Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Pie

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I’d like to take the high-minded approach and claim that this is because setting aside a day to just give thanks is a good way to accentuate the positive things in our lives and remind ourselves of all that should make life enjoyable. Notwithstanding the day-to-day difficulties we all face, most of us have much to be thankful for.

When I was younger and perhaps more passionate about such a noble cause, that would have been the complete answer as to why it’s such a great holiday.

Over the last twelve years or so, my worldview has changed. Because for that amount of time, Thanksgiving has also been marked by delicious pie. Such as pecan, my favorite, but also pumpkin, apple, peach, chocolate cream, or whatever else my dear wife has decided to treat us with.

As far as turkey goes, I can take it or leave it. Stuffing is nice, as are sweet potatoes, but I could forego either one if it came right down to it. Pilaf is a family tradition and would stand out for its deliciousness at any other meal. But my goal every year when I sit down for Thanksgiving is to just not eat too much. Because it’s all just a savory prelude to the sweetness of the main event: pie.

Rachel’s pie fillings are nearly perfect. The sweetness of the fruit, the richness of pecan, the creaminess of pumpkin. It’s all dialed, and each filling could stand alone. But then she wraps them in the most divine all-butter crust you can imagine. My hand gets slapped from time to time during the preparation because the dough is so good, I’ll eat it raw. There are very few foods I consider worth getting fat over, but any of Rachel’s pies would make that list.

I love Thanksgiving because I’m thankful for pie. But as much as I love the pie, I’m way more thankful for the pie maker.

17 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Do you take drop-ins on Friday to assist with the leftovers? That picture is making my mouth water.

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  3. you are evil evil evil for posting pics of yummy pies when most of us are trying to fight off the "off season" weight which is dying to creep back on.....

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  4. Pecan is totally my favorite as well. All other pies pale in comparison.

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  5. Yesterday I made the best pecan pie I have ever made. The pumpkin and rhubarb weren't bad either. I challenge Rachel to a dual! Unfortunately, our husbands would not be impartial judges, so we will have to see if we can find any others that would be willing to judge. I don't think we would have a problem.

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  6. Jube, you're on! Given Alex's affinity for pecan, maybe we can get him to judge.

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  7. The contest is on! We will set the duel for some time in January. Hopefully I can bake better than I can spell. Blackdog says he wants to judge too. Honestly, I'm shaking in my boots. Rachel's brownies at the Rev picnic were the best I have ever had.

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  8. Rachel's pies really are something special. Enjoy!

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  9. Pecan pie is the best, whether you say it "pee-can" or "puh-cahn".

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  10. I hereby submit my name for the role of impartial judge in the pecan pie duel.

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  11. Oh man, this sounds awesome! Count me in! Between me, Blackdog and UTRider we have 3 judges- it'll be like American Idol Pie!

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