Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Blueberry Pie

More Chicken-Free Nuggets today, along with organic tater tots and blanched green beans. For dessert I baked two of the tiniest blueberry pies you'll ever see, using eensy little pie tins.

Blueberry season is fast approaching, and I wanted to tell you all about Polly's Perfect Blueberry Pie now so you'll be ready. This is a fantastic pie recipe we came across two years ago. It's ideal for those who don't like making and rolling out pie crust. The crust is mixed right in the pie pan -- you press the pie crust into the pan and the pieces that fall over the sides are used as a crumble crust on top. How brilliant is that? It's easy to veganize by using nondairy milk, and I just leave off the bits of butter on top of the pie filling, but you could use margarine. When fresh aren't in season I use frozen (not thawed) blueberries instead, and bake the pie about 10-15 minutes longer.

Oh, and the beverage today is shmoo's new favorite nondairy milk -- oat milk!

Verdict: The pie pans came back empty, but the fork and spoon were still mysteriously clean, wrapped neatly in their napkin. "How did you like the pie?" I asked.

"Good!" shmoo replied.

"How did you eat the pie?"

"I just scooped the pie out with my teeth."

Oh, my. "Show me how the piggy eats." My husband has also enjoyed these past couple days, with brioche and blueberry pie around the house. He didn't face plant into it, though. 4 stars.

33 comments:

julie hasson said...

Where did you find the little tiny pie tins? I'm writing a pie book and those little tiny blueberry pies look too cute!

Thanks!

Julie

esm said...

Oat milk is my new favorite too!! I just discovered it a few weeks ago on a search for soy alternatives. Yummy. Bet it would be good with blueberry pie. I think my husband would be thrilled to have the chicken-free nuggets around the house...

Jennifershmoo said...

>>Where did you find the little tiny pie tins?

Sadly, I have absolutely no idea. They were given to me by my mom, who got them years ago.

Marnie said...

Aren't they just tart tins? Don't people eat tarts where you live? Maybe it's a Canadian thing ... They look terrific, anyway -- blueberry is my favourite filling for pies OR tarts.

veganmum said...

Marnie, I was thinking the same thing - they look like tarts! I'm quite sure you can get those little tins at any supermarket north of the border. Unless, of course, they actually are different.

Regardless, very, very cute, and I am thoroughly intrigued by the pie recipe. Blueberry pie is my favourite, hands down! :)

Krista

Jennifershmoo said...

Around here tart pans are different, and no, most people I know don't eat or make tarts. They do, however eat lots and lots of pie! Maybe it's a rural America kind of thing?

The pans we know as tart pans have shallower, fluted sides, and usually removable bottoms. Pie tins are deeper, with more filling and a little lip around the edge for a ridge of crust.

Tart pans:

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Bakeware-Sur_La_Table_Round_French_Tart_Pans

Pie pans:

http://www.pastrychef.com/Catalog/individual_pie_pan_set_2824517.htm

Jennifershmoo said...

>>Is it just at most health stores (a certain brand?) or did you make it yourself?

It was Pacific brand Oat Milk from the health food section at my grocery store. Pacific makes Multigrain milk, too, which I think we're going to try next, and Hazelnut, which is my all-time favorite.

Isn't it weird how all these things turn white like milk when they're blended and strained? Well, some are more white than others, but still.

julie hasson said...

That's exactly what I was thinking Jennifer. But, if I can't find those mini pie tins, I will try making them in mini tart pans (or shallow mini muffin pans). Whatever the case, those blueberry pies are adorable!

Calla said...

mini tins for whatever you please!!

http://www.pastrypress.com/tins1.htm

Jennifershmoo said...

>>http://www.pastrypress.com/tins1.htm

Hey, those 2-inch "Tartlet Foil Tins" are them!! Thanks, Calla!

julie hasson said...

Thanks for the link Calla! Now I have a source to put in the cookbook! -and we will all be taking adorable little blueberry pies in our lunches (thanks to the Vegan Lunch Box).

Karlie said...

Yes we use these all time in Canada to make one of our favourite treats: Butter Tarts!

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Butter_tart

They aren't vegan but I'm sure you could veganise them if you like! Although this recipe doesn't state it, you can also put blueberries in and they're delicious.

I laughed that you said it was almost blueberry season! I absolutely don't doubt that in most of the United States it is early in the summer, but up here in the Great White North blueberries are a late July-early August treat, at least where I live. I can't wait, they are my favourite berry and pretty near my favourite food as well. As a side note, have you ever tried saskatoons? They have a slightly blueberry-like flavour and have just as many antioxidants, and I think more fiber because they are much seedier than blueberries.

Adv. Blogger said...

Blueberry is so delicious and so helth-giving! I like it!
It may be great dessert for Creamy Artichoke Pasta. Test it!

Essy said...

Dieudonne, it is going to be a cookbook!

Unfortunately we're all going to have to wait a while. Geting a book published takes ages. :-(

Also, could somebody explain what a tater tot is? I'd always assumed they were a kind of extra small salad potato, but those look more like egg-shaped hash browns.

Laura said...

You're right, they are much more like hash brown nuggets....and oh so yummy. I buy some called spud puppies from the Cascadian Farms brand. :-) (I think "tater tot" is actually a brand name, but we use it generically here.)

High Power Rocketry said...

Lol I love his pie eating strategy :)

R2K

Melody said...

OMG. Easiest pie crust recipe ever. I'm so making that this weekend.

Jennifershmoo said...

>>Jennifer, if you use frozen blueberries how do you know how much a quart is? Does it convert to a measuring cup measurement?

Hi, vegan_1! Yes, 1 quart equals 4 cups.

Keep an eye on the pie if you make it in smaller pie pans; the baking time will be much less. I think my little 2" pielettes took about 25 minutes or so, using frozen berries. I baked them on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling-over blueberry juice.

Catherine said...

I just discovered this blog and I love it! Even though I am not a vegan, these lunches are very inspirational. I will definitely be copy-catting some of these ideas. Keep it up!

Eat Peace Please said...

Shmoo is so funny! Face diving into the pie. Way to eat a pie!

Adv. Blogger said...

And what about sweet potato?

I like yammy coins!

Marnie said...

Tarts are definitely finger food here. The only time I see someone use a fork or spoon for them is if they've heated up a butter tart or got an especially runny, gooey one that could get messy.

R. Keith said...

Ok, your reference to A Christmas Story cracked me up!

Candyce said...

Cute!

Wide Lawns said...

I am sick at home today and I just got finished eating the caramelized tofu from a couple days ago. I added in some chili oil and sesame oil as well as broccoli and water chestnuts, and it was so good. Thanks for the recipe for the glaze. I hope it will have me feeling better soon.

Copy Editor said...

"I LOVE blueberries and live in the middle of Oregon blueberry paradise. I can't wait until the end of June when we can pick them and eat them until we pop."

I too, am in Oregon -- in the southern part of the state now, but will be moving back up to Eugene in three weeks. My favorite thing to do in the summers is to walk around the farmers' market in Eugene eating fresh blueberries. I buy a whole pint and just walk around eating until they're gone. Yummmm.

Unknown said...

OK, so blueberry pie will be my new thing...:)

I looked at the recipie...what did you use instead of butter?

Unknown said...

Will you be my mommy? I'm a 36 SWF, but I'd love to have a mommy to make my lunches. ;)

ally said...

LOVE the christmas story reference. a perfect mental image! but i'm sure shmoo had fun... :)

Plume said...

Hi!
I've been reading every single post of your blog and I wish you could make my packed lunch too ;-)

I tried the pie crust in a strawbery version and it was delicious, I'm going to post about it on my blog.

Thanks!

KariDyan said...

hey, where did you get the tins from the blueberry pie recipe on April 25th post? thank you!
Kari

KariDyan said...

oh, and my daughter says:
thanks!

Jennifershmoo said...

>>hey, where did you get the tins from the blueberry pie recipe on April 25th post? thank you!

Hi, Kari -- Look through the comments above and you'll find a link.