Musical pairing – You’re Gonna Get It by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
“Waitress” is a beautiful movie. I can’t say enough good things about it. Without ruining it for you, I’ll just say it’s about a lost woman finding her way back to herself in the face of unforeseen circumstances. The very talented (and tragically deceased) Adrienne Shelly wrote and directed the film. She believed that it needed an element of visual interest that would keep an audience focused during an otherwise cerebral story. So she decided that the main character should make a lot of pies. A pie for every turn in the plot. Ultimately, Keri Russell’s waitress character bakes to cope.
All that pastry-baking contributed heavily to the now cult classic status of the film. Well, that and the delightfully talented actors. Nathan Fillion co-stars as a doctor and for those of you who don’t know, Nathan Fillion is a big time pin-up for the lady geek community. Like Bruce Campbell before him, you could probably put Nathan Fillion in a 27-hour miniseries about the history of car batteries and I’d watch with rapt attention. It should be noted that my best friend Lindsay told me, for years, to watch “Waitress” before I actually did. She’s like the Movie Whisperer. She knows what movie anyone should watch for any reason and she accurately predicted my obsession with both the pies and the Fillion. The woman is gifted.
When I went looking for a recipe to one of the “Waitress” pies I was pleased to find that not only did the actual DVD sell with ten recipe cards, but that just like the Spanglish Sandwich, the pies of “Waitress” inspired bakers everywhere to make their own versions. A delightful chocolate crust filled with fresh berries and topped with home-made whipped cream, I really wanted to try my own hand at “Earl Murders Me Because I’m Having An Affair Pie.”
I made the pie last night at about 9:30 and right away, I know why Keri Russel’s desperate waitress character makes it in the throes of guilt. This pie could be classified as a medical sedative. The rich ingredients, mostly butter, pure chocolate and heavy whipping cream, act the same way that a tranquilizer dart might. Roughly five minutes after I served the pie to my husband, I looked over to find him snoozing away on the couch, dirty plate still in hand.
Now remember, before this pie my only effort for Movie Bites has been a sandwich. So to say that the jump in the sophistication level of recipes was a big one is an understatement. This one called for “ganache”. I didn’t even know what ganache was before yesterday. (Though I did enjoy dancing around the kitchen singing “I made ganache” to the tune of “The Monster Mash”.) Ganache, as it turns out, is pure chocolate mixed with boiling hot heavy whipping cream. It was the only thing I did right in the whole recipe, but boy did it look impressive as I poured the glossy melted chocolate and cream mixture into the finished (lumpy/malformed) crust.
And as I was almost finished pouring the ganache, I remembered the berries. I was supposed to mash the fresh blackberries and raspberries into the chocolate crust once it cooled. Before I poured in the ganache. So I hurriedly poured the berries into the ganache and used a potato masher to try to mix them in and make the whole thing look intentional. The resulting pie filling resembled a melted crunch bar. But after I topped it all with home-made whipped cream (For which I bought my first EVER, very own hand-mixers!) and some leftover fresh berries, the pie looked beautiful.
Sure it was still boiling lava hot. But I served it up anyway. I’m pretty sure pie isn’t supposed to be spooned out like macaroni and cheese. But it hardly seemed right to let such a beautiful pie sit in the fridge overnight.
After moving a thousand miles away from home two weeks ago, I’ve been consistently blue for the last several nights. When the sun goes down, for some reason, so does my mood. But last night baking my ridiculously over-the-top pie and singing my own version of “The Monster Mash”…well, it felt pretty darn good.
Sure, fresh berries are in season. It’s the perfect time to bake “Earl Murders Me” pie. But my choice may also have had something to do with missing that best friend who introduced me to the wonderful world of “Waitress” in the first place. She may be a thousand miles away right now, but the movie she introduced me to became a partial reality in my shiny new kitchen.
Now that’s baking to cope . . . but maybe that’s just the chocolate talking . . .
Here’s the Smith Bites Riff . . .
**********
“EARL MURDERS ME” PIE-SHOTS ™
Created by Smith Bites
Makes 6-8 Pie-Shots™
INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE PIE:
- 3-4 chocolate biscotti (regular-size; adjust quantity if using minis)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons raspberry vodka
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh raspberries
- ½ cup fresh blackberries
FOR THE WHIPPED TOPPING:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon raspberry vodka
- pinch salt
- chocolate shavings for tops
METHOD:
- MAKE THE GANACHE (guh-NAHSH): Bring cream, sugar and salt just to a boil in a small saucepan; remove from heat and add chopped chocolate and raspberry vodka; whisk to combine. Let cool for about 5-10 minutes
- In the meantime, place biscotti in ziplock bag, seal and crush with a rolling pin; you’re looking for the consistency of sand. Set aside
- Mash the berries together leaving a little bit of texture; meaning mash them but you’re not looking for a puree – I like to see bits of the berries
- Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, raspberry vodka and pinch of salt until soft peaks
TO ASSEMBLE:
- Spoon 1 tablespoon biscotti into bottom of each shot glass
- Pour 1 tablespoon chocolate-raspberry ganache on top of biscotti, creating the second layer
- At this point, you have two choices: (a) You can place the half-filled shot glasses into the refrigerator and let the ganache set up a bit before adding the berry layer OR
- (b) proceed and carefully place 1 tablespoon of berries on top of the ganache
- The final layer will be the whipped cream sprinkled with a few shavings of chocolate
This dessert can be made one day ahead EXCEPT the whipped cream layer which can be made and added to the shot glass up to two hours before serving – just keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
If, like Audrey, you’ve never made ganache and want to learn how, The Professor shows you how in a very short (about 1 minute) “Class With The Prof” below!
Audrey Brown is a freelance journalist and voice over artist. She recently completed her M.A. in Creative Writing and was once mentioned in the Huffington Post by documentary director Mark Edlitz for her feminist thoughts on Princess Leia’s gold bikini. Audrey lives in Florida with her husband Jake and it is entirely possible that you will see the two of them running wild through Walt Disney World on any given day. If you wave at them, just remember that the Vulcan hand signal is just their way of waving back and not an obscene gesture. You can find Audrey at her blog Born For Geekdom.
Hi I was curious as to how big the glass was (in terms of ounces) Thank You!
Hi Lexi ~ I’m not quite sure on the actual number of ounces but they are a standard shot glass – maybe 2-3 ounces?
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Really movie whisperer????? I’m excited! Does she have a blog. I glean alot of good info from yur blog. Thank you! Oh and I’m gonna try this recipe. … . …great sight!
This sounds awesome! And it looks delicious in the picture, but am I wrong to say there is no lumpy, malformed crust there? I’d love to see this picture next to Audrey’s version, which is no doubt more like my own would turn out. No offense, Audrey! Keep encouraging we, the cooking-challenged, to try it anyway!
Lovely, lovely, lovely. Pie is just about the best thing in the world…other than movies….and the scent of a baby. Anyway, you….make….tears. Love you lots.
I just pinned this…. Yummy!
I’ll have to watch the movie. I didn’t know Nathan Filion is in it. I watch Castle just for him.
I liked that movie too. And the baking. And other stuff. ; )
I still need to watch that movie. My SIL claims she’s a lot like me except I’m not unhappy in my marriage? I wasn’t quite sure how to take that?
Absolutely LOVED everything about that movie and while I usually don’t watch a movie again I think that’s about to change.
Your rendition of the “Earl murders me … ” looks fabulously delicious! I’d like one of those with the fresh berries that are about ready to harvest in our area right about now too. YUM!
the shots look gorgeous ! 😀 wish i could reach out and take it from the pic 😉
A. Love this post.
B. Love the pie!
C. Love ganache! ♥
D. LOVE Waitress!!! Love, love, love. Love.
LOVE Waitress. What a great idea!
I gave yet to watch that movie but totally need to now! Beautiful shots!
Yes, I am having a virtual affair with that pie 🙂 Lovely layers.
Pie shots, what a great idea! I loved Waitress, especially the pie making scenes. …Susan
I actually saw Waitress because I love Keri Russell; she of Felicity fame and I’ve always found her so charming. But I love Nathan Fillion and Castle is a favorite of mine now. It was such a sweet and touching movie…if I recall, inside I know I was urging, ‘you go girl’ a lot.
The dessert looks sublime. Decadent even.
I was “you go girl” internally the whole way too! haha! Except my “you go girl” has turned into “You go Glen Coco” from Mean Girls. It’s a jumble of movie references in my head.
….and none for Gretchen Wieners.
Loved this. I’m a movie fanatic as much as a foodie. Great combination and beautiful and elegant dessert. Love.
Those are incredibly elegant, well done!
I loved that movie, the song, the pies and the doctor:) And the rich, mean geezer was a hoot! Your photos are gorgeous, and I would not mind a bit a serving of that hot, still soupy pie! Chocolate, berries, and cream? Divine!
I loved ‘Waitress’ and all her pies. I was always curious about one called Mermaid Pie. Love this post too! And the video on that awesome looking ganache too!!
You’re hilarious, and yes, I need a shot of this.
Thank you! I only feel the freedom to fail in a funny way because I know Debra is going to come right behind me and turn it into something beautiful. (Like the ganache video. Wow!)
Great post!!! I love reading you… its like a good book. 🙂
Dear Amanda,
Please send your comment to every book publisher in the world.
Thanks,
Audrey
P.S. 😉
Why have I never seen Waitress? Well, I know what I’ll be renting next time. These pie shots are inspired – absolutely gorgeous, Deb.
Awww….Waitress! I saw it at a special screening, and you’re right, Nathan Fillion could read fertilizer instructions and I’d watch, but I loved that movie, from beginning to end! Especially the end!
Cookin’ Canuck–you should definitely watch!
Audrey–Pie in a glass never looked so dang delicious!
secretlifeofachefswife.com
I don’t know the movie but the pie shots interest me anyway! GREG
I love little mini shot desserts. It looks fabulous!
I also wrote a blog post once, inspired by Waitress! While I don’t necessarily have a thing for Nathan Fillion, I did find it somewhat mesmerizing to watch her make those pies. It was the way she talked about them, too. I had to make a pie afterwards. I think it was blueberry.
Oooh, I’m off to go find it now! Can’t wait to read it!
Holy moly…you have outdone yourself here. First…love Waitress. Wanted to become a pie maker after it! And, the shot? Pass it over! 🙂
Baby dontcha cry, gonna make a pie….it’s on my iPod. So I guess that lets you know how I feel about Waitress. And now I have to add pie shots to that love list.
now you are calling my name Deb!! Pie shots? oh my! DELICIOUS!!!
I’m a huge fan of Waitress… what a pleasant surprise that film was. Haven’t seen it since it first came out, but now you make me want to watch it again… and eat pie. Lots and lots of pie.
Holy Cannoli, that video! It’s like a Sesame Street segment for foodies! Gorgeous!