The Pie-thagorean Theorem.

At the beginning of 2014, I promised myself that I would blog regularly (amongst other things, of course. Like eating healthy, working out, losing weight, crafting more, getting back to music classes, etc.). Sadly, I have barely done any of these and I am unable to accept that it's already August now. 

I am yet to come in terms with how fast the year has gone by.  Life has changed a whole lot since my last blog post and for good. So, I am not really complaining.

Anyway, the reason I am here today is because of a pie. A pie that has changed my life. Ok, I'm actually just being dramatic. But this pie, it is something you have just got to try. 

It is so easy to make and tastes like heaven.I mean, it really is THAT good, ok? Ok. And it has been my best baking experiment to date, hands down! 

You will need:

For the filling:

5 firm apples, peeled & cubed (soak in water to prevent discoloration)

1.5 tsp cinnamon powder

1 cup sugar

Juice of one big lemon

For the crust:

2.5 cups all purpose flour

200 grams butter (cut into cubes)

1/2-3/4 cup water

1 tsp salt

1.5 tbs sugar

Method:

Take a large bowl and mix the flour,salt, sugar. Add the cubed butter to this and rub the flour mixture against the butter till small lumps form.

Continue doing it until the mixture reaches a bread crumb-y texture. Now, slowly add water, a little at a time and make a dough.

Bread crumb-y texture. Add water only after you achieve this.

 Divide the dough into two parts, cover one part with cling firm and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes. 

Meanwhile, in another big bowl combine the cubed apples, cinnamon, sugar and lemon juice and mix thoroughly so that each piece is coated with the dressing. Set aside.

On a clean, floured surface, roll the other half of the dough into a large circle or rectangle and cut strips of equal width. Roll the refrigerated dough to a nice, big circle (at least 2 inches more in diameter than the baking dish you plan to use) 

Layer the baking dish neatly with this dough and cut off the excess dough from the sides. 

Now pour the apple filling on top and use the dough strips to cover the top in a criss-cross pattern. Seal the edges with the dough used for base of the pie and sprinkle some cinnamon on top.

Not bad at all, for a first timer. *smug look*

Glaze the top with some milk using a brush and bake it in a pre-heated oven at 200*c for 40-45 minutes.

In to the oven it goes.

This time may vary depending on the microwave/oven you may use. Hence please ensure you do not let it get burnt. 

Although the number of steps mentioned above may seem too much, trust me, it was really very simple to make and tastes absolutely divine. Oh, and the house smells like a dream. Apples and cinnamon are truly a match made in heaven. Sigh.

I made this last night and it's already almost over and everyone who has tasted it (husband and some 10 colleagues) have given me two thumbs-up! The crust was flaky, the filling - delicious. 

I hope you make this and enjoy the pie as much as we did and do let me know how it turns out if you try it! 

Here's to a great rest of the year and to more blogging (hopefully!).

Cheers! 

M

Notes:

1. I used this video as the guide to make flaky dough. It worked like magic. 

2. I did not cook the apple filling as done in some recipes, it still turned out really gooey and soft.
3. Forgive me for the awful caption. Thank you.

Floppy-shloppy!

'allooo yougaiz. :D

And apologies, again. I've just been so busy I've hardly had the time to sit and write a post. Maybe I should quit work and take a well-deserved break. Yes, I certainly am considering that. Let's see how it goes.

Anyhooo, I'm back and with yet another easy-peasy DIY. I did this a few weeks back when i was extremely bored and was blankly staring at this big bag of useless stuff that I have not had the heart to throw out for almost a decade now. :P

So, without further ado, presenting to you, M's special Floppy Coasters! :D

You will need:

• Floppy disks. I know you have a million of them stashed somewhere in your room. Find them, NOW!
• Thread. Woolen or the ones used for embroidery. I used various shares that i already had. (Anchor)
• Fabric glue or even Fevicol or Fevibond would do.  

What to do:

1. Apply a little fabric glue on one end of the floppy and start rolling the thread around the floppy.  

Use as many colors as you want or you can just one color, totally depends on how you want it to be.


2. Once you have covered the floppy entirely, stick the thread to the other corner using some more fabric glue and you are done!

Now, wasn't that easy?!

I'm now thinking of doing a paper weave pattern on top of the remaining floppies I have. Will do a post if that turns out the way I'm imagining it in my head.

What are you doing with all those floppies you have? Do let me know if you have any ideas in mind.:)

Until next time,
M
xx

Better Late Than Never!

Sorry, yougaiz (if there is anyone at all who's reading my blog, that is. :P).  I had a *real* busy week and hence the delay.

And, I was thinking, why not start off with a DIY post. Good idea, no? Yes. So, here I am, with a very easy  DIY for all you crafty and also the not-so-crafty ladies out there. Considering the festive season and the amount of dry-fruit dabbas all of you must be getting, this is going to be a cakewalk.

Things you need:

1. Pistachio shells
2. Some gold/bronze necklace chain (according to your preferred necklace length) along with the clasps.
3. Glue (I used Fevibond)
4. Cardboard (Not too thick)
5. Fabric Paint (I used pearl metallics)

And here's the how to:

~ Firstly, clean the shells and start painting them using the colors of your choice. I did two coats of each color and it was perfect. Let dry.

~ In the meantime, cut the cardboard in whichever you want the necklace to be. I chose a triangle since it's the easiest to do. Yes, I'm lazy like that. :P
Before sticking the pistachio shells to the cardboard, punch a little hole on the sides and attach the chain to both the sides.

~ Now, apply glue to the edges of the pistachio shells and on the cardboard wherever you are going to stick the shells. Let dry for a few minutes (5-7 mins) and then glue the shells to the cardboard placing them however you want.

~ Once dry, paint the area where the cardboard shows with either a contrasting color or a color of your choice and let dry again.

TADA, Your pretty Pistachio necklace is ready! That was easy to do, wasn't it? :) I made a cuff too.

Do let me know if you make it or your other ideas for using pistachio shells.
A very happy Diwali to all you guys!

Till the next post,
Much love
M