Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: AS EASY AS PIE (12/01/16)
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TITLE: Smoldering Love | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Dick
12/08/16 -
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I ran my finger down the list of ingredients.
‘Flour.’
I scooped flour out of the canister with my measuring cup, held it high over the mixing bowl, and plopped it in. Small plumes of dust floated up into the air and into my nostrils. As I held the salt container precariously above the bowl, I held my breath; but a sneeze burst forth, and the salt poured in. Oops.
After wiping my nose on my sleeve, I read the next ingredient.
‘Shortening.’
I never buy shortening. I searched my kitchen, and settled on a substitute - diet margarine. With a large spoon, I plopped two mounds into the mixture.
‘Water.’
No need to measure that. I held the bowl under the tap and turned on the water. When I had just enough liquid, I shoved my hands into my creation. I squeezed, rolled, and squeezed. Through the sticky mass, I could see the glitter of my diamonds. I pulled my hand out of the pasty glob, and studied my new ring. I blew off remnants of dough, smiled, and placed it on the window sill.
‘Roll the dough flat.’
I turned the bowl over and plopped the dough onto the kitchen table. The sticky mess clung to the surface. With a handful of flour, I dumped it over the dough, and then, with the rolling pin, I pounced on it. I rolled until the dough was flat; turned it over, and then rolled some more. I plunked it into a pie plate, and took a deep breath.
‘Pudding filling.’
Pudding is not difficult, I don’t need a recipe. I hummed as I stirred the pudding mix and milk together. Once stirred thoroughly, I poured it into the crust.
‘Set the oven at 400 degrees.’
This needs to bake a little faster. I turned the oven up to 450 degrees, set the timer for forty-five minutes, and then stumbled to the couch to lie down. Who says this is easy?
An abrupt ringing caused my heart to race as I sat up. I jumped off of the couch, made my way to the kitchen, and searched for my cell phone. Once I found it under a pile of flour, I grabbed it, blew off the dust, and placed it to my ear.
“Hello, hello!” I hollered.
“Hey Jenny, what are you up to?”
I relaxed at the sound of my husband’s voice, took a deep breath, and sat down. “I have a surprise for you when you get home.”
“That’s super. I wanted to let you know that I invited my folks over tonight.” He snickered and said in a low voice, “I hope your surprise is decent.”
“Are they coming for dinner?” My hand shook.
“I invited them for dessert. Should I pick something up on my way home? I know baking isn’t your forte.”
“Oh no,” I giggled. “I’ll take care of it.”
As I hung up the phone, a sudden loud beeping filled the small apartment. I turned toward the oven. Billows of smoke floated into the air. I pulled open the oven door and rancid smoke hit me in the face. With a hot pad in each hand, I pulled out my smoldering pie. I placed it on the counter and gasped for air. As I shoved the back door open, I stared at my blackened handiwork.
A tear trickled down my face. All of the pudding had completely bubbled out over the sides of the blackened crust. What will I do now?
I wiped my eyes and went out the door.
***
Ricky sat across the table from me and smiled as he took a bite of chocolate cream pie. I smiled back, and then glanced at my mother and father-in-law.
“Chocolate is not my favorite, dear, but this pie is pretty good.” Ricky’s mother looked at me and winked.
“I love it!” My father-in-law grinned at me as he took another bite.
“Isn’t my little wife something?” Ricky beamed. “She can hold down a great job, keep house, AND cook.”
My cheeks burned as I looked back at him and grinned. “Well…it’s as easy as pie!”
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I had to laugh since I have never been able to bake a pie. The only time I tried I ended up dumping the filling into the bottom of the stove.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.