The Pie Project

Every year, around my November birthday, I start to think about things I want to do or change in the upcoming year. 2 years ago I was pregnant with my second daughter so obviously she was the main focus of my thoughts.  Last year, my husband and I were planning to make a major move to be closer to family so that was top of mind.

But this year, I was at a loss- all my major changes were done for a while.  And then I realized that 2013 didn’t need to be about something serious.  It could be about fun, it could be about something sweet.  It could be about pie.

I realized that in the last few years I’ve been so wrapped up in my job and raising small children that hobbies had taken a back seat.  I love to cook.  I also love to bake but I didn’t grow up in a family that baked from scratch; I’m always jealous of those people who bring their Grandma’s tried and tested baked good to a party or a dinner.

Over the course of the year, I am going to make 52 different pies completely from scratch.  When possible I’m going to try to use ingredients local to us here in Connecticut. (And yes, there are easily 52 different kinds of pie which is a question everyone asks me. That’s even after excluding things I don’t like.)

As for the motherhood part, I’m bringing my kids along for the ride. In the immortal words of Evan Kleiman (who bakes a pie a DAY every summer):

“Because food – and, arguably, pie in particular – is all about being at home. …Pie is grandma’s house, it’s mom’s kitchen, it’s our own messy countertop with flour strewn about. And above all else it’s sitting down at the table with the people we love and digging in.”

And it’s about getting small children to roll out dough for me so I don’t need to wear myself out.

Kleiman also says we must forgive our grandmothers their pie failings and be the pie baking grandmother we wish we had. In 2013 I plan to remedy that- in plenty of time for my hypothetical grandchildren.

So when you see the lady with a basket full of flour, unsalted butter and sugar at the market, it just might be me!