This is a story about a pie. It began last month, with a trip to a local berry patch.
I discovered that the berry farm grew a wonderful seedless blackberry called a Marionberry.
And they just happened to be ripe and ready to be picked that week:
And so it was that I drove home with several baskets of Marionberries (and some late raspberries, for good measure).
Yesterday being the Fourth of July, I retrieved my berries from the freezer and got started on a festive holiday pie.
First, I tossed the berries with 1 c. sugar, 1 tsp. lemon zest, 1 tsp. lemon juice, and 1/4 c. tapioca. I simmered the mixture in a pot for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. This will make a nice filling that won't get the bottom pie crust soggy. After removing from the heat, I spiked the filling with 1 tsp. vanilla (really good stuff I got in a modest, out of the way kitchen shop in New Orleans). Then I let it cool completely.
After pre-heating the oven to 375F, I put my bottom crust in the pie pan and filled it with my berry filling, then laid the top crust over that. I brushed the top crust with egg white and sprinkled it with coarse sugar.
Next, I baked it for 50 minutes, until the top was golden brown and the filling was bubbling.
I let it cool completely (important, to avoid a runny filling, and it takes about 6 hours to do so) before serving it that night....
With a scoop of vanilla ice cream! It was the best summer pie I've made yet.
This looks amazing! Oh goodness! And the filling set up perfectly and the crust is a beautiful color. Props to you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pie, Stacey! I have a challenge before me to make a similar pie with canned marionberries. I have a similar recipe to yours, and now after seeing your pie I feel pretty confident that it just might work. I've only used fresh or frozen berries. Anyway, thanks for the post and the inspiration to give this a try. :) Also, where was this berry patch?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen! I wish you luck with your pie making. Nothing like a berry pie for summer. The berry patch I went to for my berries was Impossible Acres in Davis.
ReplyDeleteOoh that pie looks magnificent! I never think to make pie but it's such a wondrous thing - thank you for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteI was totally hoping the last photo would have a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yum!
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