
Naked Apple Pie
Dear readers, I must make a humble confession: This is not your Mama’s apple pie. As delicious as her pie may be, eating it consistently will make your rear end as big as as the state of California. Certainly, there are cultures that prize a grande derriere, but if you’re still with me, I’m figuring you are wholeheartedly off the idea of owning a “Rump Shaker.” The party track, “Wiggle it, just a little bit” is cute until it becomes depressingly clear that one owns more than a little to wiggle.
How I love to watch TV cook Nigella Lawson working it in the kitchen. Artfully drizzling hot chocolate into her mouth while making “Dark, Rich, Brownies, with a Deep, Hot, Interior,” and gently groaning, ”oooohhhh.” It would take an entire fire department to put out that kind of heat. Dessert should be enjoyable, and Nigella’s books are sitting on my shelf for days when I’m feeling a ‘lil saucy. Think of my Naked Apple Pie offering as your practical and comfy T-Shirt Bra to Nigella’s naughty Deep Plunge Convertible. Thankfully, there is room in our lives for both to enjoy.
My apple pie is not baked, but herein lies the magic. When I say magic, I mean the magic of living food. The purity of uncooked food actually feeds your body nutritionally, rather than filling you up with empty calories. 100% of this pie is packed with vitamins, and it tastes incredible. Furthermore, you can eat the crust with no guilt hanging over your head. The crust is truly the manna of the Gods. Remember those dark days when you left the flakey crust of a pie on the plate? ” Am I the only one that has ever left out one half of a bun on a veggie burger or nixed the buns completely? O.k. I’m a nerd. Have you ever ordered one of those “Bare” burritos in a bowl without the tortilla? Not you? O.k. I’m getting desperate: Any chance you might have abandoned the crust of your precious pizza? Ummm hummm, GOTCHA! Or maybe I have gotten some of you. Good Lord, one of you must have enjoyed a meal at one point in your life.
The look of this pie should be rustic and homey, so don’t fall out with worry if the pie crumbles a bit when serving. We’re talking laid back here. Imagine yourself chilling out in Big Sur, eating the pie out of a bowl, while the waves crash in the background. My hope is that you experience a grounding and refreshing depth of flavor. No jolts or rushes, rather a calming sense of satisfaction.
Naked Apple Pie
1 tablespoon of filtered water
1 teaspoon of good vanilla (no alcohol brand)
For the pie, fill the crust with the apple mixture, covering evenly. Cover the pie with cling film and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes. If there is any juice left in the bowl from the apples, reserve it for the glaze.
For the glaze: In a bowl, whisk the agave, lemon juice, cinnamon, water, and any juices left from the apples until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
For the non dairy cream, in a blender, whizz the cashews, a bit of the soaking water, orange juice, and agave and blend until smooth. You may need to strain the cream of any stray bits of cashew. Transfer to a small serving jug.
Remove the pie from the fridge and drizzle the glaze over the top. Serve a slice with a splash of cream. Enjoy for dessert or breakfast.
See you next week!
This one looks interesting. I've never attempted to prepare any sort of raw dessert before, so it better be good! I'm sure it will be divine. Thanks for all the creative recipes you've been sharing.