Blueberry Lattice Pie

Sometimes I fear that people think I make things up.

Blueberry Lattice Pie

Blueberry Lattice Pie

But I’ll tell you what happened when I took Rosie to the vet anyway.

Pastry

Pastry

I received a text message telling me the dear little girl was due for her annual immunisations and check-up.  When I made the appointment I told them I thought she had an acute case of halitosis and so perhaps she needed an oral exam as well.  So they asked me bring her in first thing in the morning and said not to give her any breakfast as she’d need an anaesthetic for the teeth clean.

Blueberry mixture

Blueberry mixture

Now…there is a vet across the road from me and I mean, I can spit from here to there.  However, he’s absolutely horrid and after a couple of visits that left me trembling more than the dog, I now take Rosie back to the vet who has looked after her her whole life.

Starting the lattice work

Starting the lattice work

It’s just he’s an hour away.  And while travelling that distance may seem like a waste of time…it helps that Dr Ross is very good looking.  Drew did see me heading out the door all dressed up and asked, ‘Where are you going?’ and I said, ‘Nowhere; just an appointment with a very good looking vet’.

Start with the horizontal strips

Start with the horizontal strips

I gushed all over poor Dr Ross and left Rosie with him.  At lunchtime when pretty much I’d only just arrived back home, he phoned to let me know they were going to do an ultra-sound on her heart and cut out a growth on her tummy and not to pick her up until the end of the day because she was a work in progress.

Pull back the horizontal strips alternately with the vertical strips

Pull back the horizontal strips alternately with the vertical strips

When I was driving to pick her up I received a phone call from the nurse telling me they were running behind and could I delay picking her up for another hour.  By this time it was already 5pm.  I said, ‘I’m actually already on my way’, and killed some time by doing some supermarket shopping.

One half complete

One half complete

When I arrived to pick up Rosie, Dr Ross had taken an early mark – probably to avoid all that gushing.  A young and very new and extremely earnest vet then sat me down and went through what they’d done – slowly.  Yes, she’d had her immunisations and her teeth had been cleaned, but then they thought that due to old age her oesophagus had gone flaccid which causes regurgitation so they examined that, and the growth on her tummy was bigger than expected so they had to cut out a lot of skin and so she has six stitches, and that when they did the ultrasound they found she has an enlarged heart and that she must be very tired and sleepy because her heart is working so hard to pump the blood.  And that she has a contact allergy so her skin is up in lumps and bumps and she now needs to go on antibiotics.

Ready for the oven

Ready for the oven

Then she told me she needs to be on heart tablets for her pulmonary hypertension and that she was only giving me a two week supply because she wants me to bring her back to see if the tablets are working.  And then she said, ‘If the tablets aren’t working she’ll need to go on viagra’.

I said, ‘Pardon?’

And she said, ‘Viagra.  She’ll need to go on viagra’.  I’m not joking.

Blueberry Lattice Pie

Blueberry Lattice Pie

I think she saw me looking all confused because she said, ‘Viagra was initially invented to treat people with pulmonary hypertension but then they found it has another use so it was marketed for that use so they could charge more for it’.

Blueberry Lattice Pie

Blueberry Lattice Pie

And that she hopes the heart tablets will work because they’re a lot cheaper than viagra.  Rosie’s appointment with the vet is tomorrow morning.  I’ll let you know if I come home with a box of viagra.  Imagine if Drew got into them!  Good thing he’s overseas.

Blueberry Lattice Pie

Blueberry Lattice Pie

And after all that and after I arrived home really late, Drew asked, ‘Should I ask how much that cost?’

And I said, ‘No’.  Because the bill had far too many zeros and that’s just something I’m keeping between me and Rosie.

Blueberry Lattice Pie

Blueberry Lattice Pie

So tomorrow I’ll be at the vet but in the USA (where Drew is), it will be Thanksgiving.  I’ve created a new category on my blog called, ‘Thanksgiving’ and I’m going to start a collection of recipes I think will work well, (and I mean ‘think’ because I’ve never experienced a Thanksgiving dinner).  I’m starting the collection with this Blueberry Lattice Pie.  I’m not at all used to making pies but I have been inspired by seeing a terrific variety of pies on the American blogs I follow.  Lately Kristy from Eat Play Love has been making a lot of pies and that’s inspired this Blueberry Lattice Pie.

Blueberry Lattice Pie

Blueberry Lattice Pie

I wish all my American friends a very wonderful Thanksgiving.

Blueberry Lattice PIe

Blueberry Lattice PIe

5.0 from 7 reviews
Blueberry Lattice Pie
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8-10
 
A blueberry lattice pie that's perfect for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
  • For the Pastry:
  • 3 cups plain flour
  • 2 tbs icing sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 250g chilled butter cut into cubes
  • 2 chilled eggs
  • 2 tbs iced water
  • For the Pie Filling:
  • 6 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen but if frozen, allow to thaw then remove the liquid)
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup castor (superfine) sugar plus 1 heaped tbsp extra
  • ½ cup plain flour
  • ½ tsp mixed spice
  • For the Pie:
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
  1. Place flour, sugar and salt in a food processor. Add butter and process until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add eggs and water and pulse until pastry starts to come together (but stop before the pastry forms a ball).
  2. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until pastry comes together. Wrap in clingfilm and place in the fridge for at least 1 hr.
  3. Pour blueberries into a large bowl and pour over lemon juice.
  4. Lightly grease a 24cm (9½ inch) pie tin.
  5. Divide pastry into two lots and roll out first lot into a large circle then when about 3mm thick, place in pie tin.
  6. Add sugar, flour and spice to the blueberries and stir to combine. Pour into pie shell.
  7. Roll out remaining pastry and cut into 1cm (1/2 inch) thick straps.
  8. To create lattice, place horizontal strips on pie first. Fold back alternate strips. Place vertical strip in middle of pie, fold down horizontal strips then fold back alternate horizontal strips. Repeat process until blueberries are covered in lattice.
  9. Brush pastry with beaten egg. Sprinkle pastry with sugar.
  10. Place pie on the middle shelf of a pre-heated oven at 180C (375F) for 40 minutes or until pastry is golden.
Blueberry Lattice Pie

Blueberry Lattice Pie

Comments

  1. Heavens Charlie, you do have some adventures! Poor puppy, sending best wishes. Love the pie, please may I have a slice now? xxxx

  2. Your blueberry pie would fit in beautifully with American Thanksgiving – and Canadian Thanksgiving too for that matter. 🙂 How hilarious to find out your dog might be treated with viagra. 🙂

  3. I was reading all Rosie’s ailments and trying to add it up as I went along – but you can’t put a price on Rosie’s health can you?
    My sister-in-law was on viagra for her pulmonary hypertension before she had her lung transplant but I had no idea it worked on dogs too – see, I knew you weren’t making it up 🙂 They sell viagra really cheaply here – all the chemists advertise it in the shop windows – I can get you some cheap if you wanted?!!!!
    (Great looking pie by the well, can I have my slice with cream please?)

  4. I’ve just finished blueberry porridge but rather wish I could have this pie instead (albeit it may not be the most appropriate breakfast choice). And what a story regarding the vet – poor Drew may have been very taken aback if you’d left in the morning dressed up for the good looking vet, and returned in the evening with a box of viagra!!

  5. Oh poor Rosie. Not easy being an older lady. We still have great memories of thanksgiving with our friends in Philadelphia Hard to believe that they eat sweet fruit pies with the turkey Sweet potato pie with marshmallows and sweet blueberry pie etc. We found it a bit hard to take 🙂

  6. This blueberry pie is gorgeous! That lattice topping is stunning. The perfect dessert for Thanksgiving! Sending my wishes to your dog! 🙂

  7. Oh no, poor Rosie. Here’s hoping you don’t have to go the viagra route!
    Charlie, your pie is absolutely beautiful and perfect!
    Have a wonderful day.
    🙂 Mandy xo

  8. Charlie, your real life tales are more entertaining than most made up ones. Plus you managed to weave the narrative into this blueberry pie post as artfully as your lattice-topped marvel! That takes skill, talent, and a steady supply of adventures, of which you have no lack. xo!

  9. For someone who is not used to making pies, you certainly did a fantastic job with your blueberry pie.Poor Rosie, hope the heart meds work and she does not need viagra.

  10. All the best to Rosie. She’s not a young pup any more but it’s still rough. Gorgeous lattice pie. Have a great Thanksgiving.

  11. Blueberry pie is one of my favorites and yours looks divine.

    I am sorry Rosie has had to endure so much. And I’m sure it’s not easy on you either.

    How wonderful that Drew can celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.S. I am preparing for dinner guests and am so looking forward to a day with family.

  12. WTH!! viagra, I hope that Rossie will do better on the heart tablets. Poor thing, lots of things are going on in her body.
    Loved your pie loos so perfect, keep going I like the “Thanksgiving category” idea that you’ll be adding.

  13. Viagra? LOL, but fascinated for its multiple uses. Poor Rosie…I have a dog who will be 17 on her next birthday, so I understand very well what you are going through. And Rosie too. Your pie is lovely. I am happy Drew is celebrating TG in the US–it is such a lovely holiday. My favorite for so many reasons. Memories, the main one…

  14. Oh wow – while the handsome vet is most definitely worth an hour drive – I sure do feel for your wallet and Rosie! I sure hope the heart tablets work!
    And, Charlie, you might never have had a Thanksgiving meal – but this pie would hold center stage at any Thanksgiving Dessert Table! Love the lattice – it’s gorgeous and I adore blueberry pie!

  15. Your pie is gorgeous and I wish we had fresh blueberries at Thankfiving! The rest of the meal is so heavy, traditionally, that a lovely and light berry pie would be a delightful change from pumpkin or pecan. Poor Rosie. What an ordeal and who knew about Viagra, lol!

  16. Oh dear poor little Rosie. I hate to imagine the bill. Thanks for the laugh though . Hope the tablets work. We dont want Drew raiding the supply!

  17. Oh Charlie, that’s just hysterical. Not that poor Rosie has a bung heart and had to have so much done to her, but the whole viagra thing – what a hoot! I have 2 old dogs and tend to hide the vet bills from my husband too. One of ours is a Wolfhound and they cost a fortune at the vets.
    I’ve only ever been to one Thanksgiving dinner in my life, at the home of some ex-pat Americans who were living here in Adelaide. I know that it is generally a bigger deal than Christmas for them and I’ll bet this pie would be perfect.

  18. Well, thats always been my favourite pie!

  19. Well, thats always been my favourite pie!

  20. Hehe are you going to hide the Viagra from Drew? Poor Rosie and I’ve never met a terrifying vet but the first one sounds like they’re not suited to their job. I’ve met terrifying doctors though so perhaps he should be a doctor!

  21. Thank you Charlie! I am beyond flattered that my pies inspired this beauty! It’s perfect and one of our favorites. In fact it is Mike’s favorite. Nothing tops a blueberry pie in his world. I hope you all enjoyed it. Your lattice work is absolute perfection.

    As for Rosie – oh my goodness!!! That poor little thing. I can only imagine the vet bill. We’ve had several of those. They turn my stomach, but what else can you do. Hopefully the heart pills will have done the trick. Fingers crossed.

  22. Problems such as these are meant to come in threes, methinks 🙂 ? And you have more on your plate than that . . . have to look up, Viagra: did not realize this was its initial use. Just as well Rosie has absolutely idea about her problems, your worries or what balancing a cheque book is all about! Smooth sailing for all concerned . . .

  23. Lambeau racked up a lot of vet bills. I can totally relate. Bill occasionally caught sight of some of the charges–he called it extortion 😉 Hope Rosie will get some relief—poor girl!
    And for an infrequent pie baker, you made a beauty!!

  24. Poor Rosie… Sorry to hear but hope she’s doing well. Your blueberry pie and the lattice work is absolutely gorgeous! I am now encouraged to make this, hopefully this week! It’s always fun to read your story. I was laughing so hard between the handsome vet and viagra story. 😂 xoxo

  25. Poor little Rosie! After Charlie’s 3 visits to the vet I know how many zeroes can show up on a vet bill. The things we do for our best friends. Our vet’s a woman so no heart throb there.

    I love your pie. Blueberry pie is my all-time favourite pie. I’m not making one for Thanksgiving because I’m the only one who loves it. Pumpkin, pecan and lemon meringue. The last one is the favourite of one of my guests. 🙂

  26. Sorry Rosie had to go through all of those procedure! I hate taking an animal to the vet because you can’t explain what’s going on. Hope she has a quick recovering and that the viagra works for her. My doctor is talking about putting me on it because I have PH. 🙂 What a beautiful pie!!! We both love blueberry pie and I haven’t made one in ages. Sounds like a nice surprise for the husband over the holidays. Thanks Charlie!

  27. Funny stories seem to be everywhere if you’re open to them, and this one takes the cake: viagra for your ailing female dog … who’d have expected that!?

  28. Poor Rosie! Should Drew be worried that the moment he goes away you race off to the hot vet who wants to slip you some Viagra? 🙂 I hope poor puppy feels better soon xo

  29. How funny because I noticed your thanksgiving page heading and thought I had never seen it before – thanksgiving is a bit of a mystery to me but I love your pie – looks very american to me. And poor old Rosie – what a day (and poor you too). Hope she is feeling better and out of the viagra woods soon

  30. Hope the medicine works for Rosie! I actually knew Viagra originally was invented for something else, but had totally forgotten. So although it sounds really odd, it makes sense. Anyway, terrific pie. We’re having pumpkin tomorrow, but I need some of this, too. 🙂

  31. Love the honesty about hot vet, Little Chef’s vet is a looker too. 🙂
    Hope Rosie feels better super quick, she should happily take her medication because you will be all smiley giving it to her. Ha! 🙂
    LOVE this pie so much, like I said on the Twitter, gonna make this pie but with cherries.
    Hope you are well. xox

  32. How nice to think of us with Thanksgiving recipes, Charlie. I love that. Your pie is absolutely beautiful. I will tell you that I have never once thought that you might make up any aspect of your stories, but I do think you are a fabulous story teller! I think we should just hope Miss Rosie doesn’t need the Viagra. However, if she does, let’s hope it’s not in a prescription bottle you have to hide when guests are over! 🙂

  33. Bahaha!! Poor Rosie… I feel so sorry for her but it’s such a funny story!
    I never knew viagra had any other use :0
    …you couldn’t make up all the stuff that happens in everyday life, I love that you keep us up to date 🙂
    I was just about to head out to the blueberry farms here for a bucket of berries. I know what I will be making now 🙂
    Thanks so much for sharing
    Julie
    Gourmet Getaways

  34. Poor Rosie and your poor wallet Charlie!!! hehehe thanks for the chuckle, I’m off to see the outcome 🙂 and I just love the look of this pie!! Jan x

  35. WOW
    Gorgeous, delisssssssshh Pie
    Hilarious Story!!
    Viagra!?? LOLLL

  36. For not being used to making pie your pie turned out gorgeous! I don’t know what it is about pie, but we Americans do love it. Maybe because it’s such a comfort food that most of our grandmothers had perfected throughout our childhoods. I do hope the heart medication works well and you won’t have to go to the extra expense of Viagra! We’ve had our fair share of horrific vet bills with Abigail when she was a pup. All those zeros can be very unsettling, but I know you are just like we are…we will do anything for our beloved fur children. 🙂

  37. A long way behind but catching up slowly. Am hoping Rosie is fine, no doubt I will read in the next post. 🙂

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