VBP (Shoofly Pie)

On my birthday, one of the letters that made me cry came from my friend Kathy. (to be honest, I cried when I read just about EVERY letter that day...it was that kind of a melt-down)...

You've met Kathy many times.  We've been friends for 40+ years.  Her family took Ross in when he was offered a job in Pennsylvania.  My mission this morning was to find a picture of the two of us that might be NEW TO HER...

Remember this day, Kath?  We were at that flea market on Hwy. #61...

And IN THIS PICTURE -- we were, no doubt, about to EAT something delicious that you cooked.

Because cooking is Kathy's SuperPower.  In 1973, we were neighbors.  We'd be playing cards at her house late into the night, and Kathy would make toast.  I'm telling you -- it was the VERY BEST TOAST I ever ate...

Whenever I'm in the mood for coleslaw -- it's Kathy's recipe I turn to...

One of her signature dishes is Shoofly Pie.  Years ago -- when Ross was living with the Keefer's in Pennsylvania -- he became addicted to this unique delicacy. 

Kathy -- you should be SO PROUD!  Ross makes shoofly pie to take to potluck dinners -- so I think it's becoming HIS SIGNATURE DISH, too.

Kathy Keefer is one of the BEST COOK'S I KNOW -- and she is famous for her shoo-fly pies!!

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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Unbaked Pastry for 10-inch one crust pie

 Dry:
3 tablespoon butter
1  cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet:
3/4 cup hot water
1 cup dark molasses
1 egg
Mix:  1/4 cup boiling water with 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, then stir into wet mixture

Preparation:

Dry:  In a large bowl, using a pastry blender, cut shortening or butter into flour, brown sugar, and salt until mixture is the size of small peas; set aside. (reserve 1/2 cup for topping)

Wet: In a large bowl, mix molasses and egg and 3/4 cup hot water. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 c. water with baking soda. Combine all wet ingredients and whisk until soda quits foaming.

Gently stir wet into the dry. Pour mixture into unbaked pie crust, sprinkle reserved crumbs on top.

Bake 10 minutes and then reduce oven to 350 degrees F. Bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

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Like all the strong women in my life -- Kathy is getting through this crisis by using her SuperPower.

SHE IS COOKING HER WAY THROUGH IT -- day by day.  She bakes bread every other day, makes big dinners each day for her family, including pies, cakes, all her home-canned fruits and vegetables...

AND -- Kathy told me to watch this video.  Andra Day....I loved it, Kathy...but shoulda been warned about the Kleenex...this is our new national anthem...

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwgr_IMeEgA