Pear Pie

There's really nothing like polishing off a big meal with a slice of freshly baked pie. This pear pie was easily my favourite part of our huge thanksgiving dinner this year.
It's now officially spring and there are still pears at the farmers market, so I couldn't help but make this one more time before they're gone.

I couldn't decide if I wanted to make a booze infused whipped cream or a salted dark caramel to top this pie, but then our dinner guests showed up with a container of banana cardamom ice cream. Problem solved! And it was a match made in heaven. Cardamom + Pear = Fantastic!

Unfortunately I was too distracted with said dinner guests that there were no photos of the finished pie, so just use your imagination ok?

Pecan Pie

I've been meaning to make pecan pie for months, ever since eating some at one of our favourite local restaurants. I finally got around to it this weekend, deciding to bring it to our staff holiday potluck. Accompanied by my husband's famous ribs, my favourite mac n cheese, and coleslaw, this pecan pie would have made the perfect finish to our southern-inspired meal. Too bad we pigged out on all the other food (mostly desserts) that I only ended up having a tiny bite of this delicious pie.

Sugar Daddy

When I was young my mother really only made pie about twice a year, at thanksgiving and christmas. It was always pumpkin, topped with mounds of whipped cream. As much as I loved the pie, I actually have more fond memories for a by-product of her pie making. She called it a "sugar daddy" and if I remember correctly we were usually fed little bits long before dinner, probably to keep us happy and out of her hair while she cooked.


A few years into my relationship with my husband, after making a pie one day, I began assembling a sugar daddy. My husband was confused. "I thought you were done the pie. What's that?" I told him how my mother had made this for us as children, and how delicious it would be. As he looked at the skimpy fillings he didn't look convinced. But ever since his first bite he's welcomed the tradition of the sugar daddy into our home and excitedly awaits its arrival, just like I did as a child.

Pie Crust

In the last year I think I've really honed my pie crust skills. 

Whats my secret to great pie? 

Well, I use Martha Stewart's classic Pate Brisee dough, I do my best to chill my ingredients and tools, and I practice, practice, practice.

I think that (like in bread making) you really need to get acquainted with the dough, and the whole process. It takes a while to not only get used to the feel and look of the right texture of the dough, but also to learn how to control it when rolling.