Apple Rhubarb Pie

Abandoned Edibles

Rhubarb stalks; apples (abandoned)

Immaculate Baking Co. pie crust (on sale!)

(additional ingredients: brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, butter, spices, Greek Gods honey yogurt, etc.)

What I did: holy crow, I made a pie!  Well...kind of.  As those of you who know me realize, this is a BIG DEAL.  Folks, I do not bake.  I am so NOT a baker--I generally cower in fear at the sight of measuring spoons and flour sifters.  I feel totally off my game and perpetually ill-prepared when it comes to mastering eggs and flour and sugars in an oven.  However, in the span of 24 hours I received some rhubarb from a co-worker's home garden (thanks Amanda!) and about a dozen apples leftover from an event (long story), so I figured it was time to lay my fears to rest.  Plus, I was able to totally cheat by using a pre-made pie crust: it's baby steps, people.  And you know what?  Maybe next time I'll actually make my pie crust, instead of buying it for 2 bucks (on sale!) at the co-op.  Maybe.

However, for this round, I decided to keep it as simple as possible.  The general 'recipe' was easy: I simply peeled and sliced up about 10 apples, cubed the rhubarb into small pieces, and sauteed them both in butter, sugars, and spices.  I was worried that my filling was going to turn out runny, so I thickened my fruit filling with a little bit of cornstarch by making a slurry.  I followed the directions on the cheater pie crust box, rolled out my dough, filled it, and stuck it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.

The Verdict
Okay, so although I totally cheated by buying a pre-made pie crust (hey!  it was on sale!), I DID use up both of my abandoned edible crops of rhubarb and apples, AND...the pie was delicious!  I was so worried it was going to be a total disaster, but alas, it was tasty.  I also feel as if this pie is perhaps the stepping stone to future baked goods: although my hand was held via the use of a pre-made pie crust, I now feel more empowered to try additional baked goods in the abandoned edibles sphere!  Well...maybe.

In closing, I will leave you with this: the secret ingredient to this dessert?  The deliciously awesome dollop of Greek Gods' honey yogurt on top of a slice!  Mmmm mmmmm, this stuff is dyn-o-mite, and I'm not even a yogurt fan!  (seriously, it grosses me out...I think I ate too much of it when I was a little girl, when my mother would pick up single-serving flavored Yoplaits on sale from the grocery store, 4 for $1...oh yes, I remember it vividly!)  At any rate, the Greek yogurt was the perfect contrast to the sweet apples and tart rhubarb.  Decedent and delicious.

Taste: 7
Appearance: 7
Creativity: 5

Improvements for next time: fine, fine...you all win...I'll try making my own crust.  Bah humbug!