Story: Grandma’s Blue Ribbon Pie

As Emily prepared for the contest, she could only picture her grandmother’s face beaming with pride as she won the blue ribbon year after year. Emily never had the chance to learn the full recipe, as her grandmother passed away before she could teach her all her secrets.

Emily started baking early in the morning, but as the day went on and the pies kept coming out badly, she became more and more desperate. She tried to remember all the little tips and tricks her grandmother used to make the perfect pie, but nothing seemed to work.

With only a few hours left until the contest, Emily had to think fast. She couldn’t bear the thought of coming home empty-handed, so she decided to improvise. She added some of her favorite ingredients to the mix, hoping it would give the pie a unique flavor.

The result was better than she expected. The crust was flaky and golden, and the filling was sweet with a hint of cinnamon. Emily felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that she had put her own spin on her grandmother’s recipe.

After what felt like an eternity, the judges finally announced the winner. Emily held her breath as they called out her name, and she let out a scream of excitement when she won the grand prize.

As Emily walked home with her blue ribbon in hand, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for her grandmother’s legacy and the lessons she had taught her. Emily had learned that sometimes creativity and determination can lead to something even better than what we expect.

Emily grinned from ear to ear as she strolled down the fairgrounds. The sun was setting in the sky, casting a warm glow over everything. The smell of caramel corn and funnel cakes wafted through the air, and children ran past her with balloons and stuffed animals.

Emily’s win had given her a new sense of confidence and pride in her baking skills. She felt like her grandmother was with her, watching over her every step of the way. Emily had always felt like she never quite measured up to her grandma’s abilities, but now, she felt like she had made her proud.

As she walked towards her car, a young girl tugged on her dress. “Excuse me, miss, but are you the lady who won the pie contest?” she asked.

Emily knelt down and smiled at the girl. “Yes, I am,” she replied. 

The girl’s eyes grew wide with excitement. “Would you teach me how to bake like you? My mom says I have a real talent for it, just like you and your grandma.”

Emily’s heart swelled with warmth and joy. She knew that this was her chance to pass on her grandmother’s legacy and inspire a new generation of bakers. She took the girl’s hand and led her back to the fairgrounds.

For the rest of the evening, Emily taught the girl how to make her famous mixed berry pie. They laughed and joked together, mixing the ingredients and rolling out the dough. By the end of the night, the girl had baked her very first pie, and it tasted delicious.

Emily felt a sense of fulfillment and contentment that she had never felt before. She realized that her grandmother’s recipe was more than just a list of ingredients – it was a symbol of hope, determination, and love. And that, in the end, was the real prize.

Award Winning Mixed Berry Pie

Enjoy this delicious sweet treat bursting with the flavors of juicy blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups blueberries
• 2 cups blackberries
• 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 prepared pie crusts (store-bought or homemade)

For the topping:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9-inch pie dish by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt. Gently stir until the berries are evenly coated. Set aside for 10-15 minutes to allow the fruits to release their natural juices.
3. Meanwhile, place one pie crust in the bottom of the prepared pie dish, pressing it against the sides and ensuring there’s no air trapped underneath. Trim any excess crust.
4. Fill the pie crust with the mixed berry mixture, distributing it evenly.
5. For the top crust, you can either use it to cover the entire pie or create a lattice pattern. If using a full top crust, simply place it over the filling and gently press the edges to seal. If creating a lattice, cut the second pie crust into thin, even strips and create a crisscross pattern over the filling. Seal the crust edges.
6. Once the pie is assembled, brush the top crust with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar, which will add a delightful golden sheen and slight crunch to the finished pie.
7. Place the pie dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips, then transfer it to the preheated oven.
8. Bake the pie for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the edges start to brown too quickly, you can cover them with foil to prevent burning.
9. Once done, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours. This time allows the pie filling to set properly.
10. Serve the mixed berry pie at room temperature or slightly warm. You may choose to serve it as is or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

>> A Gift for Grandma G

The Author:

Pioneerthinking.com – Ingredients for a Simple Life.

Photo. PT, OpenClipart-Vectors