I'd been thinking about making pie. You're probably tired of hearing me say that pie is not in my DNA, but it's the truth. My mother never made pie crust, and I really have no idea how it's done. I think there are some things we need to see to understand, and rolling out crust and fitting it into the pan is one of those things, at least to me. Go ahead, think I'm a chicken; I understand. But over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to try to figure it out. Really. I have a pie idea I want to try, and for it I will need a crust. But, that's another week.
Last night's dessert was almond pound cake and strawberry frozen yogurt. The cake is 3/4 gone this morning, before anyone's attacked it for breakfast, so I do believe it was a hit. Try it, if you are an almond lover; it's good even if you're not a huge fan!
ALMOND POUND CAKE
2 sticks (1 cup) butter
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup ground almonds
4 eggs
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1-1/2 tsp almond extract
slivered almonds to top
Bring the butter and eggs to room temperature. Beat the butter for about 30 seconds, then add the sugar 1/4 cup at a time, beating a minute after each addition, until the mixture is light. Add the eggs one at a time, and beat until light. Add the almond extract, then beat in the flour, powder and ground almonds. Beat well. Pour into a loaf pan, top with the slivered almonds, and bake 55 to 65 minutes at 350F (325 for glass pans).
So, this weekend, I'm going to finish the last of my book and then sew, between enjoying the sunshine. What do you all have planned for the holiday weekend?
17 comments:
I have such an aversion to pie crust it simply bewilders me. I don't know what it is that flusters me when it comes to pie crust. If I must bake a pie, I always make crust from stale so and so's. (cookies, crumbs, cereal:)
I look forward to you accomplishing such a feat. Perhaps, there will be hope for me:)
As for that Pound Cake, Yummee!!!
Mmm, almond pound cake! I prefer this type of cake over traditional cakes. It would not last long around me! :-) Regarding the pie crust, my job as a little kid was to make the pie crust. Once again, it's a cruel twist of fate that we live so far apart because here at last is something I could share with you! And them we could nibble on almond pound cake while we baked pie together! *sigh* Oh well, I guess maybe you could find a tutorial video on youtube. Some of the cooking instructions on that are really good! Have you used youtube before? Just go to www.youtube.com and then type in making pie crust on their search thing. Or even just google a search for making pie crust video. Man, now I want pie AND pound cake. :-)
I think I have everything I need at home, so I might have to try this tonight!
I've never made a crust that suited me either. Luckily, the Knight grew up thinking "convenience" baking is still wonderful...
I have some slivered almond at home just screaming at me to be made into this!
I'm stealing this and adding it to my Marjie collection (seriously I have a Paula and Marjie folder on my 'puter)
I HAD to learn to make pie dough and it's like you say you have to understand how it works, much the same as bread. I don't obey the rules but use my food processor and make sure I roll it up on my rolling pin to get it into the pie plate without breaking it:)
I've got the *Marjie's recipes* folder going as well - just like prairierunner!
The pound cake looks absolutely wonderful, but I know that if I baked it, I would eat it (that IS the purpose, no?) but I have underwear to try and fit into, for the photos on Sunday.
Any more bulges, and I would be forced to blame you personally... and we wouldn't want 'that', now would we?
;-)
Absolutely one of my favorite flavors! Looked great!
this must have lasted all of five minutes!
My youngest is a pound cake lover, I've been looking for a recipe!
Looks delish!
My mother never made pie because my dad's mom DID, if you get my drift. So I had to do what you're doing and figure it out myself last Thanksgiving -- I used Ina's crust recipe, and kept everything in a really cold fridge in between steps. It only took two pies for me to feel like I had it.
It can be done, girl -- and you're just the one to do it!
I am also pie-challenged. But I am also pound cake challenged, so you have me beat.
I'm working on the pie crust challenge too. Do find a short crust for a savoury wotsit tastes great when I use lemon juice in place of some or all of the water - even if it looks kind of dodgy it tastes great!
Ooo - I guess this would mean none left over for darling Thor. Zebbycat's stomach and hunger gene feel for him.
The almond pound cake is a cake of beauty and massive deliciousness. Hope dear Marjie got to eat a slice or two.
Huggles and snuggles from Zebbycat and his human, xxx and purrrrrrrrumbling until you sleep
i love the flaky pie crust recipe from Joy of Cooking. My mom's (actually my grandma's) rule? Don't overwork the crust, and don't let it warm up. Use ice water!
I use half butter, and half crisco shortening for my crust.
Best wishes!!
Go to http://marthastewart.com and key in "pastry crust", Martha has some tutorials on pie crusts. Just remember it's kind of like the opposite of bread; it needs to be cold and don't play with it much. If you use all butter it will be crisper than using half butter, half shortening. Use "European style" butter, it's better.
Good luck!
I love almond pound cake but have never made it myself. Yours looks moist and tasty.
Looking forward to seeing what pie you create!
I'll give you my secrets to pie if you give me some of that cake.
This looks delicious. Great job.
I'm a long-term pie maker and it's always been my job at any family get together. You can DO IT!
Bo doesn't go to college very far away so she's able to see her cat some but the poor thing is nearly crazed. She even comes to see me, by mistake, occasionally, and then nearly needs boiling in hot water to remove my cooties. She's 12 and I don't think she's gonna change her mind about the rest of us. She just gets more curmudgeon-y. :) And I'm a CAT person! She doesn't believe me.
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