Mmmmmmm...Pie!

[discoprincess]

Apr 22, 2007 18:43:21 GMT -4 LAX said:

Our of curiosity I once made a mock apple pie on the back of the Ritz Cracker box. It was a whole lotta Why God, Why? Why make a fake apple pie from crackers when the real things are readily available and so much better. I should look into the history of that pie. Maybe it was invented by bakers suffering from a shortage of fresh produce or something?

Maybe it was a Depression-era recipe.

I remember being like when I saw the recipe even as a kid.

[chonies]

I just asked another coworker (technically southern, but from Florida) about the pie and cheese combo and got a side-eye and more dubiousness. I should put a sign up outside my office: Beware, pie-based interrogation on the inside. Or better yet...have a cheese and pie party.

I'm dealing with tedium this morning so researching Ritz mock apple pie has been my reward. I haven't been able to find a definitive analysis of it, other than the persistence of the Depression/World War II rationing ideas, neither of which really make complete sense because sugar was rationed in WWII, and lemons are/were harder to get than apples. I think there is probably not a reason, other than food chemists and home economists collaborating to sell more crackers.

[LAX]

chonies, now I'm imagining a Peggy Olson like character getting the Ritz account and some McCann a-hole telling her to home-ec it up and she's "I'm home-ec the shit out of this, I'm gonna turn it into pie"
Yes, I'm missing Mad Men.

[mrspickles]

I've seen a recipe for "Mock Apple Pie" that dated back to the 1850's, and it said something about how it was for times 'when apples were scarce.'

I have never tried any version, so I don't know if it's the same thing, but I am intrigued by the work arounds and substitutions that cooks have come up with to accommodate scarcity or rationing or just seasonality.

[azaleaqueen]

I've never made or eaten Ritz cracker pie, but I've heard it's good. You make it the same way you would apple pie, only using the crackers for the apples. I think yo're supposed to eat it with whipped cream.

[tabby]

My mom had a "party from hell" once, and made the Ritz Mock Apple Pie. She said it tasted like...apple pie, probably because of the spices.

(The Party From Hell included other delights like Tater Tots and Spam. Everyone had a BLAST. My mom has some odd friends, and my family is certifiably weird.)

[chonies]

I can't find it now, but I read an article last night--maybe from The Stranger?--and the writer described it as a lemon and cinnamon pie with a texture you have to get used to. It's been described elsewhere as a 'chemical pie' in that it's all mental associations with apple pie, as well as expectation.

ETA: Brief article from Saveur that nods to a mid-19th century origin.

[kateln]

I don't like apple pie with or without cheese, but a grilled cheese sandwhich with sharp cheddar, bacon, and granny smith apples (that are still crisp)? Hello honey!

Key lime, pecan, and lemon meringue are my favorite pies. Can we count pavlova as pie?

[famvir]

Just a clarification for the lard/shortening crust. I use half lard half shortening, because, as chonies mentioned, the lard can have a slightly meaty taste to it. BUT the shortening is hydrogenated, which is not good for you. It's the bad fat. Lard is actually healthier.

Crisco is now non hydrogenated, no trans fat, but it no longer works for pie dough. So if you are using shortening for pie crust, buy the store brand/bad for you kind. I use the lard/shortening blend because it tastes good, but is a little better for you heart. No one said it's good for you..... But it's not as bad for you.

On a plus side, lard is more forgiving than shortening, so more likely to get beautiful flaky instead of tough if you overwork it. Win win.

[chonies]

I wouldn't count a pavlova as pie. Not that it diminishes it any way.