Key Lime Pie with an "Almond-Spiked" Crust

Wow. It has been a LONG time since I've posted. So long that as I perused the pictures that have been piling up on Picasa, I couldn't remember what half of them were!  Clearly, I have not stopped cooking or baking in the months that Chez Smokey has been dormant -- I have just been lazy about posting!

As a "welcome back," I present to you a recipe for key lime pie that I baked back in May, but remember like it was yesterday. This was such an incredible pie, the pictures simply do not do it justice. The filling-to-crust ratio is beautifully high, and it is just a tart and creamy as you can imagine. The almonds in the crust, while not overpowering, certainly "take it up a notch," and set this creation apart from any I have made in the past. (I have this vivid memory of using a pre-packaged graham cracker crust for my first key lime pie however many years ago. It's hard to believe that I ever thought such a short-cut was necessary!)

Just remembering this pie is making my mouth water -- and making me slap myself (metaphorically) for not making it again this summer! Of course, summer isn't over yet, so there is still time to whip out another one. Anyone want to come over for pie???

Key Lime Pie with an "Almond-Spiked" Crust
(from Gourmet via Epicurious; adapted from Town Hall Restaurant in San Francisco)

yield: Makes 8 to 10 servings

active time: 25 min

total time: 10 hr (includes chilling)

For crust:

• 7 (5-by 2 1/2-inch) graham crackers, broken into small pieces
• 3/4 cup sliced or slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted

For filling:

• 2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
• Grated zest of 2 Key limes (I used regular limes, and it worked out fine)
• 1 cup Key lime juice (the recipe calls for you to make it fresh, from about 2 pounds fresh Key limes, but I think bottled is just as good)
• 4 large egg yolks

Make crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter a 9-inch pie plate.

Pulse together graham crackers, almonds, and sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl and stir in butter. Press crumb mixture evenly onto bottom and up side of pie plate. Bake until lightly.

Make filling and bake pie:
Gently whisk together filling ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth and pour into crust. Bake until just set in center, 15 to 20 minutes.

Cool completely (filling will set as it cools). Chill pie, loosely covered, at least 8 hours.

Top with sweetened whipped cream, if desired.

Mom's Apple Crumb Pie

For as long as I can remember, my mother has made this apple pie every Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Fourth of July. Last year, I co-opted Christmas dessert, and my father... well, let's just say that he was less than pleased.

When the question of whether to follow Christmas dinner with the apple pie or something new, the answer was a resounding, "Why not both?"

I cannot personally take credit for this particular pie, as this is the fruit of my mother's labor. I can assure you, however, that the recipe is sound, and does not necessarily require my mother's magic. I recall baking one for a summer BBQ once, and was thrilled to death to catch the host (I kid you not) LICKING the plate. I have tried to enjoy other apple pies, but I always find myself longing for this one. It really is THAT good. Trust me.

Apple Crumb Pie
(original source unkown)

• 5 to 7 tart apples (5 cups)
• 1 9-inch unbaked pastry shell*
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons butter

Pare apples; core and cut in eighths. Place in unbaked pastry shell.

Mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over apples.

Mix 1/3 cup sugar with the flour; cut in butter using pastry cutter or two knives, till crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.

Bake at 400 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or till done.**  If pie browns too quickly, cover edge with foil.

*If using a 10-inch plate, ncrease the topping flour, butter and sugar by about a 1/3 so you will have enough to cover...

**If you use Granny Smith apples, they will take longer to cook. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees after 35 minutes, and watch carefully.