Pie Workshop at the Lodge!

I have an online friend I've known for quite some time. She lives in Oregon, her name is Pam, and I admire her a lot. Pam's been married for twenty-nine years, has seven children…and has been homeschooling for twenty years. And she still has nine to go! Thank goodness for women like Pam who show relative rookies like me that it can be done.

Let me tell you something else about Pam: she makes pies. Hoo, boy…does she ever make pies. She's won pie contests: her apple pie beat 52 others in the first pie contest she ever entered. She judges pie contests. She is the pie expert to end all pie experts.

My Oregonian buddy has taught pie-making classes for about five years now. Her students have been men, women and children, and every single one of them has left her class home with a gorgeous hand-made pie that they accomplished themselves…without shedding a single tear or needing counseling!

 

Pam has a baking business, Fleur Cakes, and she regularly makes pie to serve a hundred or more guests at weddings and events. She makes regular pies, mini pies, teeny tiny tarts, and slab pies with her easy, stress-free parchment paper method of rolling pie crust. By Pam's own admission, she's made a lotta bad pie–torn, dry, stale crusts as well as gooey, under-baked ones, and through much trial and tribulation, she's figured out how to keep these mistakes from recurring. Her goal is to help to keep homemade pie-making traditions alive.

 

 

PIE WORKSHOP AT THE LODGE

The wonderful Pam will be on the ranch next weekend for one reason and one reason only: She's teaching an all-day, incredibly fabulous PIE WORKSHOP! I absolutely, positively can not wait.

Today and tomorrow, I'm giving away twelve spots (six winners, one guest each) for the all-day pie workshop, which will be held next Saturday, August 20 here on the ol' ranch in Oklahoma. If you live within driving distance of northeastern Oklahoma and would like to spend all day next Saturday learning to master pies (and having fun with a bunch of new buddies), drop your hat in the ring!

 

THE AGENDA

Here's the general focus of the class:

This class will have a focus on pie crusts and methods for making a traditional two crust pie, the most difficult version of the iconic American dessert. Once mastery of the dough is learned, we'll try applications of its uses: pie, quiches, appetizers, turnovers, hand pies, etc.

1. General discussion of pie and its place in American food culture.

2. What makes a good pie crust? A few simple ingredients are combined to make a dough with complexities. Discussion of what makes a pie crust tender and flaky and what errors cause tough, dry pie dough that is difficult to handle.

3. Blind taste testing of crusts made with different types of fats.

4. Demonstration of methods for rolling a crust without tearing or swearing or using the rolling pin for anger management.

5. Demonstration of constructing an old fashioned, two-crust pie.

6. Students/guests make their own two-crust pie.

7. Discussion and demonstration of single crust pies, blind baking

8. Discussion and demonstration of pan-less pie dough applications: hand pies and turnovers

9. Eating pie!

(We'll also touch on savory pies. Yum!)

 

THE GIVEAWAY

The giveaway includes an all-day pie workshop, a gift bag with pie-making supplies, and treats to take home. I'll be cooking lunch and dinner to sustain us in between the pies…and Charlie will likely dine at our table. Well, on the floor under the table.

 

TO ENTER

If you are available to drive to the ranch for the day next Saturday, August 20 (9:00 am to 7:00 pm) just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:

What is your favorite kind of pie?

Do you prefer cherry? French Silk? Banana Creme? Pecan? Just list your favorite kind of pie in the Comments section of this post, and you're automatically entered to win a spot at next Saturday's all-day pie workshop.

 

THE RULES

One entry per person, please.

No entries after midnight Friday.

Six winners will be selected and contacted; in the event any winner is not able to attend, a replacement will be selected.

Each winner may bring one guest.

**Please only enter if you're able to travel to and from the ranch next Saturday, August 20. Thank ya kindly.**

Winners will be announced Saturday morning.

Yay for pies!