Gizzy in Heaven!

Gizzy in Heaven!
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Saturday, June 26, 2010

Blueberries explained - and baked!


I received quite a few comments about the prices of the blueberries I get. So, before you pack up and relocate to Southern Georgia, let me clarify that this is NOT THE NORM.  Surprisingly, the prices in our grocery stores are just as high as they are in Orange County, California, but since this is a small town and people have known each other since childhood, many old traditions remain, one of which being this local man picking and selling his own blueberries to locals (only) at this low and unusual price of $2 per quart.

My neighbor and friend Betty has family who live outside the city in the country and they have three blueberry bushes/trees that are producing abundantly this year. I have been invited to go there anytime to pick to my hearts content, so that's even cheaper than $2 a quart, but you run the risk of back aches, sun exposure and fire ant bites. I went there a couple of days ago for about an hour and collected four bites from those ants that are still festering and probably will get worse before they get better... life's a trade-off!

But, I will most definitely be able to bake a nice blueberry pie from the berries I picked (recipe below!)



Easy peasy blueberry pie recipe:

9-inch pie crust, plus extra crust for top crust or pie crust art
(I cheat and buy the twin pack frozen pie crusts at the supermarked)


5-6 cups blueberries, washed and picked over
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
Optional:
1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice. I think it helps preserve the nice blue color.
1 Tablespoon butter for dotting the top of the berry filling before covering it up with the second crust.

If using frozen pie crust, be sure it's not frozen solid, but not yet completely thawed out, just so it's pliable and won't break when handling (refer to package directions!)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Place blueberries in a large bowl. (If applicable, pour the lemon juice over them and stir.) Mix flour and sugar in a small bowl. Pour on fruit and mix to blend. Don't over stir!

Pour into pie crust and spread evenly. (dot with butter, if applicable)

Place top crust on fruit and pinch the edges to make a tight and pretty border. Cut some slits in the top to allow steam out - or make a lattice design with overlaping strips or cut shapes, into top crust, like rounds, stars or half moons...whichever you like.

Place pie onto a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil to catch spillage during backing.

Bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Lower temperature to 325 and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes. Fruit and juices should be bubbling around the edges.

TIP:   If the edges turn brown too quickly, then cover them with a strip of aluminum foil so they won't burn before the pie is done baking.

Be sure and allow to cool for at least an hour before cutting. Make it extra special by serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.... Mmmmmmm....


And for me, I have to have a cup of freshly brewed coffee to go with this. Although I drink my coffee black, on special occasions, I like to place a dollop of freshly whipped cream on top --- that always transports me back to Sunday afternoons in Germany when we had our traditional coffee time around 3 pm. The scent of freshly ground coffee, brewing in the Melitta coffee maker, an assortment of decadent Torte bought from the Konditorei and home made pastry...something we all looked forward to, but that's another story.



I have to add that I love America, but I miss German (and Austrian) pastries and Torten from the Konditorei!
(You really should go there to see what I mean!)

17 comments:

Sandy said...

Oh my, my mouth is watering looking at that delicious pie!! It looks sooooo yummy, thanks for sharing the recipe.

Kerrie said...

OhDoris, I will be right over!!! I love blueberries! Thank you for checking out my quilt. I just loved how cheery it came out and it went together so fast! hugs to you and Gizzy.

glor said...

If I bring my own creamer for my coffee can I come over??? I love blueberries and the pie and ice cream is just shouting at me. Looks oh sooooo good! Enjoy!

Beansieleigh said...

Oh, Doris.. This is just cruel! Be still my heart!!! This pie looks SO-ooo GOOD!!!! I was just thinking about making up some pie crust this morning too! I just might have to try this!! Thanks for sharing your recipe! ((hugs)) ~tina

Anonymous said...

Ja, wir haben in Deutschland wirklich tollen Kuchen und köstliche Torten... ich liebe Blaubeeren und werde das Rezept unbedingt ausprobieren!
Danke für deine netten Kommentare. Da du gerne häkelst, schau doch mal bei mir im 2. Blog vorbei: www.verena-impressionen.blogspot.com , da gibt es heute eine ganz spezielle Blüte ...
Liebe Grüße, Verena

Faith said...

Me too, save me a piece won't you...and fresh coffee....heavenly...love blueberry pie...with scream....:)

Anonymous said...

Yum!!!! That looks so good. I think Blueberry pie is one of my favorites.

gin said...

yummm, your pie looks great. and that is my exact recipe!! my mother in law has blue berry bushes and i load up from her. I know the feeling of missing home. But Germany will always be in your heart..

Annie said...

That pie looks so yummy and wonderful. I love Blueberries, but they cost about 5 dollars here for a tiny bit, so I never buy them.
Lucky you. xoxo

AkasaWolfSong said...

Be still my beating heart! Doris you are a girl after my own heart. My German Grandmother Emma Lydia made the best blueberry pie ever with fresh whipped cream. I loved going to her house on Sunday mornings just because I knew there'd be blueberry pie you could sink your heart into...
I am going to have to make one of these and ruin my diet, lol...
Yours looks exquisite Dear!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Doris Schmidt said...

Ach mein Gott sieht das lecker aus ! Kann ich dich besuchen kommen. Mir läuft das Wasser im Mund zusammen! Lecker!
Mach Dir nicht so einen Stress, das ist nicht gut für die Gesundheit!
Entspann Dich auch mal!
Sei ein liebes Mädchen und sei nett zu Dir!
tschüss
Doris

Debbie said...

your pie looks delish! and the recipe looks so simple too. thanks for sharing!

Silke Powers said...

Oh, Doris, it's only 11:30 and I am suddenly craving a piece of your blueberry pie! Doesn't that look delicious!! And I know what you mean about missing German pastries. I am already looking forward to sampling them every day when I go visit later this summer... I'll eat a few pieces for you! Any special wish?! Love, Silke

Doris Schmidt said...

Während -Du Dir die Finger wundhäckelst haben wir uns die Kehlen, wundgegröhlt.
Hammer Spiel gegen den Erzfeind
Deutschland - England
Wir haben ihnen ihr Ticked in die Heimat spendiert!
4 : 1 Bye bye England!
Selbst meine Freundin aus Australien ( Schottin)
Hat für die Deutschen mitgefiebert!
Sie hat mir geschrieben das der Kommentator nicht sehr glücklich war. Und das es ihr nichts ausmacht," WE are scottish"
Ich habe mich herzlich über sie amüsiert, das ist wieder typisch.
Also wir spielen im 4 Vienale gegen Argentinien, drück die Daumen, die sind schwer zu knacken, aber der torwart ist mies.
Glück auf.
Tschüss
Doris

CJ said...

Yummo, Doris!!! looks sooo good! Fresh blueberries and at that price ~ heavenly!!♥ So glad you are enjoying. Thanks for sharing your recipe:)
Hugz,
Cathy♥♥

Karin said...

Nothing better than a warm blueberry pie with ice cream and a great cup of coffee! Will have to visit the Konditorei another time -- off to work again. Love reading all the German comments! So fun!

deebriese said...

Omg! Doris that looks so yummy! I'm going to copy your recipe Thanks! D