do the hard part) – and got to work on the apples.  Wow! It takes a long time to skin and core apples (no, I don’t have an apple corer).  But, I will admit – the best part about the task was the fact that I could sit at the kitchen table and do it (much easier on the back).

I got lucky – Joe agreed to do the hard part!  He put the bottom crust in the pie plate and then got to work on the top.

Joe was a professional.  What would have been a disaster (if I had done it) turned out to be absolutely perfect! And, he even added some creativity (he gets a perfect 10 for display).

I didn’t take a picture of us actually eating the pie (oops), but we brought it to a friend’s house for dessert.  I must say (and I am not trying to “toot my own horn”) that our 1st apple pie was REALLY good. The crust was flaky (just how Joe likes it) and the apples were delicious.  I am still shocked!  I guess, now that I have done it, it really isn’t that hard (the crust is the most important thing). We have a few modifications to the recipe (at least 3-4 more apples) and maybe a little more cinnamon, but we were both SO happy with the outcome (and when you add vanilla ice cream……YUM!)

Miller – we are going to give you a run for your money.  When you get home from London – the apple pie competition is ON!