Februrary Is Apple Crumble

Pie A Al Mode

So this month I have been working on my apple crumble. Ive made three apple crumble pies and I think my biggest challenge is perfecting my crust. The overall results thus far was everything from foodgasmic to alright.  So here goes, for one pie

Pie Crust

1 1/3 cups flour
1½ tablespoons sugar
¼ pound (one stick, eight tablespoons, ½ cup) butter
1 dash salt
3 tablespoons cold water

When making the pie first you want to sift the flower sugar and salt together. Once sifted, take your butter and cut it into little cubes (make sure its cold). Add the butter cubes to the flour and mix so that the flour and butter form little balls or look like crumble. All I had to do this with was a fork, let me tell you it gets tiring. When that's finished add three tablespoons of cold water. If your dough is still crumbly add about one more tablespoon but that should be enough. Finally roll your dough in a ball and place it in a plastic bag and leave it for a least an hour to whenever your ready to use it. Before adding any filling you need to first bake the pie crust for about 15 to 20 mins.

I was making two pies when I took this, for one pie you would only have one ball

Filling
6 cups thinly sliced apples (about 6 large apples)
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

This is step is pretty simple. The hardest part about it is peeling those friggen apples!. It  took me what seemed forever and its not the most exciting part of the process. Once you've peeled your apples you should boil them in some water to  soften them  up. You don't want to leave them in for to long because no one wants to eat apple sauce. Mines probably boiled for about 10 to 15 min. Next drain your apples and season them. Your pie should be finished pre-baking, so feel free to layer your filling in the crust.

Crumble
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter

This last step is real simple. Just mix the flour and brown sugar then you add the butter and like the pie crust you mix until it looks nice and crumbly. Once your satisfied with your crumble top off your pie and get ready to bake. 

Your oven needs to be preheated to 375 degrees. First your going to put your pie in covered with foil for the first 20 mins so set your timer, then remove the foil and let it heat for another 20 mins.  Now your pie should be ready let it cool then bon appetit.

Trial and Error.
The first time I made this pie I didnt use enough butter in my crumble and it looked like a flat layer of brown sugar that turned out being very crunchy. I used crisco that wasn't cold for my second set of pies and it came out very flaky which is not bad but it was very difficult to roll out the pie crust and lift to place in my pans. I'm still figuring the pie crust out but I'm sure I will be able to give better tips as this challenge goes on. Im looking forward to.

my first pie

Links
So Im not natural born genius when it comes to baking I got my recipes from
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-crumb-pie/
http://cooklikeyourgrandmother.com/2008/05/how-to-make-pie-crust-from-scratch/

Follow Up

I was reading some old blogs and  I was reading a few that were about new transitions. Transitions to becoming a new me, my relationship with my boyfriend, spiritual. So here's an update 6 months after leaving Saipan.

A New Me.
Theres not much new to me. I have different current goals, like becoming Certified as a Dental Assistant. But my whole mindset is still a bit faulty. I guess I haven't put all my effort into it which is usually the case with me. But I am trying to change that. Funny I just started that today. For example with my studying. I woke up earlier and realized I could have a much more productive day. I finished my household chores and then I sat down opened my book took out a pen and paper and truly studied for three hours straight. This is the plan for my saturday and Sunday. (this is because I have a certification test on Monday for infection control) I know, this sounds like Super Cramming but I want to take the skills I used to cram and spread out weekly one hour a day. Then when the exam comes I'll be much more prepared. If I can do this stick to this idea then I can say a few months or so from now, I truly have changed. Because I get what I want because I went and got it. I would love to say that honestly

My Spirituality.
Alright that has defiantly sunk since I've come home. The biggest reason is because of what I mentioned above, not giving my all, but I believe where I am also plays a small part in it to. In saipan Jesus was the focus of everyone I spent time with. Here Jesus is a focus but not the biggest one, also here I don't hang out with people I stay home by myself. Being its all on me, my relationship has plummeted. I know if I want to get where I was I have to do something figuring out what is the problem and doing it when I've made up my mind is another issue. Writing this is making me feel so entitled and lazy. So Priya as of right now see what needs to be done here's hoping I'll have a better follow up in about 6 months or better yet maybe you'll notice a change as I blog later on.

My Boyfriend.
I was very worried that as we were each finding out selves we would grow apart. Well we are still together and happy but I would say that fear still came true. Were still tight as can be given the distance of miles but as time goes by we notice differences. What I'm glad about those difference hasn't broken us even if it came pretty darn close. Instead were working with it and accepting it. Being that were so stretched being Im here in Bermuda and he's in the states these rocks being thrown at our only connection is making it stronger not weaker. I think this is one aspect of my life that will fluctuate up and down but will still remain a constant in my life.

There's my follow up My next one will be three for three positive I promise. I have to be more productive in all areas of my life. Its the best way to feel good and satisfied. And I simply cant wait.

Whats Cooking Doc

So I think I'm in the clear to say I've mastered my pumpkin Cheesecake Pie. I've had numerous praises for it and from more then Tony and my Mom lol. If I say so  myself it is pretty good. Tonight I attempted to make a apple crumble pie. Now this is my first attempt at it and I don't know what it taste like but I have figured out how to make it look better (the crumble part) Ill find out how it taste tomorrow. Any way all this being said A great idea has come to my mind.

Project PIE.

Im am going to pick twelve pies I want to master one for each month of the year. Im thinking one pie a month. And on the first Sunday of December I'm going to make all 12 pies. Maybe have a Pie Party.

The rules for Project PIE are as follows.

• The shell must be made from scratch
• The filling must also be from scratch(cept for certain purees like pumpkin. I'm not squashing no pumpkin)
• Basically it all has to be from scratch.

Since January is already finished one month I'll Have to perfect two Pies. This should be fun. Look out at the end of the month for my first entry for February. Apple Crumble Pie :)

Mystery of Mr. Cambell?

Working in a Dental Office means move move move. For those of you who know me,  this has been hard because I'm constantly on cruise mode. So I have to pick up my speed when breaking down a room, sterilizing instruments, getting a patient. So I'm doing the best I can get my room ready and I walk out to the waiting room.  And I ask the receptionist if my patient is here. She told me yes. So I walk out and call for Mr. Rogers.

There's this cute old man who looks up to say that's me and I ask will you follow me? He replied "I'd follow you anywhere." So I take him to back and he shows me his tooth that is chipped, his 15, and it matches with my records. So I set him up and tell him the doctor will be with him in a moment and I'll be right back.

I leave to tell the doctor that her patient is seated and ready and which tooth seems to be the problem she gives me the ok and I walk back to my opertory to talk to Mr. Rogers. Were having a great conversation thats one thing I love about my job. So were talking and the doctor walks in and with her booming voice say MR. CAMBELL THERE YOU ARE! YOUR IN THE WRONG CHAIR. que in blush. I had the wrong patient. "Mr.Cambell" was supposed to be here for a hygiene appt. Lisa the hygienist was walking up and down every where in our small office trying to find a really old guy who shouldn't be able to get anywhere too quickly. My patient was still sitting in the waiting room.

I felt dumb lol I guess I definitely have to raise my voice especially when the patient looks old. So i gave her back her patient, I got my actual patient, and Mr. Cambell found his way back to my chair later that afternoon because at the end of the day his tooth was chipped and we was able to provide a quick fix.

Overall it was embarrassing and I'm sure I'll have a lot more embarrassing stories to tell but that was the mystery of Mr. Cambell