Fall for Apple Pie

I love the fall of the year! I love the cooler weather, the crispness in the air and the spicy smells of autumn. One of my favorite things to bake during the fall is apple pie. The warm aroma of apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice wafting from my kitchen is heavenly. Today was not only the first day of fall, it was fallish...crisp and cool.  I found myself with a basket of delicious Jazz apples, so what else could I do but welcome fall with a sweet apple pie.

Normally, I use Granny Smith apples in my apple pie, but I decided to give the Jazz apples a try. I thought they would work well because they are crunchy and effervescent. Jazz apples are the result of a cross between Royal Gala and Braeburn apples and originated in New Zealand. Though they are sweeter than Granny Smith apples, I thought they had enough tanginess and crispness to hold up in the baking process, so I got to peeling!

Then I cored and sliced the apples and put them in a large pot with 1 stick of butter, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1/2 c. white sugar, 3 T. all purpose flour, 1 and 1/2 t. apple pie spice, and 1/4 c. water. I cooked the whole mixture over medium heat until the butter melted and the apples were slightly cooked, still holding their shape, but beginning to change color.  

I then poured the apples into a chilled pie crust and added a top crust. I make my own crust, but you can use the store bought kind that you roll out, if you like. At this point you should cut vents into your top crust after placing it on the pie. I am telling you this because I forgot that step! The hot liquid will find a way out as the steam builds up inside, so you want to prevent this by cutting some small vents in the top crust.  I added a little pastry decoration, brushed the top crust with some milk and sprinkled some sugar over the top. The pie went into a preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Then, I cut the temperature down to 350 degrees and continued cooking for 30 minutes.

The Jazz apples were perfect! I knew I had a hit when my husband said, "What kind of apples did you use? They are really good!" They held their shape and still had a bit of toothiness to them, but were still completely cooked. They were sweet, but with enough tang to keep the sweetness from being overpowering. So good, so jazzy! Here is the finished pie. I wish you could smell the sweet, spicy aroma coming from my kitchen! It smells like fall, y'all!

We couldn't resist adding a little ice cream!

Here's the recipe:

Jazzy Apple Pie 

8 Jazz apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 pie crust recipe for top and bottom crust

1 stick of butter

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. white sugar

1 and 1/2 t. apple pie spice

3 T. all purpose flour

1/4 c. water

Place apples, sugars, butter, flour, apple pie spice and water into a large pot and cook over medium heat until butter melts and apples begin to change color. Pour mixture into chilled pie shell and add top crust. Cut vents in top crust and brush with the top crust with milk. Sprinkle sugar lightly over the top of the pie. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and bake pie for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue cooking for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly before cutting. 

Digging Up Memories

Way back in August of 2012, before Sherri, Lu and I had even had the idea of starting a blog, Sherri and I had taken a trip to Atlanta. Luanne would have been with us on this trip, but it was right after Sherri and I had retired and Luanne had gone back to work for one more year, so it was just the two of us. While we were in Georgia, we strolled around nearby Decatur and found a cozy little restaurant called The Iberian Pig. Neither of us had ever heard of it before, but because we have always been adventurers at heart and because anything involving a pig sounds tasty to us, we decided to give The Iberian Pig a try.

Since this was in our pre-blogging era, my photographs are not too comprehensive, and my memory has faded on the details of the meal except for a couple of things. Sherri and I had pork cheek tacos and they were fabulous. You are shocked, right...that I had tacos? 

We also had a tray of cured meats and cheeses that included the meat from the famous black footed Iberian pigs of Spain. Jamón Ibérico is considered one of the most prized cured meats in the world. The cheeses on the platter were amazing as well. For dessert we couldn't resist cinnamon sugar dusted churros served with a chili infused chocolate sauce for dipping. Altogether the meal was outstanding and we were so happy that we had chosen The Iberian Pig for our dinner that day. 

As we left The Iberian Pig, we checked out all the cute shops nearby. This nearby restaurant caught Parker's eye and she had me snap a picture. You see Parker standing there under her name, of course, but if you look closely at the reflection in the glass, you can see me taking the picture. It was a fun day of sweet memories. If you have a chance, head for Decatur, GA and drop into The Iberian Pig for a full on pork experience. Then stop by Parker's on Ponce and take a picture in honor of Parker.

Three Friends and a Fork gives The Iberian Pig 3 Porky Yums UP!

Thanks to Parker, A Blog Was Born

When school ended at the end of May 2013, Sherri and I had been retired for one year. Luanne had just finished up yet another year of teaching kindergarten. Having spent the majority of our careers together, we were missing one another. When Sherri called and suggested we get together, Luanne and I were ready to go, so we hopped in the car and headed to Fayetteville, TN to a quaint little place called Okra. As we sat at the table enjoying our yummy lunches, we all began to reminisce about all the fun times we had together. Sherri, who had been battling multiple myeloma for nearly five years at that time, told Lu and me how important it was to her to spend time with us. She said she didn't know how much time she had or how long she would feel good, but while she was able, she wanted us to make spending time together a priority. Luanne and I were very much in agreement and that is when Luanne said the words that started it all. She said we should set definite dates for getting together to go new places and "we should blog about the places we visit and the food we eat".  That was it! Sherri and I were all in! We pulled out one of the paper napkins on the table and begin trying to think of a name for our new blog. After throwing out a dozen ideas, one of us, and I am not really sure which one, said, "How about Three Friends and a Fork"? That was the name, we all agreed. I offered to set up the blog, because I was the only one who had ever set one up before. Little did I know, setting it up would also mean, do all the writing!

It has been 15 months since that first blog. In those 15 months, the three of us managed to get together for a blog post, all three of us at the same time, 10 times. Some of those outings resulted in more than one blog post. Many times we couldn't all three get together because Sherri was just too sick. Other times, it would be only Sherri and one of us taking Sherri to the doctor. Or sometimes we were all together, but we were in a hospital room somewhere. Many times we got together when she really didn't feel like going, but she was determined, so we went. It wasn't enough and now it is too late. Our friend lost her battle with multiple myeloma this morning. Our hearts are broken and we know nothing will ever be the same. 

Parker could make a party out of getting our hair done!

Parker was full of surprises and she loved them, too!

Here is Sherri administering a kindergarten screener to my little Rob. She was a wonderfully gifted teacher and she had the best disciplined class of anyone.

Working with Parker was always fun and funny!

Sherri was tough, funny, irreverent, witty and observant. She was like George Carlin, she just looked at the world in a humorous and perceptive way. Her dry sense of humor and ability to cut through the nonsense and get right to the heart of the matter combined to make her one of the funniest people we have ever known. She was famously impatient and incredibly stubborn. She hated glitter and was super organized. She was never late and she didn't like to wait around. She loved to line dance, but she hated country music. She was something of a Rain Man when it came to music. She could tell you the name of any song, who wrote it, the year it was written and all the lyrics. Sherri was Bruce Springsteen's biggest fan. She never missed a concert if there was one nearby and last April, as she put it, 

"Well I got another Springsteen concert under my belt and indeed , tramps like us, baby, we were born to to run." 

Bruce, you will always have other fans, but you will never have another like Sherri.

I was looking back at some of the things she has written and I had to smile. They are so Sherri. One Facebook post that made me bust out laughing at the time and is classic Sherri, is this one about a time when she went to visit her mom in the nursing home. Sherri loved her visits to the nursing home and she liked to talk to all the residents and sometimes she would play games with them. On this particular day, she had been batting a balloon back and forth with her mom and some of the other residents and had placed her car keys on a table while the game was going on. Here is the story in her words:

Went to visit my Mom yesterday at the nursing home and I learned an important lesson. Never leave your car keys unattended as most of the residents are planning an escape. My keys were sanitized and returned to me after being found down Mildred's pants.

The next time she went:

I am going to visit Mom. I am wearing pockets .

And finally:

I had a good visit with Mom. I think Mildred gave me the evil eye.

On another day, she was wishing Mick Jagger a happy birthday:

Happy 70th, Mick, the original "Prancerciser".

And finally, Sherri, the ultimate people watcher, overheard this conversation at a gas station and, in true Sherri form, had to add her own commentary:

Overheard in a gas station a minute ago, " My forehead got sunburned yesterday. My part got blistered too." I didn't ask what part. I was laughing inside.

Parker, Three Friends and a Fork will never be the same, but it will always be in your honor. God speed, my friend. We love you. 

Three Friends and a Fork give our friend Sherri and all the fun times we had 3 Heavenly Yums UP!

Old Cookstove

If  you should find yourself in Danville, AL, do yourself a favor and plan to head to the Mennonite owned Old Cookstove and eat lunch with Grandma Yoder. You won't be sorry, because this grandma knows how to cook up a spread.

Recently we drove to Oakville to the Chickasaw Trails cross country meet at the Jesse Owens Park and Oakville Indian Mounds. On the way home, we took a little detour in Danville to visit Grandma Yoder. We were just a few minutes before opening, so we waited on the wide porch for Grandma to let us in.

When she did, we went straight to the front counter to pay and be seated.  At the Old Cookstove, you pay before you are seated. For adults the cost is $11.99 and includes an all you can eat hot buffet, salad bar, dessert bar and homemade ice cream.  If you are lucky, you might get treated to some Mennonite tunes while you eat. Occasionally Grandma Yoder and family get together and entertain their guests with a few acapella hymns.

On the hot buffet, I counted at least 20 items, including meatloaf, fried fish, chicken wings, chicken livers, mashed potatoes, gravy, fried okra, field peas, carrots, lima beans, corn, homemade breads and more. My personal favorite is the chicken wings. I don't know what herbs and spices they put on their wings, but they are yummy. I also love the mashed potatoes and gravy. The potatoes are smooth and creamy, just like I like them. Another one of my favorites is a pickled item on the salad bar. I don't know if it is pickled green tomatoes or something else, but I love it. Since the Old Cookstove sells canned jams, relishes and jellies, I thought they might also sell these pickles, but I didn't see them on the shelf. Too bad! I was ready to bring some home. Old Cookstove also has a cookbook for purchase. I think I will pick one of those up on my next visit, especially if the chicken wing recipe is in there.

The dessert bar includes cakes, cobblers, dessert sauces, brownies, trifles, banana pudding and the aforementioned homemade ice cream, still in the churn. You can fill up on sweets, assuming you have any room left after hitting the hot bar and the salad bar.

The cakes look wonderful and I have been told that the coconut cake is particularly delicious, but I can't seem to get past the chocolate cobbler with homemade ice cream and homemade hot fudge sauce. Talk about a chocolate coma!

Chocolate cobbler with homemade ice cream and hot fudge sauce

Homemade ice cream with strawberry sauce

Old Cookstove's famous coconut cake

If you find yourself in Danville, or near Danville or even in north Alabama, make a beeline to Grandma Yoder's. You will not be sorry and you will not be hungry when you leave.

Three Friends and a Fork gives Old Cookstove 3 Righteous Yums UP!

Cake Decorating: Part 2

 I told you about some cake decorating kits from DeAgostini that I have had the opportunity to check out. Last week I focused on the first kit. Now I get to tell you about the second kit. 

Cake Decorating kit two came with three guides, plus two star cookie cutters, a modeling tool, three reusable piping bags, a decorating tip and coupler set, a set of alphabet embossers and the previously mentioned binder. That's lots of cool equipment and there are also tons of recipes and techniques, so let's check it out.

The Mini Cakes for lessons two, three and four are iced petit fours, monogram cookies, and rose topped cupcakes. Essential Equipment included decorating tips, embossing tools, and modeling tools. Classic Recipes were carrot cake, New York style cheesecake, and Chocolate Marble cake, while the Special Occasions cakes were a Blossom cake, India inspired swirl cakes, and a Big Bow cake. The Cakes for Kids included farm animal cupcakes, a Patchwork ABC cake, and Rainbow Whoopie Pies. Finally, the Decorating Masterclass focused on piping basics, leveling, trimming and layering cakes, and working with fondant. As I said, that's a lot! Other recipes included chocolate cookies, cinnamon cake, Madeira cake, almond buttercream, banana cupcakes, and rosewater cupcakes. Whew! Are you tired yet?

The very first mini cakes lesson involves making petit fours. My parents had a cake and catering shop for years and the one thing I remember is how much my daddy hated making petit fours. People loved them however, and kept ordering them. So he decided to raise the price in the hopes that  people would quit ordering the hateful little cakes. But, no! They kept right on ordering! No matter how many times he raised the prices, he could not get people to quit ordering petit fours. You might think I would skip right over this section, but my curiosity has gotten the better of me. Here is my chance to find out what it was about petit fours that made my daddy despise them so much.  I can't wait to try the petit fours out! I will be sure to let you know how it works out for me and if I hate petit fours as much as my daddy!

As you can see, there is a lot packed into kit number two. I would think this kit would keep you busy with new tips, recipes and techniques for weeks!

This Cake Decorating Kit was provided by Learn how to create beautiful cakes for testing purposes through ALWB. No other compensation was given.

Oh, Fiddlefish!

On a recent trip to Alabama's beautiful beaches, I was a bit dismayed at the price of eating out on the Gulf Coast. It seemed every restaurant we went to, all the old favorites, had increased prices dramatically from years past. We rarely found anywhere that was under $100 for three people. The prices had escalated, but I did not think the quality had increased to the same level. So, it was a happy discovery to find a new restaurant in Orange Beach that was not only reasonably priced, but the food was very good, too. 

Fiddlefish, in the San Roc Cay shopping center, is located in what was originally a deli. It is a laid back, casual little place with a beachy personality. I especially loved the rustic wooden fish decorating the restaurant on the inside and outside. Another happy discovery, because the place is fairly new, we did not have to wait forever for a table. I am sure this will change when vacationers get wind of Fiddlefish.  Hmmmm...on second thought, perhaps I should stop right here!  Oh, ok...I'll share my secret!

We were seated in a booth and quickly given menus and drinks. After studying the menus, JD's buddy Rhett, who was extremely happy to find something besides seafood on the menu, chose the Fiddleburger. This burger was decked out in a fried egg, cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato. Rhett was one happy fellow when this monstrosity was delivered. It was huge!  He told us it may have been the best burger he had ever had. The Fiddleburger came with a side of crinkle cut fries.

JD couldn't resist the Fiddlefish shrimp poboy when he discovered the fried shrimp were covered in Fiddlesauce, Fiddlefish's version of bang bang sauce. The big sandwich roll was split and over flowing with lots of big shrimp, lettuce, sliced tomato and red onion. JD said this was definitely the best shrimp poboy he had ever had.

While the boys made their selections quickly, I had a much more difficult time deciding. My inclination was to go with the shrimp taco, because that is always a safe bet for me. On the other hand, I felt the name of this blog might have to be changed to Three Friends and a Taco, if  I didn't branch out.  It was a bit late, and I really was wanting something on the light side, so the next thing I did was completely bewildering. I asked the waitress for suggestions and let her talk me into this behemoth of an overstuffed baked potato.  I still do not know why I did, because it was the direct opposite of small and light! 

The thing was huge, stuffed to overflowing with grilled shrimp, cheese, green onions and covered in crab and corn bisque. The dang thing would have fed a family of four! It was rich and tasty, but there was no way I could finish the whole thing. 

The best surprise of all came when the waitress brought out the bill. I could not believe how reasonable it was to eat at Fiddlefish. The total bill for all three of us including our drinks was under $40. We had lots of food, the seafood was fresh and expertly prepared, we didn't have to wait forever and the staff was friendly and helpful. This place is a bargain! Do not fiddle around! Go to Fiddlefish on your next trip to Alabama's Gulf Coast!

Three Friends and a Fork give Fiddlefish 3 enthusiastic Yums UP!