Celebrate Pi Day With Apple Berry Pie

Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 by

It’s pretty safe to assume that we don’t need a reason to bake pie. We could eat it all day, every day. But if you’re hesitating at all, you’ll be relieved to know today is Pi Day. What is Pi Day you may ask?

Pi Day is the annual celebration of the mathematical constant Π. To be a little more specific, Pi is the ratio between the diameter and circumference of a circle. We celebrate this holiday today, on March 14 (3/14), because 3.14 are also the first three digits of Π!

Generally, Pi Day is celebrated with pie. Creative right?!? Well… maybe not, but who cares? Not only are pies delicious, but they’re usually a circle too. For us, festivities include activities such as baking pie, talking about pie, eating pie, and maybe even a pie in the face (be careful though, not everyone is a fan of that last one ;-D). So, like you, we’ll totally use Pi Day as an excuse to get at some scrumptious, pie.

This recipe for Apple Berry Pie was concocted by our resident baker and shipping expert Lori. Lori’s Apple Berry Pie is chock-full of apple slices and whole berries: cherries, blueberries, and raspberries. We would say it tastes like an explosion of tart, fruity goodness, but that would not do justice to how good this pie truly is!

This Apple Berry pie’s filling is gooey and sweet, with a crumble on top adding a satisfying spicy crunch to the fruit inside. It’s so tasty, we bet you’ll be having a slice for breakfast with your coffee or tea! Give it a try with our March Roaster’s Blend. The combination of piquant Panama Boquete & sweet City Roast Costa Rican coffee perfectly complements the fruity spice of this delectable pie. They go together like two pies in a pod. Give this tasty recipe a try, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

 

Ingredients:

1 frozen pie crust

For the fruit:

2 cups blueberries                             2 cups raspberries

1 cup cherries                                   2 apples, chopped

2 tablespoons flour                            1 tablespoon bourbon

½ teaspoon clove                              ½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon salt                                ½ teaspoon ginger

½ teaspoon chile powder                    1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the topping:

¾ cups + 2 tablespoons butter (in liquid form)

½ cup of brown sugar

1 ¼ cup rolled oats

½ cup flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

 

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pie crust in a baking dish. Toss the apples with the flour and spices and spread in a single layer in the baking dish.
  2. Whisk the butter and brown sugar together until smooth. Place the rolled oats, pecans, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Add the coconut oil and brown sugar mixture; stir until combined.
  3. Pour the oat mixture over the apples to cover them evenly. Bake for 40-50 minutes until the topping is browning slightly. Let stand for 15-20 minutes.

 

Warm Up With A Cup Of Glogg

Friday, January 15th, 2016 by

Glogg

Our first snow here in New Jersey may have been a light dusting that melted quickly, but we’re taking the opportunity to celebrate winter with this warm, spicy, and boozy Scandinavian drink. Glogg literally means “to glow,” which is exactly what you can expect from your face after a cup or two. It packs a punch. Unlike German mulled wine, vodka and port are added after wine is simmered with spices to ensure no loss of alcoholic potency. Flavored with orange peel, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon, the aroma is a wonderful greeting after shoveling or brushing off a flake or two as the case may be.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vodka
  • 1 bottle inexpensive red wine, dry
  • 1/2 cup port
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 10 cardamom pods
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 cloves, whole
  • 2 star anise (optional)
  • 1/2 orange (zest only)
  • 2 generous slices fresh ginger
  • For serving: 1 cup sliced almonds and 1 cup raisins

Directions

Add the orange peel, spices, ginger, and wine to a large saucepan. Heat on low to just below a simmer. Stir in the sugar and cover. Leave the mixture on low heat for 30 minutes, then add the port and vodka and heat until warm. Strain into a heat safe bowl or pitcher. Glogg is traditionally ladled over nuts and raisins (which you can soak in vodka while the wine simmers) in a small cup. You can skip this if you prefer not to eat things at the bottom of your glass. You can easily prepare the wine ahead of time, reheating gently before adding the vodka and port to serve.

A word about the ingredients: there are many variations on this recipe, and it may take some experimentation to create the sweetness and spice level you prefer. The port and sugar make for a sweet drink, so stick with a less sweet wine and adjust the sugar level to your preference. Star anise tends to dominate flavor wise, and may be added at the end (rather than simmered) as a garnish only for a more subtle flavor.

For a nonalcoholic version, check out this recipe for cranberry glogg.

Smoked Coffee Barbecue Sauce

Thursday, July 23rd, 2015 by

BBQBlog

If you haven’t tried smoked coffee yet, here’s another reason: it’s fun to cook with. Available during the warmer months of the year, our smoked coffee is wood-smoked in an actual smokehouse and tastes exactly like campfire coffee tastes in your dreams (minus the overcooked bitterness and mouthful of grounds). Coffee is a great way to add complexity to recipes, and the smokiness  complements more robust flavors, perfect for meats as a rub or marinade, or as an addition to chili.

This recipe uses our standard Smoked Coffee blend, although we also offer French Roast Smoked Coffee if you prefer the flavor of a dark roast, as well as Maple Bacon and Vanilla Bourbon Smoked Coffee. The result is sweet, tangy, smoky, with a subtle spiciness from the ginger. If you like heat, kick it up a notch with some cayenne or finely chopped chili peppers.

What you will need

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup brewed smoked coffee (strong)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon molasses

1 teaspoon grated ginger 

1/2 ounce dark (70%) chocolate

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, coffee, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, and ginger and bring to a low simmer, stirring occasionally, over medium heat. Lower the heat and stir in the chocolate and smoked paprika until chocolate is melted, then let simmer over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until flavors have mellowed and melded, 5-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Recipe adapted from Serious Eats.