Now this post is a bit past the holidays because it's been a super hectic and absolutely crazy time. Seriously I came home from University for a holiday and I just wanted to go back to LEARN because I didn't want to deal with the insanity. That says something ha ha. But really it was a lot of fun! I hope everyone had a great holiday too! I believe being politically right its Happy Chrismahannukwanzicalookit'stuesday. (Can't forget those atheists)
This post starts out upstate and will end back home for me. I lost my job so i've been a bit strapped for cash and I decided to make some presents for my friends families instead of buying. It was a brilliant is dumb plan I should have started earlier than midnight on the night I was leaving but you know it's the holidays and nothing is crazier than them.
So then, onto the PIES, yes pies. I bakes them into mason jars! I also did a bit of glass etching on the jars because I thought it was really cool/cute.
This post starts out upstate and will end back home for me. I lost my job so i've been a bit strapped for cash and I decided to make some presents for my friends families instead of buying. It was a brilliant is dumb plan I should have started earlier than midnight on the night I was leaving but you know it's the holidays and nothing is crazier than them.
So then, onto the PIES, yes pies. I bakes them into mason jars! I also did a bit of glass etching on the jars because I thought it was really cool/cute.
Well for the glass watching to work you have to tediously cut out a stencil. The layer is masking tape, stencil, tape. Then outline the pie with an knife and pull off the stencil and pull up the little pieces of tape.
Pour some armor etch over it and let sit for 2-5 min. And when you wash it off you get this! Then repeat 11 more times @_@
I did all the stencil and glass etching two days before (Instead of studying for finals)
Then I got the boyfriend and the boy to help peel apples!
I winged this recipe, those are traditional granny smith and then I got some fuji because I think a mix is better. But do your apple research, some apples are better than others for baking. You want firmer apples without a grainy texture. Fuji are sweeter and thus paired well with the sharp taste of the granny smith.
Dear everyone. Do you see how the boyfriend is cutting those apples? DANGEROUS! Do NOT do!
The girl provided this nifty apple corer and cutter but the slices still had to get thinner and smaller because of the tiny jars.
The pie dough! Now i've never made dough from scratch before so this was a bit scary. (Read too many horror stories)
It's actually really easy, (lack of a dough hook means hands!) drizzle ice water into the dough as you mix it. It's mostly just butter and flour.
You don't want the dough sticky or too dry!
Instead of mixing I suggest folding the dough over and over until you get your desired texture. (if you don't have a mixer)
There! You should get a nice ball of dough!
There was a LOT of apples. The boyfriend is still cutting up toward himself T_T;;
These are the sized pieces you want, you can even go smaller but I like nice chunks of apple!
Now for my favorite ingredient! It's the only one I'm showing you! I have my own amazing secret apple pie recipe with no measuring, all tasting and absolute yumminess.
Everything should be evenly coated. (It smelled amazing, and we had so many apples left over that the boy was just eating them.)
The fun (Tedious) part! Take little pieces of dough and mash then up against the sides of the jars.
Go all the way up until the you hit where the rings start for the jar lid.
Man the boyfriend just didn't get a break today ha ha
Time to fill!
Fill as much as you can and then tap the jar to see if you can't fit more in.
You don't NEED a topper but they are just too cute.
I tried making mini lattices and they look funny.
As long as you leave air for the steam to escape you are fine.
Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or put the lids on and pop into the freezer.
I cut little squares of cloth for the jar tops because these were gifts.
The verdict I got was that they were all devoured! I suggest taking the lids off and heating in the oven at 300-350 for 10-15 minutes. And then dropping a scoop of vanilla ice cream right into the jar on top of the pie.
Bake on people, Bake on!
This was the holiday dinner I went to at my aunts house. It was spectacular and I loved every moment of it. I also think I may have died of a food coma. Ladies, gentleman and whoever reads this blog. When I got back to school I'm on a tofu and vegetables diet until I don't feel like I gained a billion pounds.
Lets just say the night started off RIGHT.
My aunt is an AMAZING cook!
Calorie count: 4 trillion Delicious Score: Ditto
We brought that cake to the left, my god it's so easy and delicious. Heavy cream, kahlua and Tate's Cookies in-between the layers. Then toss into the fridge. Icebox cakes for the win!
I'm mildly obsessed with tea cups.
There are few better after dinner drinks! (ha ha thats my lipstick mark)
This cake is spectacular I'm making it up at university and there will be a blog post on it.
Just a bit of everything. I hate coffee but I love tea, and there is something about tea out of a teacup with a saucer that I adore. It tastes better.
That's mom and dad!
Grandma and Uncle! Grandma ate a huge piece of that cake and surprised us all!
I think the verdict was WOH good. That last piece was purposely saved for my cousin and her new husband since they were at his house for the holiday dinner.
Devoured.
It's the brother and his amazing girlfriend.
I somehow was given a vintage tea set from poland... I voice I like the tea cups one time and bam I get a whole set! I can't wait to bring these up to the house next semester!
Last night of Hannukah! The middle candle went haywire! I don't think thats a good sign...
And the cat says Happy Holidays! Yes that is the velvet dress ladies that we were all shoved into when we were kids. It's her turn! She is one and has to go through it too. Though I don't think she minded too much ha ha.
I've got too many pictures of this cat... Abbey is just too adorable and crazy to not take photos of!
Hope all went well with your holidays and remember, it's 2012 and if the apocalypse is coming then I'm baking till the end!
Music of the meals: God only knows. <--Not a song, more of a whatever feeling.
I'm leaving for California tomorrow so I'll be doing a 'Look what I Ate' post when I get back! Be prepared! I'll give you the details about the places at well don't worry.
So eat well, dress up your cats and get to exercising!
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