Saturday, March 14, 2009

A Homemade Life, March 14


For A Homemade Life this week, I want to share a homemade substitute for canned pie filling. I must hasten to add that I would not try to fill a pie with these fillings. They are just to use when a recipe calls for a can of raspberry, blueberry, or apple pie filling... for topping a cheesecake, say, or used as a fruity layer in a dessert. I am sorry that I don't have a homemade substitute for cherry pie filling, but there's probably one out there on the internet if you look.

Last Sunday I made a dessert that called for a can of raspberry pie filling. That is one of the most pricey kinds of canned pie filling, so I set out to devise a substitute. I tweaked a recipe I found in Make Your Own Groceries, and it worked perfectly in my dessert recipe. Here it is:

RASPBERRY PIE FILLING

3 cups frozen unsweetened raspberries
1/3 cup plus 3 Tblsp. sugar
4 1/2 Tblsp. cornstarch
3 Tblsp. lemon juice (bottled is fine)

In a heavy saucepan of appropriate size, combine all ingredients. Stirring constantly, bring to the simmering point. Continue to simmer and stir to dissolve the sugar and to thicken. It will take about 10 minutes. Let cool before using.

For BLUEBERRY PIE FILLING

Use the exact same recipe, but substitute 3 cups frozen blueberries for the raspberries. In either case, if you have the fresh berries, those may be used instead of frozen. But obviously the frozen berries are cheaper this time of year.

For APPLE PIE FILLING:

4 cups peeled and finely chopped apples
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
6 Tblsp. butter
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 dashes nutmeg
Dash of salt

Combine the ingredients in a heavy saucepan of appropriate size. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, for 5 or 6 minutes or until very thick. Let cool before using. When cool, if you like, you may add 3/4 cup raisins.


To see more homemade ideas shared by others, go to Life on a Back Road. You will find lots of inspiration there!

3 comments:

  1. Mmmm - looks yummy! I made a similar make ahead pie filling this past autumn and I was pleased with the results. Now, I'll have to keep the berry filling in mind when all of the summer berries come into season.

    I wanted to let you know that I FINALLY tried the pizza crust recipe. We all really liked it. It was so nice to pull out the frozen crust and throw together a quick pizza supper. Thank you so much for sharing it.

    I've made quite a few of your recipes for my friends and without fail, they ask for the recipe. I so appreciate your taking the time to share them on your blog.

    Are you seeing any signs of spring yet? It's so exciting when the first green shoots start peeking up through the dirt. ;)

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  2. Thanks for those hints Mrs T....you are such a good steward!

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  3. Thanks so much, Arlene and Rachel, for the sweet comments!

    Rachel, I'm so glad that you tried (and liked) the boboli-type pizza crust recipe. I used up my frozen one so I really need to make some more of them.

    I'm so happy that your friends have enjoyed the recipes too!!

    Nope, no signs of spring yet, unless you count a chipmunk I saw on Sunday. It is warmer and nicer weather, but we still have *tons* of snow!

    God bless,
    Mrs.T

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