Rolling 1st Pie on MARBLE counters!

15 years ago

OK trailrunner inspired this with her photos of glorious summer bounty, so had to take pics!

It was a beautiful Sunday here in the NW so we rode our bikes to pick fresh Transparent apples and while the boys took another trail ride later, I made the first pie rolled directly on my slab... the rolling and cleanup went fabulously!

And, yes, that window is West facing and blindingly bright, but when you live here, you don't care when you have sun you worship it!

Here is my 36" drawer below the rolling area that holds my flour, sugar bins, etc. I have yet to replace them with real metal bins with sliding tops because I may have to have custom sizes...we'll see, the rubbermaid works just fine for now...

the dough...

{{!gwi}}

bottom crust

apples, sugar, cinnamon....

almost ready for the oven (my first lattice crust in years)...

out of the oven, warm and ready to eat!

I only make apple pie because it's my DH's favorite...however, I've picked enough of the little tiny wild Pacific blackberries for about 3 pies so far...they'll be up next!

Happy summer everyone, hope your enjoying it!

Featured Answer

writersblock (9b/10a)

15 years ago

>I've never heard of either of the apples you mention

Gravenstein apples are originally from Sebastopol, CA, the home of Luther Burbank. There's still a Gravenstein Highway and a few orchards of them there.

mindimoo, I don't know which I'm more jealous of--your beautiful marble or your beautiful pies.

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Comments (43)

cat_mom
15 years ago
Yummy!!!!! So pretty a pie, too!
erikanh
15 years ago
yayyyy your first pie on your new marble! Looks soso yummy! I'm jealous of your countertops and your pie! :)
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marthavila
15 years ago
Oh. . . I'm so enjoying these photos of such lovely, lovely kitchens at work! Thanks for picking up the baton from Trailrunner and sharing with us. My only complaint is that I can't actually get a piece of that scrumtious looking pie into my mouth! :)
kitchenenvy
15 years ago
wish my pies looked that perfect - oh and yes beautiful countertop
rhome410
15 years ago
Congratulations! Must be a thrill to use.

Oh, I'm SO jealous...Of the marble, of course, but also that you have enough of the 'good' blackberries to make a few pies! We have 3 kinds of blackberries growing wild, but only 1 bush of the kind you're talking about. The rest are the ones that ripen later and have all the giant seeds. Blackberry pie is my favorite. When I'm short on berries, I mix them with apples.

I think the only thing I miss about our old house was the Transparent tree. I think I prefer our Gravenstein anyway, just a longer wait.

I don't know if you saw my other post to you...Think we should gather some of the others in our area and have TKO kitchen visits and take turns having lunch or something. Maybe pie feeds! :-)
ilovetn
15 years ago
I just told my husband last night that I've been wanting a piece of good apple pie. . .no storebought stuff! Yours certainly looks scrumptious!!
mindimoo
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you so much cat_mom, erikanh, marthavila, kitchenenvy - it was a little early on the apples, so it had a kick of tartness that was just perfect - no super sugary sweet pie for me, even tho DH and DS prefer it that way! There's only a couple pieces left today, but I'm saving it all for DH...he deserves it after our DIY kitchen!!!

rhome410 - I love a GRAVENSTEIN best! We planted two dwarf trees when we moved here 3 years ago, last year only had a few that the deer ate before we could harvest and this year only one sad little apple after there were so many blossoms. They were way off, bloomed in the fall then in the spring again. But, there's nothing better than Gravenstein applesauce! We actually make an "Apple Run" over to Chelan the third week of August every year, just to buy boxes of Gravensteins, Sunrise and Ginger Golds. We usually hit the water slides or the beach and lunch and head home. Sometimes stop for pie at the '59er Diner in Lake Wenatchee - they have a great Marionberry! (And, they have a picture on the wall of my dad's old Austin Healey.) Even with gas prices, I'm goin'...want to tag along?

As for a get together, you bet! We should do it!!
edlakin
15 years ago
wasn't it so nice to work on your marble?

we did a pie and some rolled-out cookies on our caesarstone a few weeks after we got it, and what a joy it is to work on and clean up!

nice lookin' pie too!
imrainey
15 years ago
BEAUTY!!!

I've never heard of Transparent apples. Local to the NW?
User
15 years ago
OMG !!!!!!!! I LOVE IT !! WOW !! That pie is GORGEOUS!! That marble is so beautiful....I can smell the apples cooking....haha that is beacause I am makin' applesauce from the ones I have and a tart for dinner !! c
mindimoo
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, edlakin - it is a joy to work on the marble, I don't think it could be any better, really! Cleanup was a breeze..thanks for your kind words!

imrainey - depending on what part of the country you are in, Transparent apples are a cold tolerant apple, so are probably found mostly above the Mason-Dixon. We have them a lot here in Western Washington - usually in yards of older houses, but I just checked online and they seem to grow in the East, NY and such. I think it is a more old fashioned variety, haven't heard or seen any of the big orchards here in Washington growing them, but they may...just I haven't seen them. They are definitely a tart, early season variety and don't grow large, so it's lots of small apples in my experience- but, worth it! (and our Shetland Pony just loved them when I was a kid!)

trailrunner - you continue to AMAZE with all your cooking! But, I do have a bbq brisket underway for dinner, that's what I can smell, even up here in my office....OK real work to do now, the kind that pays the bills!!! Thanks for your words of encouragement!
rhome410
15 years ago
I'm guessing, but I don't think orchards grow Transparents because they don't keep well. If you don't pick them at just the right moment, they get overripe and mushy, and will also get mushy if you don't use them pretty quickly after picking.
lascatx
15 years ago
Mindimoo -- love the marble. You knew I would. But I'm jealous that you and Rhome can get Gravenstiens. We had one in our yard and used to go to the Granvenstien Apple Festival (among others) every year. I do miss those, as well as the chilly mornign air for the pancake breakfast at the pumpkin patch in the fall. Enjoy your apples!
mnhockeymom
15 years ago
OOohh, now I'm starving for apple pie - mindimoo, thank you so much for the beautiful pics of both the pie in progress and your lovely marble (have you gotten over the desire to put a pillow on it and just lie there yet?) :-)

I'm originally from MN and I've never heard of either of the apples you mention but now I'm curious and must find a way to try them! Have you had Haralsons? Oh, the thought of them makes me salivate -- for me, they're the best for pies. My DH is so in love with Haralsons that every fall I surprise him by shipping them out from MN to MA!

Enjoy the blackberries, too! Favorite memory of visiting my Opa was to sit under his blackberry tree/bush and eat them until my fingers were dark purple - YUM!
imrainey
15 years ago
Thanks for the explanation of the variety.

I'm in Los Angeles but I've lived in the NW (Vancouver, BC). I discovered Galas when I lived up there the first time in the 80s but I've never encountered or heard of Transparent. Sounds like it might be an heirloom variety.

Here in LA we have a very limited number of varieties. My best strategy in that light is using a variety when I bake.

Again, just gorgeous! So glad you shared it.
writersblock (9b/10a)
15 years ago
Gravensteins on Gravenstein Highway in Sebastopol:

{{!gwi}}
lascatx
15 years ago
Stop it! ;-)
writersblock (9b/10a)
15 years ago
Cheer up lascatx. The only Gravensteins I have are the ones in the pics--no nifty apple varieties in FL :(
User
15 years ago
It is SUCH a JOY to see the enthusiasm on this forum surrounding the Kitchens in Action ! I hope more and more will post whatever they are making...be it small or large..plain or fancy...it is your kitchen and what it means to you and your family is what is important. We all just want to share with you as you discover the joy of your new kitchen.

THANK YOU again mindimoo...you are the best ! Caroline
rhome410
15 years ago
I completely agree, Caroline! This and your two have been such wonderful discussions...So fun, warm, and motivating, not to mention educational. It's fun to get to the 'using end' of kitchen planning, which is the whole point. I want to start expanding my kitchen skills and habits, but haven't quite broken into the cooking forum yet...I find it kind of like diving into deep water. This is a nice type of transition for those of us who are just breaking in kitchens like we've never been fortunate enough to have before.
User
15 years ago
Wonderful pie mindimoo, especially with the transparents. They are a wonderful summer treat. As kids we used to wait impatiently for the plums and transparents to ripen. Nothing seemed better than warm italian prune plums straight off the tree, and transparent apples with a dash of...gasp.. salt!

We too had the privilege of growing up with Gravensteins, but for some reason we always hankered for the "store" apples.. blechhhh now! Tried to get a Gravenstein tree for our garden, but no such luck here in Ontario so far.
melanie1121
15 years ago
Can you roll dough on granite too? or just marble? Just goes to show how much I bake...haha.
brutuses
15 years ago
Wow, beautiful pie!! I've never made a pie and don't suspect I could if I tried. Always admire those who can though.
mustbnuts zone 9 sunset 9
15 years ago
Love the pictures and the pie. Mind if I stop by and have some on my way to Trailrunners? All this food porn is making me very hungry and anxious to try baking in my new oven. I will have to start soon. DB (dear boyfriend) wants me to enter my apple pie in the County fair this year.
rhome410
15 years ago
Pies aren't hard brutuses. You may be giving up on yourself too soon! Of course, it's a good reason not to have them around and eat the calories. I could live without cake, and even pass it up, but not a good pie!
vicnsb
15 years ago
Beautiful marble & beautiful pie!

So happy to see another "kitchen in action"
although I would have loved to see a wider
shot of the action! Keep them coming!
User
15 years ago
brutuses: the recipes on Epicurious are pretty much fool proof. If you follow the one I made...the peach /blueberry and do exactly as they say it is really easy. No crust to roll out , just press into the pan and toss the fruit and bake long and slow. It will be delish and very very little effort. We will do it when I get to N.O !! I promise.

rhome you are so kind. It is going to be so much fun to seee this continue and grow. I tried the cooking forum but that is not about the use of the kitchen at all. It is about photos of food...very different point. Anyway they are great just not what this is about. I can hardly wait to discover your kitchen with you via photos of you and the kids cookin' together.

vic ...we like WIDE shots :)

mustbe....come on over ! c
margieb2
15 years ago
Can't decide which looks more yummy, the marble or the pie!
mindimoo
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks again everyone...the pie is History...the boys (DH & DS)finished it up last night!

lascatx - the pic of the graventsteins got me too! I can hardly wait for the road trip to get them next month!

countrycottageklutz - you must have had a yard like we did when we were kids, transparents first, then the gravensteins, italian plums (yum, I sure miss those) then a few other varieties of apples I don't remember really well because we ate them but didn't cook with them - as kids we called them banana apples, winter apples - some golden delicious though too... they were never as good as the transparents or gravensteins!

melanie1121- I dont' know any reason you couldn't roll dough on well sealed granite, the only concern I might have, is if there were small fissures that dough or flour could get stuck in...the smooth coolness of stone/marble is perfect for pastry.

brutuses - you can make a pie, I think most people just think they can't so don't try...they are really simple, I don't even use recipes anymore, just throw in what we like and go for it. One trick I have used when I'm in a hurry is get this, its' a secret....Krusteaz pie mix from the grocery store, just add water. It's really very good, and no one will ever know, my husband (pie expert) never even notices as long as I pat the top with butter and sugar-cinnamon, it comes out just as flakey perfect as my home made. I prefer to make my own still for some reason, but I keep one or two boxes of the other on hand most of the time! Go for it and then post pics!!!

mnhockeymom - I haven't heard of Haralsons! But, I think the Washington farmers are particular to the NW species. I would love to try them...maybe I'll have to track down an orchard and order some...love apples, love them! So, here's a few pictures of my Pacific Blackberry private picking area (off my driveway) for you and...

rhome410.... (sorry if these are too much like the gravenstein pictures for you lascatx)
{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

mustbnuts- I'd be heartbroken if you went to Trailrunners without stopping by for a bite! Thanks for the kind words!

vicnsb & margieb2 - thanks to you as well....vicnsb, there are a few other pictures of my kitchen around, search under my name, I haven't posted final "after" photos yet because of the last 2% details that arent' finished!

Last but not least:
trailrunner - Caroline, thanks for the inspiration to post the pie pictures in the first place! You have really started something here and I agree with you and the other posts, that it is wonderful to see these spaces (that we conceptualized, fretted over and labored on) show that they aren't just lovely to look at but are truly functional, fun spaces to work in!
mnhockeymom
15 years ago
okay, that is SO not fair...now I MUST stop for blackberries on our way home from swimming lessons!!

that's funny that they're off your driveway - that is where they were at my Opa's house and I remember driving his little golf cart down to where they were and then just snacking all afternoon :-)
User
15 years ago
Check the Kitchens in Action thread...I am posting somthin' I did yesterday ! c
rmkitchen
15 years ago
Any chance I get to peek at your kitchen I LOVE! I cannot get enough of your counters ....
-Brooke
mindimoo
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Brooke! I've missed you!
User
15 years ago
Brooke...mine ? Mindimoo's , mnhockeymom's...their's are wonderful !! c
katmandu_2008
15 years ago
Mindimoo - LOVE it all, the pie and esp. the marble. To you, mnhockey and rmkitchen, I am weeks away from starting the big project with marble picked out (ok, just for the island but still excited) and now my contractor has disappeared. Scrambling to find someone else and keep to original timeframe as our cabinets have been ordered! Anyway, for some reason I am not panicking yet and am dreaming of the many various ways in which my NEW kitchen will function better, hoping the months of painstaking planning will pay off. Probably won't be posting a summery treat but maybe some good fall soups or gratins, or a thanksgiving turkey - god willing it will be done by then! Sorry to veer off topic but love seeing the kitchens in action!
mnhockeymom
15 years ago
katmandu - do you have pics of your marble??? Can't wait to see :-)
redroze
15 years ago
Luscious!!! And the pie looks pretty good too! ;-)

Both the pie and marble counters look so yummy. Enjoy them with your family!
katmandu_2008
15 years ago
mnhockey - I do, but shhh, haven't taken the time to learn how to post yet because I haven't really had anything to post yet. And I must add that the photos don't seem to do it justice - but I'll try to come up to speed and post a pic.
loves2cook4six
15 years ago
Oh my that pie looks GOOD. I can NEVER get my pastry to come out that smooth and thin. And crimping - fuhgetaboutit.

Can I come for lessons? Do we eat the results?

Here's my attempt at a strawberry rhubarb pie - rolled on granite with no problems other than cracking dough and that wasn't the fault of the granite.

Sorry if this is a highjack
mindimoo
Original Author
15 years ago
Loves2cook4six - no way! That pie is beautiful!!!

Katmandu and redroze - thanks for the kind comments! Kat---- can't wait to see your marble, you must post!!!

OT - I apologize for my poor use of the english language above...my original post holds one of my biggest pet peeves, and I did it myself. I should have said: "Happy summer everyone, hope you're enjoying it!" Not "your" what a numbskull I am sometimes (hee hee)!!!
mnhockeymom
15 years ago
loves2cook - awesome pie!! You guys are making me feel awful for not working up a storm in the kitchen but I'm heading out of town and I'm just not inspired to cook/bake before vacation!!

katmandu - we marble lovers will lust over any marble pic, even if it doesn't do it justice :-)
kitchenredo2
15 years ago
In addition to having pie and counter envy, I am having window envy!

Mindimoo, who is the window manufacturer of your windows? If all goes according to plan. I will be doing a kitchen remodel that has morphed into a home remodel. I'm trying to find contemporary windows for what is now my very 1958 ranch.

Thanks!

Rolling 1st Pie on MARBLE counters!

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