Pie Recipe #33 - Orange Chocolate Ricotta Pie

This pie belongs in the cheesecake category with the cheese of choice being ricotta. A sprinkling of chocolate chips throughout an orange-flavored layer of creamy ricotta cheese and encased in a double-crust pie pastry shell makes a delightful dessert. Ingredients: 2 cartons (15 oz. each) whole milk ricotta cheese, 2 eggs, lightly beaten, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon grated orange peel, 2 tablespoons orange liqueur, optional (I used 1/4 teaspoon orange extract and a couple squeezes of the orange being used for the peel), pastry for double-crust pie (9-inch). Instructions: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, chocolate chips, sugar, orange peel and, if desired, orange liqueur (or extract or fresh orange juice). Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roll out half of the pastry to fit a 9-inch pie plate; transfer pastry to pie plate. Fill with ricotta mixture. Roll out remaining pastry into an 11-inch circle; cut into 1-inch wide strips. Lay half of the strips across the pie, about 1 inch apart. Fold back every other strip halfway. Lay another strip across center of pie at a right angle. Unfold strips over center strip. Fold back the alternate strips; place a second strip across the pie. Continue to add strips until pie is covered with lattice. Trim, seal and flute edges. Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 40-45 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Refrigerate any leftovers. Taste of home April/May 2012 edition, submitted by Trisha Kruse. "As easy as pie!"

Pie Recipe #32 - Fried Apple Pies

Among all the food that's fried in this day and age, from twinkies to cereal, why not deep fry apple pie? Cooking the filling on top of the stove insures the apples are nice and tender allowing a shorter time under the influence of hot oil. Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter, 4 McIntosh apples, peeled, cored, and sliced, or 1 can apple pie filling, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 (8-piece) container refrigerated flaky biscuit dough, 2 tablespoons water, powdered sugar. Instructions: Filling: Melt the butter in a large saute pan; add the apples, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the apples are soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool (I spread mine on a plate and popped them in the frig for a few minutes). When the filling is cool, roll the biscuits out on a lightly floured surface so that each biscuit forms a 7-8-inch circle. Place 2-3 tablespoons of the filling on each biscuit circle. Brush the edges of the circle with water. Fold the circle over the filling to make a half-moon shape. Seal by pressing the edges with the tines of a fork. Preheat deep-fryer or about 3 inches of oil in a heavy pan to 350 degrees. Carefully add the pies to the oil, one at a time, and fry until golden brown, turning the pies as necessary for even browning, about 5-8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with powdered sugar immediately. This is a Paula Deen recipe (2008) and can be found on foodnetwork.com. "As easy as pie!"

Pie Recipe #31 - Purple Plum Pie

Plums are readily available right now so what better time to make a Plum Pie? The crunchy top compliments the sweetened juicy plum filling. Ingredients: 4 cups sliced fresh plums (10-12), 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pastry shell. Topping: 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 3 tablespoons cold butter. Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients; pour into the pastry shell. For topping, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl; cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over filling. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 50-60 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Cover edges of crust with aluminum foil during the last 20 minutes to prevent overbrowning. Cool on a wire rack. Presented by Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas, on allrecipes.com. "As easy as pie!"

Pie Recipe #30 - Mom's Peach Pie

My husband wanted to make a contribution to my pie blog so this week's headliner comes from his mother, Barb (I welcomed a week off :)). What makes it different from other fruit pies is the thickening agent-tapioca rather than flour. This can also be made with berries of any denomination. Ingredients: one unbaked pie crust (9-inch), ripe peaches (about 6), 3 tablespoons tapioca, 1 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 of a can of evaporated milk, 2 tablespoons flour (ok, so a little flour is used), one egg, pinch of salt. Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl mix together tapioca and sugar; set aside. Peel and slice peaches into 1/4 inch thick pieces into medium bowl; pour 1/2 of tapioca/sugar mixture over and mix until peaches are coated. Place peaches in unbaked pie shell and cover with remaining 1/2 of tapioca/sugar mixture. In another small bowl mix together the evaporated milk and flour; mixture will be lumpy. Pour over peaches in pie plate. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes or until top is lightly browned and peaches are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream. "As easy as pie!"

Pie Recipe #29 - Orange Coconut Meringue Pie

This one is similar to a lemon meringue pie using a different citrus family member, the orange, with the addition of chewy coconut and loaded with tons of fluffy meringue. Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 cups water, 3/4 cup orange juice (either freshly squeezed or from the frig), 3 egg yolks (save the whites for the meringue), lightly beaten, 3/4 cup flaked coconut, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon grated orange peel, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked. Meringue: 3 egg whites, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar, 6 tablespoons granulated sugar. Instructions: In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. Gradually stir in water and orange juice until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce the heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount (1/4 cup) of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir in the coconut, butter and orange peel. Gently stir in lemon juice. Pour into pastry shell. In a small bowl, beat egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edges to crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers. Submitted by Daisy Duncan, Stillwater, OK, in 2012 "Taste of Home Annual Recipes", pg. 108, Reiman Media Group, LLC, Greendale, WI, 2011. "As easy as pie!"

Pie Recipe #28 - Root Beer Float Pie

According to the title of this pie one bite should remind you of that refreshing summer treat I remember loving as a child and still enjoy as an adult. Although the taste is good, it's just not root beerish, more on the vanilla side. It is also low in calories for those of you (me included) needing to cut down on sweets. Ingredients: 1 carton (8 ounce) frozed reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed,divided, 3/4 cup cold diet root beer, 1/2 cup fat-free milk, 1 package sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 graham cracker crust (9 inch), maraschino cherries,optional. Instructions: Set aside and refrigerate 1/2 cup whipped topping for garnish. In a large bowl, whisk the root beer, milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in half of the remaining whipped topping. Spread into graham cracker crust. Spread remaining whipped topping over pie. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. Dollop reserved whipped topping over each serving; top with a maraschino cherry, if desired. Serves 8 (each serving equals 185 calories). "Taste of Home Healthy Cooking", June/July 2012, pg.56, "As easy as pie!"

Pie Recipe #27 - Berry Truffle Pie

Strawberries and blueberries lying gently upon a bed of thick chocolate all contained in a pie shell will make the perfect ending to your 4th of July picnic. Ingredients:1 single-crust pie crust, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon butter, 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened, 2 tablespoons orange liqueur (optional-I didn't use), 1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 cup whole strawberries, rinsed and stems removed, 1 cup mixed berries, such as blueberries and raspberries, 2 tablespoons red currant jelly, 1/2 cup whipping cream made with 2 tablespoons sifted powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel (I used the can stuff or Cool Whip will work). Instructions: Bake pastry shell in 450 degree oven for 13-14 minutes or until lightly browned; set aside to cool. In a saucepan combine chocolate chips and butter. Heat and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Add cream cheese and liqueur (if desired). Heat and stir until combined. Remove from heat. Stir in the powdered sugar. Spread in baked pastry shell. Arrange strawberries and mixed berries on filling, placing strawberries stem sides down. Melt jelly in microwave and brush over berries. Cover and chill for 4 hours. Let pie stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Beat whipping cream with the 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and the orange peel until soft peaks form. Spoon or pipe whipped cream into center of pie. (Or use the canned stuff). bhg.com/berry-truffle-pie. "As easy as pie!"