Norway and Neighborhood Pie

The news out of Norway is heartbreaking and bleak.  It is impossible to believe that such tragedy and violence occurred in a country known for its peacemaking.

To bring a little peace into our own small space, I made a pie stuffed with fresh farmers market berries.  T and I can never finish an entire pie, and it made sense to distribute warm slices to some of the elderly folks in our neighborhood. Their appreciation reminded me of the importance of peace, pie, and neighbors.

Berry-Cherry Pie
Whole Wheat Crust:1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons sugar plus a few more tablespoons for sprinkling over crust
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick cold butter, divided into tablespoons
2-3 tablespoons ice cold vodka
2 tablespoons ice water

1. Process by pulse flours, sugar, salt, and butter until mixture looks like corn meal.

2. Continue to pulse while adding one tablespoon at a time of the vodka and water until mixture can form a ball when pressed together.

3. Press into two discs; wrap in waxed paper or parchment and chill at least 1 hour.

Berry Cherry Filling:
2 cups raspberries
2 cups cherries, pitted and halved
1 cup red currants or lingonberries
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cherry balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons corn starch
Salt
1 tablespoon butter

4. Carefully combine fruit, sugar, vinegar, corn starch, and a pinch of salt in a large mixing bowl. Set aside while pastry chills.

5. Roll discs on parchment (using as little extra flour as possible) into 2 x 10 inch circles. Place one pastry circle into pie pan. Add berry-cherry mixture. Dot with butter.  Cover with remaining pastry circle. Seal edges; slice air holes on top. Sprinkle with a few tablespoons sugar.

6. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and continue cooking 45-50 minutes.