I DO like apple pie and ramen.

Can't tell if I find Komforte Chocokolates disgusting or I really, really, really, really want to try them.

vinstagram: mainly work things

They let me girl up the dinner table at Virtue's DC Brau beer dinner. Let's see them try to stop me from doing it the future. 

My bar boys in the February issue of Southern Living! 

Peach pie for breakfast. Shoe paperweight. 

Reunited and it feels so good. 

Must learn how to make latte heart. 

I may have a slight crush on Emerson, Chef Dan's son. Here he is touring the kitchen with Baker Nathan.

Chef Doug and Chef Josh in napkin drawing form. Not sure if toques or crowns. 

Not much going on today so here is a photo of some pie.

I had the pie with coffee and listened to this as I pored over photos and footage for my "this was 2011" video.
Happy Thursday!

The pie I didn't try

I must admit that I am always a little hesitant to cook food for potlucks that I cannot try first. Soups, salads, entrées, cupcakes, all that jazz - easy. I can taste them first and season to my liking. Pies and cakes? That's another story. You are probably going to notice if there is a chunk missing from that cake (Oh man I love that Cosby Show cake scene).

Anyway.

I got it in my head that I wanted to make a strawberry pie for Shayna's pig roast. Strawberries equal summer, ya know? Plus, there are only three components — crust, cream cheese filling, and strawberries — you can't really go wrong with that. So, I made it. I photographed it and now I'm giving you the recipe. But please, don't ask me how it tastes because I do not know.

Strawberry pie
Crust: I used your average frozen deep dish pie crust but please feel free to make your own. You fancy folk, you.

Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened.
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp of vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. of Cognac (optional)

1 1/2 - 2 lbs of strawberries, washed and halved (or quartered)
jam for glazing (I used apricot)

1. Bake crust according to directions on packet (Or use your own delicious homemade crust). I brushed mine with an egg wash. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

2. Make filling: In a medium bowl, mix all of the filling ingredients until smooth. Spread evenly in bottom of the baked crust.

3. Place strawberries in filling. I started in the center and worked my way out but doing the opposite would probably produce a prettier and more organized pie. Do what your heart tells you!

4. Microwave jam in a small bowl for about ten to fifteen seconds. Brush onto strawberries. Chill pie for at least one hour. Garnish with sprig of mint. Drive five miles under the speed limit on hilly rural roads in fear of smashed pie all over my newly-cleaned car.

Libby: Ok, I am seriously going to pick out a concert and we are going to go together. And afterward get pie. You do not have a choice in this matter.
me: Ok, cool. I like pie. And music. And Libby. And fun photos that I get to post on the internets in a "Haha, I went here and ate this and you didn't" kind of way.
Libby: All. Those. Things.

[on wearing her Halloween blueberry pie costume to work last Friday]

Steph: This morning I couldn't fit through the front doors of the office. Someone had to help me and my president saw everything. 

"Well, hot and heavy, pumpkin pie, chocolate candy, Jesus Christ — ain't nothing please me more than you"

 Home | Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

From my favorite place in Occoquan, Mom's Apple Pie:

[via (best) text (ever)]
Justin: I done ate the rest of that pie.

As American as apple pie

me: I think I'm going to have some apple pie and ice cream.
Wheatley: What kind of pie?
me:  Dutch apple crumb
Wheatley: Vanilla ice cream?
me: Yes. Vanilla bean ice cream.
Wheatley: mmm good choice.

Side note: I can't believe I'm saying this but I'll be eating pie while I watch Avatar. You have no idea how painful it is for me to say that. I resisted for so long. *sigh. Pocahontas Smurfs.

Update: Whoa there, it is almost one in the morning. Avatar is three hours long. I usually wouldn't have a problem with that but Justin and I are meeting with the head of GMU's organic garden in the morning. Maybe I'll watch it tomorrow. Maybe.

photo via flickr