Wednesday, February 4, 2009

You want Pies with That - Literary Pie


This month’s You Want Pies With That theme was chosen by one of my favourite bloggers, Mary of The Food Librarian. Quite naturally, Mary’s theme is Literary Pies. I am an avid reader, so the decision was difficult, only because of the range of my reading material over the years. Mary also mentioned that we would get bonus points if we have visited the library in the past year – well, I belong to two book clubs and probably go to the library at least every 3 weeks. At the moment I am reading Paula Radcliffe’s autobiography, trying to keep myself motivated while battling this injury!

Anyway, after much deliberation, I delved back into my childhood, when my favourite books were Trixie Beldon books. I am the only person I know who has the whole series. I loved them so much that the covers are falling off many of them as I would re-read them so many times. I loved the adventures of Trixie, her friend Honey Wheeler and their respective brothers. I had Trixie and Honey cut out dolls as well – cut out dolls were my thing and I loved them so much more than my Daisy doll and Barbie doll. Trixie was an amateur detective and her and her friends would solve all sorts of mysteries. I quite fancied myself as a detective (I guess being a lawyer is kind of like that!), so I loved Trixie’s adventures.

One of Trixie’s mysteries was called Mystery on the Mississippi. So, my pie for the month is my take on a Mississippi mud pie. It is not truly authentic, but it tasted pretty good!!! I used Dorie Greenspan’s shortbcrust pastry for the base (a half recipe) and then made a fudgey chocolate filling. I then topped the little pies once cold with a layer of ganache. These were really good with natural yoghurt. I made 4 individual tarts and did have quite a bit of filling left over, which I baked in a pudding dish – it tasted delicious as a fudgey pudding. You could try halving the filling again, but I think the quantity may get to be too small to work with. Check out the other literary pies here.

My Mississippi Mud Pie Filling

35g dark chocolate (I used Whittakers 70% cocoa)
1/3 c brown sugar
25g butter
½ c sugar
1/3 c milk
2 tbsp golden syrup
2 whole eggs and one egg yolk

· Melt together the chocolate, butter, sugars, milk and golden syrup until combined and the sugar has dissolved. Cool a little and then beat in the eggs one at a time and then the yolk
· Chill completely
· Pour into blind baked tart cases and bake @ 180c until set (about 25 minutes)
Once cold, top with a spread of ganache made by melting cream and chocolate together (I use a ratio of 2:1 chocolate to cream – I heat the cream in the microwave for about 40 seconds, pour over the chocolate and stir until smooth).

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Tammy, I am a recent visiter to your blog, and it is great reading. Your descriptions are so delicious, I think you could convert it into a book... if you wish!
I'm a rulltime lawyer and enjoy running, though have only recently got back into it (I have 2 kids, 2 and 6), so we have some similarities (except you're some years younger...!!). I tend to enjoy making stuff, sewing, recyling... latest project making personalised tablemats (from recyled Jason placemats) for children's birthdays - includes lovely scrapbook type paper, photo and their name - idea from "world sweet world" new funky craft mag. ANYHOO... main question - how do you fit all your interests in... I flipped when I saw you belonged to 2 bookgroups too...! Keep up the good work... you are inspiring me with cooking - I see some Jandal biscuit baking for pressies on the horizon. Thanks, Tammy! PS my other favourite blog is www.tinyhappy.typepad.com.
Cheers Mary, Wellington

Jules Someone said...

I totally remember reading Trixie Belden books!

Tammy said...

Hi Mary

wow - lots of similarities there - I just dont have kids yet! I get up really early, dont have kids and also never sit still!!!! One of the book clubs is a work one, so it's at lunch times, so not too time consuming!! Feel free to e-mail me tammydotmcleodatdavenportsharbourdotcodotnz

Tammy

Chou said...

I haven't thought about Trixie in years! I spent 2nd through 4th grade reading every mystery I could find . . . and then . . . burnout. Maybe it's time to return. Lovely pie.

Anonymous said...

OMG. We have a few things in common, you and I. Baking, cooking, the legal profession, and TRIXIE!!! I was HOOKED on those books when I was a kid - much better than Nancy Drew, although I read those, too. Great post!

Carrie said...

I've never heard of those books before but the pie looks delicious! I wonder if Nancy Drew was the US version, they sound alike and I read those as a kid. Very interesting!

Jennynz said...

Ohhh that looks soooo good! YUM! I did like Trixie but I preferred the Three Investigators, even though they were boys - I wanted a clubhouse like the one they had.

Hey that bag I made for you last Christmas is from the tinyhappy blog, her stuff is way cute.

Hi Mary! Its nice to see other crafty NZ lawyers around :)

Di said...

I love Trixie Beldon, too, though I haven't read any of them in years. A couple more years and I can introduce Brianna to them. Oh, and the pie looks yummy. =)

The Food Librarian said...

Tammy,
What a wonderful pie! I just requested the book as I haven't read them!! Thank you for the introduction. And I'm so excited that you visit your local library! :) {warm heart}. Thanks for baking along with my theme! - mary the food librarian

NKP said...

It is amazing how many foodie bloggers are in the legal field!

Trixie Belden is a great inspiration for your literary pie. Looks delish.
- and cut-out dolls! I haven't thought about cut-out dolls in years.

Cakelaw said...

I like it! I never had the whole Trixie Belden series, but I had close to it - and my mother made me furious by selling them all for $20. I used to love all the big words that Mart used - made me a pain in the ass for a while by copying him!

Jacque said...

Well, I had to google Trixie Beldon to find out what she was all about. I wondered at first if she and Nancy Drew were one in the same. But it seems both series were out around the same time and they're both about a girl detective with a best friend named Honey. It looks like Nancy was perfect (and rich) and Trixie was more of a realistic character. Interesting! I learned something today thanks to you :)

Anyway, your pie sounds terrific... chocolate is always a winner.

suz said...

I've never heard of the Trixie books, but you had me and the words fudgy and pudding. Nothing wrong with that!

Natalie said...

looks so tasty, no matter what the inspiration!