It must be winter...those comfort foods tend to deafen my appetite's ears to fruit and salads. After being invited to a special family dinner, I thought it would be nice (for me) to use the excuse and try out a recipe. Shoo Fly Pie is one I've only heard about. This was not a dish I've ever tasted nor was ever interested in. It doesn't sound very appetizing but, you've got to admit the name strikes a cord with my creative nature. Known as a common pie used in Pennsylvania Dutch households, it's been used as even a breakfast dish. Yeah, I know pie for breakfast? Well, it should be good right? One of the top ingredients is molasses (my sister's nemesis), which admittingly, my nose buds are NOT fond of the smell. Despite the all of it's deterrring points, the combination of my husband's love of my renown crust, and my passion for baking, this project came forth with no reason at all other than a wild hair let loose on a Saturday......
First on the pie agenda...bring on the pie crust!!
Tools of the trade; crisco, ice water, a skill for accurate measuring, parchment paper, and an eye for those little combined balls of shortening, salt and water. A non-stick rolling pin is a bonus too. These also come in handy when trying to keep your husband in line!!
You're ready to roll!! Parchment paper has become a staple of mine while making a pie. I'm reminded of how much so when caught in the middle of pie-making with only inches of paper left on the roll. It's a must when rolling your crust and transferring it to your pie dish.
Other than a lot of molasses, an egg, some hot water, and baking soda there's not much to the bottom layer of this pie. The crumbly sweet mixture of shortening, flour and brown sugar tops the "molasses mountain" complimenting the unique goodness.
The end of the story? I brought it as my offering plea for being invited to dinner and it was welcomed with curiousity and compliments. Though not a big hit with the youngins' the bigger youngin' appreciated the not-so-traditional pie that mom made.
You live, you eat, you learn. No regrets on this one.
