I've never considered myself a person who wants to like what everyone else likes. I'm comfortable following my own star; however, there are times when I find myself longing to agree. Take sushi: everyone (it seems) loves sushi. My friends go out for sushi dinners, and I want to like it because I want to participate in this experience. But everytime I eat sushi all I can think about is the giant mass of sticky rice, seaweed, and goodness knows what else rolling around my mouth, threatening to choke me at any moment. Why, oh why, must sushi rolls be so big? And then there's movies like The Dark Knight. It seems as though that movie was universally applauded and liked, but I'm still waiting to get those three hours of my life back, and unfortunately I don't think that's possible. It's good to form your own opinions, yes, but I tend to think that when many people like something and I don't, I must be the flawed component.
Now, there's the caramel pumpkin pie. Everyone liked this pumpkin pie . . . but it just fell short for me . . . very, very short. I followed the recipe, and I think I was spot-on with the caramel. Full disclosure: I am, shall we politely say, challenged, when it comes to blind baking pie crusts. I may have slightly overcooked the pie crust while I was blind baking it. Actually, I think that the oven in my house in Houston tends towards the very hot side. It's probably time for me to get an oven thermometer. Crust aside though, it was the filling that fell short for me. All I could taste was pumpkin and rum and burned sugar. I wanted the pumpkin filling to be spicy and caramel-y. My dad, who has been just begging for a pumpkin pie, said if I increased the spices and didn't cook the caramel to such a dark color, it would probably be better. I wish I liked this pie, but it just missed the mark in the M house. Now, don't get me wrong, it wasn't an unmitigated failure. There isn't much pie left in the fridge so someone must be eating it, but in the meantime I think I'll test some different pumpkin pie recipes. In fact, the sour cream pumpkin tart in BFMHTY looks pretty tasty to me. Janell chose this week's recipe -- do check out her post on the caramel pumpkin pie. When I read her notes I thought that perhaps I'm not crazy after all. I think I might make this again using the second method Janell used.
You know who did enjoy a little bite of the pie? Duke. Then again, Duke likes everything I make! Chocolate labs are great, don't you think?
And Oliver liked it too. Look at him licking his chops.
14 comments:
The crust on your pie is awesome. And Duke and Oliver are the cutest!
I was admiring the crust, too! (this pie wouldn't have been my favorite, either...)
Ooooh yay, another person who doesn't like sushi! You're not alone there - I too hate how big the rolls and as much as I try, sushi just doesn't do it for me. That said, I did enjoy the Dark Knight and this pie :) Your pie looks wonderful, love the crust with those leaves. Very festive!
Don't worry, you're not alone! I did not like this pie either! Not even a little bit. At least it made Duke and David happy!!!
that's too bad...it definitely doesn't taste tradtional, but i did like it a lot. you made such a nice leaf crust!!
the crust is so pretty! sorry you didn't dig it
God bless you, that pie Duke and Oliver....OMG! Seriously!
This was pretty good in my opinion, but I think I was expecting more from the caramel. I wanna try that tart, too! Looks so wonderful.
I had to laugh when I read your post because you sound a lot like me. I can't even stand the thought of sushi and there are many, many movies that everyone seems to like that I don't. I didn't even bother with The Dark Knight because I knew I wouldn't like it!
Anyway, I'm sorry you didn't like the pie. It think it's a tricky one--especially when you think you're following the recipe exactly.
All that aside, your crust design looks awesome! I'll have to steal your idea some time as my crust never looks decorative and pretty. :)
I feel that way about watermelon. Everyone loves it but me.
Anyway, sorry about the disappointing pie. They can't all be winners, I guess. Nice try, though.
mmm! caramel aaand pumpkin...this sounds incredible!
Not a pumpkin fan myself, but I did like this pie as I could taste the caramel more than the pumpkin. Your crust is so pretty with the cutouts...I need to be more creative like that. I am with you on the whole sushi thing...why is it so darn big??? To put all that once in one's mouth goes against everything I was ever taught about good table manners. It's just plain uncomfortable. Somehow asking for a knife and fork seems in bad taste...lol.
First, I like some sushi but yes, I have had that sensation when you have that huge, throat gagging piece in your mouth and you don't know whether to try and swallow or chew. Ugh. I love pumpkin pie and haven't made this one yet but I've read yours and Cathy's post (she isn't a fan either) and now I don't know whether to rise to the challenge or just defer to my usual recipe from la Madeleine's. Btw, its pretty delicious but no rum/caramel. I'll share if you want. You're a fellow Texan and shucks, you know la Madeleine.
AmyRuth
I love your sweet puppy photos. Aren't they the best ever?
Love the rich color of your filling but that crust is absolute perfection. BRAVO!!!
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