Stranger In a Strange Pan | Episode 6: Happy National Pie Day!

[puckandpie]

[Unlike previous episodes, Bitty is clearly in his kitchen instead of his living room, various baking implements neatly arranged on the counter in front of him along with a glass canister of sugar, a tin of cornstarch, a ramekin of egg wash, and half a stick of butter. Dressed in a red and white apron, Bitty waves happily at the camera then rests his hand atop the counter.]

Hey, y'all, welcome back! Last time we talked, I promised a happier installment and, while there's been quite a lot of upheaval here lately, which I'll get into of course, a promise is a promise.

But, let's start this out on a high note, shall we? Y'all. It's National Pie Day!

Now, I realize this may not apply anymore seein' as no one really knows exactly what country we're even in, but back where I'm from, National Pie Day is January 23rd and I see no reason to change that just because I'm stuck here. In fact, it works even better this year as I've been asked to bake some pies for Dean Winchester's birthday party!

I say asked, but it was more like. Well. Like a request from God himself.

Now, I'm not even sure what I believe anymore as far as all that goes, especially lately, but I used to go to church all the time back in Madison and, as far as I know, my mama still goes, and I know better than to ignore or deny any request made by an angel.

Yes, you heard me right. An angel.

He showed up right in the middle of my living room. Luckily, I recognized him right away and thank goodness I wasn't in the middle of anything embarrassing, but let me tell you, when an angel requests something, you do not say no.

Not that I would've anyway, but that's beside the point.

[Here Bitty holds up a bowl of cherries, still smiling wide.]
So in celebration of National Pie Day, y'all are gonna learn a little bit about how to bake a cherry pie! I'm making some different kinds later -- strawberry rhubarb, nutella, grasshopper, and probably a salted caramel cookie pie -- but for now, we're going to focus on cherry because, if any of y'all know Dean, you know that's his absolute favorite.

Now, the first thing you're gonna wanna do is prepare your crust. For this recipe, you'll need two of about the same size -- one for the bottom and one for the top. I went ahead and made mine last night so we won't go through that right now, but here's kinda what they should look like.

[Bitty reaches out of frame to grab an eight inch pan lined with pale golden, uncooked crust, holding it up for the camera briefly before setting it aside and then using two hands to hold up a second, smaller circle of dough before also setting it aside.
These are our bottom and top halves. Voila!

Now we're gonna work on the filling.

Cherries aren't really in season at the moment so I had to settle for buying some frozen. I suppose, in this town, I could look into seeing if we have any wizards or mages who can maybe magic up some fresh fruit, but I haven't gotten around to that. Maybe I'll next Simon next time I see him.

[Turning toward the stove to his right, Bitty dumps the bowl of cherries into a saucepan and uses a wooden spoon to even them out before covering the pan.]
Now, you'll want to heat up the cherries until they get sort of mushy, which will probably take awhile.

[Bitty goes back to facing the camera after grabbing a mixing bowl out of frame and starts measuring out sugar and cornstarch as he continues talking.]
I think Simon and I are okay, by the way. I saw him a few days ago. He... You know, it's strange seeing him around. Every time I do, I feel a little sad we ended things. He was so nice to me and I really... I really liked kissing him as silly as I know that sounds.

And I know I made-- we made the right choice. I know he's happy and that's what really matters.

But it still hurts a little.

[He's stirring the sugar and cornstarch in the bowl now, pausing only to reach over and lift the lid on the cherries briefly, checking their consistency before turning his attention back to the camera.]
Anyway, he's happy and I'm sure Baz is ecstatic though I haven't talked to him at all and don't really intend to. Honestly, part of me wishes I'd never met him that first time so I didn't know he can actually be nice when he wants to be. It'd be easier to just be bitter.

That sounds horrible, doesn't it? It's not even his fault. It's not like he...

[Frowning down at the bowl, Bitty trails off and continues stirring for a few moments before letting out a sigh and looking up again.]
Anyway, as soon as the cherries are heated up and really really mushy, this mix of sugar and cornstarch should be poured in the mix. These'll get there in just a few minutes.

In the meantime... oh! Goodness, I about forgot to mention a good thing that happened a few days ago. Better than good, actually. It was incredible.

So Derek got this potion from a guy here. A magical guy, of course, though I'm not sure if he's a wizard or what -- there really is all sorts here in Darrow. Anyway, it's this mix that, after you drink it, turns you into a wolf for a few hours. And Derek gave some of it to me to try. I was nervous at first, but it was.. oh gosh, it was amazing. I'd never realized just how freeing it can be to not have to think at all, to just run and feel the wind in your fur, and play.

[Bitty's face flushes slightly pink and he rubs the back of his wrist against his brow for a second as he lets out a quiet, awkward laugh.]
And it was... I mean, right before and right after were sort of awkward, but during... my, it was just.

I hope Derek will want to do it again. He said he has enough, but. I mean. Obviously, he has other friends I'm sure he'll want to share that with. It was just so incredible. And exactly what I needed after everything over the past few weeks. I mean, if you need a review feel free to follow a link at the bottom of the screen to the last installment, but, believe it or not, things actually got a little worse there for awhile.

Uhm.

So that guy I mentioned before? Lee? He's... Well, he's my friend who was -- or maybe still is -- dating the guy I randomly kissed over New Year's Even. Turns out he's... he has cancer. Lee, I mean. Not the guy I kissed.

He's had it for years, actually. And it's terminal. He didn't want to tell me, but I sorta found out by accident.

And it's. I mean.

It really isn't about me, of course. I've only known him for about a month. But, it's. I don't know. It's hard not to think about it even though I know Lee would rather I didn't.

Goodness, anyway. Back to pie!

[Quickly turning back to the stove, Bitty lifts the lid on the cherries.]
Oh, perfect. This is about what it should look like.

[Bitty brings the saucepan close the camera, tilting it slightly so that the liquified cherries can be seen before he turns down the heat just a little and sets the pan on a trivet.]
Now, we'll add our sugar and cornstarch and about an eighth a tablespoon of almond extract, mix it all up, and heat it on low for a little longer until it's nice and thick.

[As he speaks, Bitty carefully stirs in the mix from his bowl before setting the saucepan back on the burner, continuing to stir slowly. He's quite for a long moment, still staring at the mix before he starts talking again.]
So, uhm. I suppose the biggest thing to happen recently is Jack.

I think I've mentioned him here before. Maybe a few weeks ago when I was talking about all the people back home. See, he was... well, he's a teammate. From Samwell. Our captain, actually.

And he's here now.

[Bitty sighs and bites his lip, leaning over to get a better look at the mix as he stirs. He pulls it from the burner a moment later, tilting the pan this way and that, testing.]
If it's too watery at this point, feel free to add a little more cornstarch, and if it's a little too thick, add a tiny bit of water. This is looking pretty good to me though so we'll go ahead and just let it cool for a bit.

[After setting the saucepan back on the trivet, Bitty flips off the burner and wipes his hands on his apron. He turns back to the camera and takes a deep breath.]
I should be happy Jack's here. And I am! I mean, it's nice having someone from home, but it's. I mean, if I had a choice of who might show up here, Jack would probably near the bottom of the list. And not because I don't like him at all. I do like him. We've never been best friends or anything, but he's a great teammate and an amazing captain. And it's really great to see him.

It's just. He doesn't belong here.

Well, none of us belong here, obviously, but Jack...

Jack had plans. Dreams. And I'm not sayin' that other people here don't have their own dreams, but. Maybe it feels different because I know Jack. I know what he's gone through, at least a little bit of it.

Needless to say, he's not taking the transition very well.

I'm... I'm worried about him.

[Frowning, Bitty lets out another breath and holds his hand above the saucepan, testing the warmth before turning to grab one of the crust pans from offscreen.]
Once your filling is cool, you want to pour it into your crust. Try to make it as even as possible and then drop a few bits of butter all along the top.

[Demonstrating, Bitty uses a spatula to spread the filling around evenly then slices off bits of butter, placing them atop the mix. Next, he grabs a pastry brush and dips it into the egg wash before using it to moisten the edge of the crust.]
This is just a simple egg wash to help the bottom half of the crust stick to the top half. Now here comes the tricky part.

[Falling quiet, Bitty grabs the other half of the crust and very, very carefully drapes it over his pie before lightly pinching it together with the edge of the bottom crust all the way around.

Once done, he grabs a butter knife from out of frame, glancing up at the camera briefly before cutting small slits all along the top.]
You can either cut one big slit across the top or a few small ones -- it doesn't really matter so long as there's some way for it to breathe while it's cooking. I prefer smaller ones because it looks a little nicer, I think. And you can get creative if you'd like.

Lastly, sprinkle a little bit of sugar over the top and it's good to go in the oven!

[Bitty demonstrates, giving the camera a bright smile as he lifts the pie up with both hands and then turns to slide it into the oven.]
Just pop it in for about 50 minutes on 375 degrees, until the crust is a nice golden brown.

I won't make y'all wait to see how it turns out, but I'll post a picture once it's done. By the way, just scroll down a little and you'll find the recipe typed up for easy use! I'd love to read your own experiences if you don't mind postin' them.

Until next time, I hope y'all are having a wonder National Pie Day and I'll see you again soon!