strawberries, pastry& lets get on with the show...
I have been eating out everyday for a week with so many showers, clubs & functions, I'm starting to think I might need a tent to wear by the 19th!!! This pie for Bookclub was so yummy we could (but won't) eat it every day!!!
It had a cream cheese base & just before serving I topped it with REAL whipping cream (honestly, is there any other kind?) and a sprinkle of shaved chocolate. Pies have been such a big part of our life, sometimes you just have to give in to the craving... Honestly though my favourite version of this is raspberry, but they aren't ready yet... soon enough! I am also learning that I really work best with big batches (probably from all of the R & D at Sarsfield Foods...seems weird that Loblaws own it now but it still has our name!!!)
Anyway I make my pastry with lard sorry, it's just the best & if you only indulge once in awhile, it's not so bad is it? (Don't answer that, I have a degree in dietetics, I am fully aware of the answer!!!) unbleached all purpose flour & lots of salt & sugar...I had to make so many shells because we are eating Quiche on the wedding day for lunch & now I have the messy part done! These shells are 12" in diameter, we like big here!!! I don't know what it will be like in the fall with Alex at University... I'll have to practice SMALL or have lots of company!!! I actually started this day with another wedding cake...
This is an old favourite chocolate zucchini cake & coming into the season, I'll post the recipe soon so you can use up your garden produce! * Emily tells me her zucchini is ready so here is the recipe!*
CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE
¼ c butter
½ c vegetable oil
1 ¾ c sugar
2 eggs
1 t real vanilla
½ c buttermilk
2½ c sifted all-purpose flour
½ c cocoa powder
½ t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1 t cloves
1 t instant coffee dissolved in 1T hot water
2 good cups grated zucchini
¼ c tiny chocolate chips
Cream together butter, oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla & buttermilk.
Sift and mix together all the dry ingredients & add to creamed mixture.
Bake in a greased bundt pan OR a 9” X13” (23cm X33 cm) pan
Bake at 375˚F (160˚C) about 45 minutes.
Frost with whatever suits you!
It is so moist & yummy (secret ingredients include coffee & cinnamon!). I have the two lemon cakes left & then I'll just have to decorate the day before. Nothing too fancy for Melissa...we're all about the YUM factor!
There hasn't been much scrapbooking time these past few days but I am working on a little grad book for Alex & a little book with Heather Bailey paper to put pics of my great neices in while they are here!I am getting excited!!!! Happy day :o)
Like the sound of that chocolate cake... very yummy & We've just got back to find a garden full of Courgettes!
Posted by: Emily | July 02, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Ok, that Strawberry pie looks to DIE for... maybe if I make it home this weekend you'll make me one... I'll supply the strawberries :)
xo
Posted by: Melissa Legaree | July 02, 2008 at 03:27 PM
I love your food pictures, Paulette :)
Posted by: Taryn | July 03, 2008 at 01:16 AM
OMG...that pie looks DELICIOUS!
Pleeeeeeeese can we have the recipe?
Posted by: Gail Wittenberg | July 04, 2008 at 04:38 AM
It is lard in my pie crust too Paulette...nothing else works quite as well. Those strawberries make my mouth water. I counted the eggs (remember my grandson Ian helped me crack them) I used in the wedding cakes for Amanda and Marty... I used 56 eggs altogether. Have fun with it ALL!
Love Myleta
Posted by: Myleta Ross | July 04, 2008 at 04:48 AM
Hi Paulette came to your site via Cameron. I am another inspired girl. Whoa I am so glad I came by that pie looks fantasic:)I am so gonna have to make that:)
Posted by: Cynthia | July 04, 2008 at 10:10 AM
OH MY SIDES HURT! I was just at Cameron's blog and the mere thought of you being that crazy lady! I snorted. "Weelllll.....we didn't want to tell you, but....."
I owe you the hugest email and I need to catch up on your blog. So many good things you've been up to. I can't wait to have some time to go through them with a fine toothed comb. And try your recipes. SANS LARD! OH MY GOSH! We have zucchini in our garden now, so I'll have to pick up the stuff for that recipe. Thanks for posting!
Posted by: Katie | July 06, 2008 at 09:16 AM
I gain weight reading your blog.
Posted by: Josee Morse | July 07, 2008 at 04:11 AM
That pie looks fab-u-lo-so!!!
Thats yummy speak for kick ass awesome!!!!
Please post recipe!!!! Or just send each of us a pie!!!!lol
Posted by: Angie | July 10, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Oh my your blog makes me seriously hungry... miss you paulette!! tena
Posted by: Tena | July 17, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Umm....strawberry season is over and still no recipe?
Posted by: Gail Wittenberg | July 29, 2008 at 03:45 PM