COUNTDOWN ~ Smoking Pies

DAY 333



I had a special order for two coconut cream pies for the birthday of a family member. I make my own pie crust from scratch. That is always a hit or miss...just can't get the amount of cold water just right. It is either too wet or not wet enough. It was almost perfect but the first bit of pastry ripped as I lowered it into the pie plate. Some patching needed to be done but was fairly pristine by the time I finished the fluted edge. My hubby bought me a "pie chain" that is used to weigh down the pastry while baking the shell so it doesn't puff up and shrinkage from the edges is minimal. As I was doing two and had only one chain, I took out my trusty dried beans as a weight. I used waxed paper to keep the chain and beans off the surface of the pastry so that it didn't stick. The oven was set to 450oF. After a few minutes I noticed that smoke was circulating inside the oven. On closer inspection I didn't see any flames so just allowed the pastry to continue cooking. I was concerned and opened the oven door several times to make sure I wasn't creating a camp fire...all the while spewing smoke into the kitchen and onwards. Poor hubby emerged from the bedroom and thought something was wrong with his vision...and asked what I was trying to do once he realised the entire upstairs was engulfed in a blue haze.(LOL). Didn't set off the smoke alarm though, which was great because I would of had to deal with a dog that quakes so bad at the sound you would think she would shed her skin (story for another day)! Long story short the last time I used the oven I cooked sausage (uncovered) and, of course, they spewed their oily guts all over my oven...hence the smoke!

Now, this is a self-clean oven and Allie has not indulged in this time-saving feature. Scared, damn right...not fathoming the idea of really setting my kitchen on fire. I thought I would check online for a method that would allow me to not have to use the self-clean feature but not cause any damage to the interior of the oven. Good old baking soda (make a spreadable paste by adding water); leave on 12-24 hours; use a non-abrasive scraper to help remove lifted residue; can finish clean-up with vinegar. You must use rubber gloves which is only common sense and of course lots of elbow grease. There are instructions on how to clean the racks separately; involves your bathtub, large towels, hot water and dishwashing detergent....again, time and elbow grease! I'll have to pencil that into my calendar.

Back to the pies...no issue preparing the custard so I was quite proud of myself. Wasn't quite set so methinks cream pies should be made the day before rather than day of an event.