Homemaking Tip--Pies

Cali didn’t like to work in the kitchen; Ande didn’t like to work outside. Both had to learn each, but if we were choosing chores you could bet Ande would cook while Cali pulled weeds.

Ande quickly learned the better she got in the kitchen the higher her chances of getting to stay inside were. She became an expert pie maker.

Cali was good outside which ensured her chances of getting those chores. I worried a little that she wasn’t more proficient in the kitchen, but a good friend told me to relax. She said as long as I had taught her to read a recipe and the importance of good food for a family she’d get it when she needed it. I relaxed and I’m glad I did.

Last week Ande made a couple of peach pies. Yesterday she made two blackberry pies. Today she’s helping Cali make a blackberry and a peach pie for a company dinner Cali's attending with a friend. Here’s a snippet of the conversation going on in the kitchen:

Cali: “What are you doing?”
Ande: “I’m getting cold, cold, cold water.”
Cali: “What for?”
Ande: “Because the dough does funky stuff if you don’t.”

Ande starts measuring the flour out of the bin . . .

Ande: “Okay Cali, this is what you do with the flour. You make it very fluffy.”

Cali begins to help . . .

Cali: “I’m making a mess. . . . Mom, you are on clean-up duty.”
Pause . . . “Mom, you’re not doing a very good job.”

(Of course I’m not, I’m too busy recording their conversation . . .)

Cali: “I need help!”
Ande: “Cali, what do you think I’m doing.”
Cali: “You’re doing a great job, honey. It’s mom. . . . Mom! Help! Getting a husband is NOT easy.”

A few minutes later . . . Ande is mixing dough, Cali is peeling peaches.

Ande: “Half the Crisco, Cali, and smoosh it with the giant fork.”
Cali “Why half?”
Ande: “‘Cause it works. Come look at my mixture.”
Cali: “Come see my peaches.”

Cali continues to peel peaches, Ande continues to make the dough.

Ande: “Cali, come watch the tricky part.
Cali: “Um hum . . . nice little ball.”
Ande: “Lots of flour and always use the marble rolling pin.”

Ande begins to direct Cali on how to mix the peach pie filling. She tells her where the things are in the cupboards: cornstarch, nutmeg, tapioca, etc . . . .

Ande: “Get the cornstarch, Cali. It’s in a container up above the bread.”
Cali: “Mom, you’ve been buying this in bulk these days? When did you start buying cornstarch in bulk?”
Ande: “Cali, how long has it been since you’ve been in the kitchen?”
Me: “I’ve been buying cornstarch in bulk since you wore diapers and I used it for your diaper rash.”
Cali: “Oh. I guess I hadn’t noticed.”

Cali begins mixing sugar, thickening agents and spices in with peaches.

Cali: “Ande, you do know these peaches are dry don’t you? Should I smash them?”
Ande: “Just stir Cali.”

Cali stirs and stirs and stirs.

Cali: “Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.”

Cali snorts and laughs uncontrollably at herself.

Cali: “I can’t believe I just used that term.”

Cali continues to stir.

Cali: “Hey, Ande. Look at this SAUCE! Who’d have guessed? Sugar and fruit make juice.”

The girls' banter continues back and forth.

Cali occasionally says, “Wait! I need to learn how”
and Ande responds, “Don’t worry, Cali. Cali. Quit worrying. Cali. I see you are still worrying.”

Cali did not need to worry:

The homemaking tips today come from my friend and Ande:

1. “Relax. Teach her how to read a recipe and the importance of good food to a family and she’ll get it when she needs it.”

2. Ande always seals the inside of her pie crust with mixed egg whites. She brushes it on before adding her fruit filling and it keeps the fruit juice from soaking through and making the crust soggy.

3. Ande also adds 3 Tbs of quick tapioca and 3 Tbs of cornstarch to her berry pies. They gel so nicely and keep their shape when cut.

• Are you more proficient inside or outside?
• Did you like to learn to cook or did your mom have to relax and let you learn to cook when necessity prevailed?
• Peach or blackberry?