Seedlings, puppy attack and apple pie in an apple!

My seedlings are doing very well! My Turnips and several other things are looking just dandy! I had taken to do a few science experiments with the bottom of lettuce, celery, and green onions with wonderful results!





I went out earlier this week to stake out my veggie garden with mediocre results due to a surprise attack of the puppies! I had my favorite tape measure in hand and dropped it to grab a stick to mark my lines. One of the dogs thought it was a new toy and she ran with it. Of course her sister wanted to play too, so off I was chasing the two girls! I finally retrieved my tape measure, when I noticed my right glove was left where I was working... You guessed it! It didn't go unnoticed by my furry pals and away I went again to grab my glove. After a vigorous workout of running after the pups. I was back on track... By then Terry arrived to see me looking rather frazzled and not much work done. He just laughed when I shared the adventure time that was had. With his help and the dogs inside we were able to get the job done. I hope to have my herb garden mapped out soon too!

Over the course of the last few weeks, I believe I have successfully made some type of new meal or dessert at least twice a week! I am very pleased and feel that there is still some tweaking to be done on many of the new menu items. I made Calzone's and they were such a hit we have had them the last two pizza nights! Super simple and I will have to post the recipe another time.

I had a hankering for apple pie a few days back and recalled this adorable looking apple pie baked in an apple! Yes, the apple!

 UH-OH!

 Looks pitiful and I ended up cutting through this one...

 My helper!

 Done!

After some searching on the web I found it! And tried it! I won't be doing these again any time soon. As cute as they were, the work involved was a bit much. I could have made 2 whole apple pies by the time I got the 4 apples cored and scooped out. I managed to break my melon baller as I started on apple two, so I improvised with a spoon... Definitely not a great substitute! But I was determined to make my pie and eat it too! The results were nummy!

Find it here-

http://domesticdilettante.com/2012/01/11/applepie/

Step 1: Cut off the top of 4 apples off and discard. Remove the inside of each apple with a spoon or melon baller very carefully, as to not puncture the peel.

If you’re a skilled interior apple excavator, salvage as much as you can so you can use it for Step 2.  I, on the other hand, am not skilled so I just had to throw my interior apples away and chop up additional apples for filling.

This recipe will make 4 baked apple pies (in the apple).

Step 2: Remove skin from remaining apple(s) and slice very thinly. These apple pieces will give you the additional filling needed to fill the four apples you are baking.

Mix sliced apples with sugars and cinnamon in a bowl. If you prefer more or less cinnamon make adjustments as desired. Same goes for the sugar.

Scoop sliced apples into hollow apples.

Step 3: Roll out pie crust and slice into 1/4 inch strips.  You can also add a strip of pastry inside the top of the apple almost like a liner to add a little more texture/sweetness to the pie.

Cover the top of the apple in a lattice pattern with pie crust strips.

Step 4: Place apples in an 8×8 pan.  Add just enough water to the cover the bottom of the pan.

Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and sliced apples are soft.

 

How neat does that look? The entire thing is edible and best served with ice cream if you ask me.  Enjoy!

But again I don't think I will do these again soon. For now I will stick to my tried and true apple pie... Of course those apple pies on a stick do look adorable...