Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Traditions & Fresh Berry Cream Puff Pie

Today is a link up party to talk about what tradition you love and why you love that tradition. I also have posted the winner from the last week's giveaway. I have new giveaway treasures for this week too.

One of my favorite traditions was one that my parents have done over the last ten years.
 
My parents have been asked to serve in the University setting where they live and were assigned to the specifically on-campus housing for about six years. Over those six years, we have had many different nations of the world join them (and their children) for Thanksgiving and other holidays as well as multiple times a week.

As their children, we have at times wondered why our parents would embrace and welcome those visiting from far away from their families. As I have moved away and have at times felt loneliness for my family and their traditions (such as blowing up pumpkins with gun powder with the guys from the Chemistry department), I recognize how good and warm I feel when someone else welcomes me. They gave others the chance to feel not so lonely. So we hope to continue with the tradition in our home anywhere we live and try to get to know and welcome our neighbors and friends so they feel loved and have a place to come.

So I am saying the tradition I love is the example my parents have shown to give a place to anyone who would accept it and want to feel included.

Now for the pie of the day.

This recipe seemed very intimating but in the end was super simple! It looks like a dream and tastes great too! I made it for a friend's birthday, and it was devoured.

Source: Gold Medal Flour company

French Custard Cream Filling
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon flour
2 cups milk
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup cream, whipped
1 teaspoon vanilla or other flavor

Mix together in saucepan sugar, salt, cornstarch, flour. Stir in slowly the milk. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Stir a little of the hot mixture into the slightly beaten egg yolk. Then blend into remaining hot mixture. Return to heat and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Chill thoroughly.

Fold in cream and vanilla.

Cream Puff Pastry Shell
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup sifted flour
*1/8 teaspoon salt
2 eggs

Heat to water and shortening to boiling in saucepan. Once boiling, stir in flour all at once. Stir constantly until mixture leaves the pan and forms into a ball (about 1 minute). Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Beat in eggs, one at a time beating until smooth after each addition. Beat mixture until smooth and velvety.
Spread in greased 9-inch heat-resistant glass pi pan. (Don't spread on sides.) Bake 50 minutes in moderately hot oven (400 degrees). When baked, allow to cool slowly away from drafts.

*If you use self-rising flour, omit salt in pastry shell.
 
Fill cream Puff Pastry Shell with the chilled French Custard Cream filling. Pour unsweetened raspberries, blueberries, or slice strawberries (about 2 cups) over the top. Cut in wedges and serve at once. Serves 8 to 10.


**********************WINNER**************************
  Congratulations to Jocelyn at We Believe in Christ, We Rejoice in Christ!

Remember to enter in the giveaway please make a comment. Here are the giveaways for this coming week.
Pie Dish with a Recipe Included



 Decorative Table Square

9 comments:

Jocelyn Christensen said...

Woohoo! I'm so happy! Thanks, Wendy!

Cyndy said...

Mmmm, looks yummy! So are you guys eating a lot of pie right now? I know some you can freeze, but as you have taken a piece out, of the key lime and such...I wonder! Thanks for sharing.

Wendy said...

No we aren't eating a lot of pie. We are sharing. It's that what our Moms taught us! :-)

You want to be next?

Jilli said...

You're right! Our door is always open to someone who needs cheering, BUT I NEVER made anything this delicious for anyone!

You're a wonderful Wendy!

Shaun Stokes said...

Katie said that this looked really good and it does! You should come and do some cooking at our house!:)

Unknown said...

Shaun wishes he could be so lucky!!! Sure looks great! I can't wait for tomorrow....you are almost making me have enough gumption to do some cooking....hahahaha

Jilli said...

Looks like you will put some meat on the bones of those boys before you are done. Looks so good. Way to go Wendy.

Kym said...

Looks like a delicious recipe, kind of like a giant cream puff? Yumm. I'll have to try it.

Joy said...

I love pie! I am going to have to try your berry pie. I have pureed a bunch of pumpkin and plan on making some pies, cheesecakes with it.