We have bread!

We have bread!  This picture was taken from my camera phone so it is not the best.  The hardest part is waiting for it too cool.  And, boy, does my house smell good!  This recipe is so easy.  If you can't find it in the archives, send me an email (diane@b-dgoats.com) and I will send you a copy of the recipe for the bread and for making the pineapple starter.

Pineapple Sourdough Starter

I don't know if you remember back in June I experimented with creating a sourdough starter using pineapple juice.  I have been feeding the starter on and off during the summer (when I haven't feed it, it has been living in my refrigerator - be sure to label it as sourdough starter because someone might think it is a nasty "science experiment" and throw it out - trust me - I know!). 

For some reason, Fall makes me feel like baking bread, so I brought the pineapple starter out of hibernation and started feeding it.  Usually it takes a day or two to get the starter active again.  When you take the starter out, there is usually a brown/grayish liquid on top, this is call hooch.  Don't pour it off - just stir it back in.  The starter will also be very thick.  Don't worry - that is normal.  Below is a picture of the starter after it has been feed a few times.  Feeding a starter consists of 4 T flour and 3 T water.

See all the bubbles!  This starter is alive and kicking!  And it should have a strong yeasty or beer smell.  So today I am making Bob's Basic Sourdough Bread.  I believe that recipe is in the archives.  I will take pictures of the finished product.

"Award-winning" Apple Pie recipe

On the weekends, I sell at Farmer's Markets.  A couple of weeks ago, one of the farmer's markets decided to have an Apple Pie baking contest.  The market manager said I "HAD" to sign up for it.  So I reluctantly did and completely forgot.  Friday night rolled around and my husband came home from work.   He walked into the kitchen asking where was my pie for the contest.  HUH?  Guess who forgot?  And guess who spent Friday night baking an apple pie???  And guess who ate pizza for dinner that night?

I almost didn't take the pie to the Farmer's Market the next day.  I thought for sure there is no way this silly pie is going to win.  I threw this thing together at the last moment.  But, I promised the Market Manager that I would enter the contest, so I did.

Later on at the market I was told that I needed to go the tables at the top of the market because I won "something".  I figured 3rd place, maybe 2nd.  So up I went.  They didn't call my name for third place.  They didn't call my name for second place.  I thought - NO WAY, there is NO WAY I won first place.  Then they called my name for First Place.  I was completely blown away.  I won a trophy with an apple on it and $100.  The trophy is now sitting on my mantel next to the Grand Champion award one of our Alpine Goats won at the County Fair.

So . . . here is the "award-winning" apple pie recipe

Deep Dish Apple Pie Recipe


1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust
1 large egg yolk beaten

brush egg yolk on crust
Bake in oven at 375 for 5 minutes

Pie
8 cups sliced, cored and peeled apples (I used Granny Smith apples - but any baking apple will do)
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

put sliced apples in large bowl
mix dry ingredients and pour over apples
stir apples making sure all slices are evenly coated (if this gets "too juicy", pour some of the "juice" off)
place slices into baked pie crust and evenly distribute around pie crust

Topping

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter at room temperature (I use unsalted butter)

mix together - I use a fork to mash the butter into the dry ingredients
completely cover the apples with the topping
Bake in 350 oven for 55 minutes

Enjoy!

This is really good with ice cream (of course, anything is good with ice cream!)