Living and Promoting a Sustainable Life
Thank you to everyone who made Farm Fest 2019 an amazing success. We appreciate Hazel Anne Farm and Four Little Pumpkins for joining us as well as Doty and Dexter for the fabulous music.
The biggest shoutout (and some cowbell) goes to you, our supporters, fans, friends, and customers. You showed up and brought friends.
We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you next time.
Until then….
“Despite my changing tastes and desire to get away from using processed foods, pie crust is an exception. I don’t make pie often, so it truly is a treat. Shortening just makes better, more tender and flaky pie crust in my opinion. I have used lard a time or two but I still prefer Crisco shortening.”
From Simply Delicious, pg. 69
As I prepare to make somewhere north of 75 individual dessert-sized pies this weekend, I find myself reflecting on what it is about pie that draws people to dessert.
Pie has been around as long as anyone can remember and is a beloved American dessert. Who hasn’t heard the phrase “as American as apple pie”?
We tend to first think of sweet filled pies when referring to pie, but there are also pot pies, meat pies, shepherd’s pie, and tomato pies to name a few. The list expands further if you include tarts and galettes which are basically fancy pies.
Fruit pies, such as I will be making for sale are relatively easy to produce. Make the crust, add filling and bake. Of course the detail is what makes it so delicious. A flaky tender-crisp crust, filling that is not too sweet and not too tart, edges crimped just so.
Cream or custard pies require a bit more expertise to ensure the filling is smooth and, if topped with meringue, that it does not shrink and weep.
Could it be the memories associated with pie that makes them so delectable? Visions of our mothers or grandmothers setting a hot-from-the-oven pie on the table after a groaning board meal. When we all say “oh, I don’t have room for dessert, but since you have pie, I’ll take just a small slice”, then finish off a large piece just because it is too good to stop eating.
So as I bake blackberry, cherry and peach mini-pies this weekend, I’ll be planning for the next round of pies.
And maybe a savory one for supper.
By the way, my thoughts about pie crust have not changed.
Stay tuned to Five Feline Farm through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find out what flavor pie is being offered at the Farm Fresh Mercantile. Available through pre-order only.
It is almost time for Farm Fest 2019, the kickoff to our fall season at the Farm Fresh Mercantile.
Don’t forget to order your scones and mini-pies by October 10, 2019. You can email, message on social media or call 217-345-7331 to place your order.
As always don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Plus sign up for our email list to get regular updates directly to your email.
Until next time….
In Illinois there are several rules and regulations that govern selling food. This ranges from commercial food processing to restaurant kitchens to food trucks all the way down to cottage food permits and home based operations.
Five Feline Farm operates under the last two and there are some slight differences.
Our cottage food permit allows us to make certain baked goods, jams and jellies to sell at Farmer’s Markets. We do this from May through September at both the 18th Street Farmer’s Market in Charleston and Market Thyme in Casey.
Through the winter months we have our on farm store, the Farm Fresh Mercantile. Here we operate under our Home Based permit. This allows us to make and sell baked items through pre-order only; plus a few other items where local farm ingredients are featured in the product. (Think blackberry jam.)
In order to get our famous scones or individual sized mini-pies, you must order in advance. We want to get the word out so you can place your orders and not be disappointed when you arrive.
Here is what we are offering on October 12, 2019. Orders must be received by October 10, 2019.
You can place your order through email, social media or phone. We will have your scones and pies ready for pick up between 9:00 and 3:00 on the 12th.
But don’t just come to pick up an order. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy music by Doty and Dexter. Visit with friends. Shop other great vendors like Four Little Pumpkins, Hazel Anne Farm and others.
It’s all happening at Farm Fest.
If you just can’t make it to the Farm, you can still shop for other Five Feline Farm merchandise in our online Mercantile.
