Blackberry Pie and Guacamole, or the Super Bowl Game

As I mentioned in this post, we made blackberry pie and guacamole for the Super Bowl party we attended yesterday.  When we were at Sam's Club last week, J suggested that we make a fruit pie for the party.  The blackberries there looked really good, so that quickly settled what type of fruit pie we were going to make!  

I love making fruit pies so when J asked for one, I was happy to oblige.  Traditionally he is more of a fan of cream pies, but because I can never get them to set up properly I do not enjoy making them nearly as much!

Blackberry Pie, as taken from Better Homes and Garden's New Cookbook

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup shortening

8 to 10 tablespoons of cold water--I used 9 tablespoons

For the Filling:

5 cups of fresh or frozen blackberries

1 cup of sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Kitchen Supplies:

Pastry blender (I used two knives) to cut the shortening

2 glass bowls

Pie pan

Rolling pin

Paring knife

Pastry brush

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix together flour and salt together in a glass bowl.  Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until the pieces of shortening are about pea size.  Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of water over the flour mixture, tossing with a fork.  Push moistened mixture to side of bowl.  Repeat moistening mixture using 1 tablespoon at a time until flour mixture is completely moistened.  I found the best way to do this next part is to measure 10 tablespoons of cold water into a larger measuring cup then pouring out a little at a time, instead of walking back and forth to the sink.  Divide pastry in half, forming the halves into balls.  

On a lightly floured surface, slightly flatten one pastry ball.  Roll it out from the center to edges into it is approximately 12 inches in diameter.  Wrap pastry around the rolling pin and unroll in a 9 inch pie pan.  Ease pastry into pan without stretching it and trim so that there is no pastry hanging over the sides.

Next, combine remaining sugar and flour in a glass bowl.  Stir in berries and cinnamon.  Gently toss berries until coated.  If you are using frozen blackberries, allow mixture to stand for forty-five minutes or until fruit is partially thawed but still icy).  Transfer berry mixture into pan.

Roll out second pastry ball, using the same method as above.  Place pastry on top of the mixture, trimming with a paring knife any pastry that hangs more than 3/4" off the pie pan.  Crimp edges as desired and cut four slits in the top of the pie.  I used some of the excess pastry to create three little leaves to top the pie.  Brush the top of the pie with a little milk then sprinkle with sugar.

Cover the edges with foil and bake for twenty five minutes.  Remove foil and bake uncovered an additional twenty-five minutes or until the filing is bubbly and pastry is golden.  Cool on a wire rack and serve.

Pear and Habanero Guacamole--Sadly, I do not have any pictures of this guacamole but trust me, it is delicious.  While habaneros are a very spicy pepper, the grated pear cools it quite a bit, leaving behind the flavor of the pepper without the spice, and this is coming from a girl who doesn't like really spicy food!

Ingredients:

1 habanero pepper--we found ours at Whole Foods, minced finely

4 ripe avocadoes, peeled and cubed

juice of 1 lime

1/2 of a red onion

1/2 of a fresh pear, grated--we use a box grater to get a finer grade without a lot of extra work

1 tablespoon cilantro

Salt 

Pepper

Chips for dipping

Kitchen Supplies:

Box grater

Cutting boards

Knife

Glass bowl

Potato Masher

Combine lime juice, habaneros and onions in the bottom of a glass bowl.  

Take extreme caution when handling the pepper.  Use gloves if necessary and handle the pepper with your hands as little as possible!  I usually have J do this part because 1) he is less sensitive to spicy foods and 2) he is more meticulous and careful about not getting the juices on his fingers!  You will want to wash anything that comes in contact with the juice thoroughly.

While this marinates a little, peel and cube the avocado.  Toss with mixture, adding pear, cilantro, salt and pepper.  Mash to desired consistancy.  Adjust seasonings as necessary (adding more pear if it is too spicy, more salt and pepper, etc)  Garnish with more cilantro and serve with chips.

 What did you have for Super Bowl Sunday this year?