On the Road to Berks County, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia
We have been visiting with some of my aunts and uncles from my dad’s side of the family this weekend in Pennsylvania. Both of my parents are gone, so it has been really important for me to stay connected to the rest of the family. Unfortunately, we do not get together often, so it is really special when we do.
My one aunt and uncle own a restaurant in Berks County, so you can be certain that we had some great food this past weekend. They have been preparing and serving local foods as much as possible since they first opened 36 years ago, so the things that people are really taking notice of now (the farm to table movement) has always been a way of life for them.
Berks County is in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country and it is beautiful. There are farms and rolling hills every where you look. Many of the homes and barns are over 200 years old.
There are covered bridges throughout the countryside.
The Amish and Mennonite Markets were fun to visit. They had all sorts of great cheeses, meats and produce. You can even purchase raw milk in Pennsylvania.
If you want something that is really representative of this area, don’t forget to have a Birch Beer (I did) and a slice of Shoofly Pie!
A trip back home to Pennsylvania would not be complete without a visit to my old stomping grounds in Chestnut Hill where I went to high school. The cobblestone roads and cute little shops haven’t changed much over the years. One of my favorites was always the Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop.
We ended the day with a drive into Philadelphia and a walk on South Street. It is always colorful there (in many ways!). I used to watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show at TLA Cinema on South Street when I was in high school (oh my, that was a long time ago…). Dinner at an Italian restaurant was the perfect way to end the day.
If you want to experience a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dish at home, then you’ll enjoy this recipe for Shoofly Pie from my aunt’s mother, Helen.
Enjoy your week!
Helen's Shoofly Pie
A traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dessert.
Ingredients:
For crust:
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Crisco
1/2 teaspoon
5 tablespoons ice water
For filling:
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup hot water
1 cup dark molasses
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
For crust:
Mix flour, Crisco and salt together in a medium bowl with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice water until mixture comes together to form a ball. Wrap in Saran Wrap and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to make for easier handling.
When ready, roll out dough and put into a 9-inch pie plate.
For filling:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Combine flour, light brown sugar, butter and salt in a medium bowl and with a pastry blender, mix until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Take 1/2 of that mixture and set aside.
Dissolve baking soda in 1/4 cup of the hot water in a medium bowl. Add remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth. Fold in 1/2 of the crumb mixture. Pour this mixture into the prepared pie shell and then top with the other 1/2 mixture of the crumb topping.
Bake pie for 10 minutes and then reduce heat to 375 degrees. Bake for approximately another 20-25 minutes until the crust is lightly browned and the filling is set.