Momma’s Work is Never Done
There is no such thing as a Momma that isn’t a working Mom. From sun up ’till sundown Momma’s are workin’ it. Then all through the night they are on call. In the drudgery of motherhood it can feel bleak. It’s so easy to lose ourselves to the daily routine day in and day out. Sometimes I wonder where these dark bags under my eyes and messy buns came from. It’s easy to look in the mirror and wonder who the heck that lady is. Perhaps we realize for the first time as Mommas how much our own Mothers did for us. And perhaps we realize that we NEED our Mommas more than ever before too. Many women in our lives are mother figures to us. I am lucky to say I have numerous women I see as my Mommas. So many women have shaped who I am today. I have had mentors and grandmothers and friends who have inspired me and built me up. Now in the throws of motherhood I pull from their strength and the memories of lessons learned at the hands of those women who came before me.
Pie is like Mom’s warm Hug
As I work on recipes and baking especially, I realize that I am a terrible baker but I have pie down. Pie is something my Mom made often. Mostly a classic sugar free apple pie. But because I spent so many days watching my Mom make pie I have a foundation. I think about the floured marble stone that is set in my Mom’s countertop. If I remember right it was set there just for rolling pie crusts out and keeping the dough cold. More birthday pies were made at our house than any cake ever. I remember sitting at the counter learning to peel the apples with a paring knife. Mom always made the longest thinnest strand of apple peel. To this day watching someone peel and apple is soothing to me. I can see my Mom’s beautiful hands with her simple gold wedding band breaking the butter into the flour and creating a perfectly crumbly texture. To this day I cannot create that texture by hand, I am a food processor crust kinda gal. Mom made rolling dough out seem seamless and easy. Not very many times did I ever see her crust fall apart. It has only been in the last year that I have finally learned to roll a crust properly, it only took me 29 years of trial and MANY errors. But I think I finally have MY formula down. It’s a little different than Mom’s method but it will be my kids memory of how their Mom made pie.
Sweet Potato Pot Pie
It was a fancy night when Mom made chicken pot pie. She always did a classic chicken pot pie and apple pie to follow for dessert. She would have them all baked up and sitting on the stove cooling. Like trophies just begging to be cut into. As a kid I always imagined swiping one like in cartoons. I never ever did because I knew there would be hell to pay, but I thought about it. Those pies were so pretty with their perfectly pleated crusts and fillings that sometimes came through the tops, iconic memory for me. Well I get a little bit more adventurous with my pot pies. I have a tenancy to imagine what I could come up with that would be a curiosity. There are things that I get stuck on. Like sweet potato I am totally obsessed with that root. It’s like what can I put that tuber into next? Then there are the caramelized onions. Always sweet onions cooked down to create a browned sweetness that is irresistible. And could trick any non-onion eaters, but I still don’t understand how you could loath onions. Finally I am all about creating an herbal layer in my savory foods. For this pie I went with thyme and sage in the gravy. I also added thyme as I roasted my carrots and sweet potatoes pulling out any extra moisture that could make the bottom soggy. Nobody likes a soggy bottom crust. This is a real palate pleaser and I can’t wait for you to try it.
Now that you have a perfect pot pie ready for Mother’s Day dinner I wanted to share with you a book that really encompasses motherhood. The ups and downs and things that make us tick. “Once There Was a Mom” will bring tears to momma’s eyes as it takes you on a journey of one Mom and her babies. It talks about the drudgery and the highlights. Then reminds you of the beauty and the reality. And it’s filled with beautiful pictures. This would be a gift to be remembered and turned to during the year as a quick pick me up. Add a note in the cover and it’s a gift ready to go. We will be giving away a copy of “Once There Was a Mom” and a few surprises to go with it from this Momma to you! Keep it for yourself of give it to a deserving Momma. Just know we are celebrating you ladies out there raising the world. So much love for all you Mommas! a Rafflecopter giveaway
- 2 pie crusts of your choice
- 1 egg + 1 Tbs water for egg wash
- 1 medium sweet potato sliced
- 3 carrots sliced
- ½ cup green peas
- Sprig of fresh thyme
- Olive oil
- SAGE GRAVY:
- 3 pieces cooked bacon
- ½ a sweet onion
- 3 Tbs flour
- 3 Tbs butter
- ½ cup cream
- 4-5 leaves fresh sage
- Start by making your pie crusts.
- Blind bake bottom crust for 10 min.
- Then add a thin layer of egg wash once cooled.
- Roast the carrots and sweet potatoes tossed in olive oil, salt, and thyme at 400* for 15 min.
- Cool until ready to fill the pie crust.
- Make caramelized onions in olive oil and salt. Carefully browning without burning. (med/low heat)
- Add the sage and butter to the onions and melt.
- Next add the flour and create a roux.
- Add the cream and cooked crumbled bacon mix well.
- Let cool and remove the sage leaves before adding gravy to the pie.
- Begin filling the pie by adding a layer of sweet potato, carrots, and peas.
- Then a layer of gravy. Repeat until pie crust is filled.
- Add the top layer of pie crust and bake at 350* F for 50-60 min depending on your pie crust.