I decided to decorate a few of our pie pumpkins with mustaches this year!  The greatest thing – decorate with them first, then make a pie out of them!

Frank was a good sport and even posed with a stache pumpkin!

Last week I was asked to be an apple pie judge for one of Ms. Miller’s High School Classes.  There were four pies for us to try. 

We will be using an almost identical rubric for the pie judging on October 25th for the Apple-Palooza Pie Contest.

Things the judges will be looking for when tasting your pies …

Overall Appearance

Crust - Texture, Taste and Appearance

Topping Selection

Filling – Texture, Taste and Appearance

Food Styling – Creative, Neat, and lots of details

A Cinnamon Apple Pie was the winner of the four pies.  The topping blending perfectly with the filling and it was just an incredible pie.  I have to say though – all four pies were impressive and very edible.  I truly enjoyed my morning of pie eating!

 

Now – let’s see who’s judging YOUR apple pies this season!

Alan Otto

– Capri’s godfather, a good friend of ours and a pie eater for the past 34 years!

He has been an apple pie judge at Apple Palooza since this all began four years ago!

 

Darcy Miller

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

No I have not judged a food contest, however I do have to critic my students on food they make.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

I love apple pie and I also  don't think I would ever get sick of apple pie so trying lots of it in a short amount of time sounds like a good plan to me.  I love to bake and have a fairly good idea of what makes a good pie.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

I think of pie making and pie eat both as an art form.  But my favorite part is savoring the taste.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

Since Hector was a pup :)

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

I look for texture, taste, appearance and the feeling that lots of love was put into the pie during the process.

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?  Yes

 

Trisha Frankland

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

YES! I judged an apple pie contest for the area's Christian women's group about 10 years ago. But for some reason they never invited me back.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

I come from a long line of pie bakers and pie eaters. My dad's family is famous for pie: our Priewe family reunions aren't just "bring a dish to pass" - it's "bring a dish AND A PIE or don't even show up." Have you ever had groundcherry pie? Or passed over the normal creamy pumpkin pie for a double-crust sliced pumpkin pie (which tastes kinda like apple)? Well, that's just the tip of the Priewe pie iceberg! You know how graffiti artists have a "tag" they use as a signature? Well, the bakers in my family have been "tagging" their pies for generations with custom vent designs that are as individual as fingerprints and recognizable as the nose on your face.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

Umm, the pie part? Sugar and fruit - it doesn't get any better. I'll pass by chocolate anytime but don't let me even near a yummy apple pie if you hope to come away unscathed.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

They say a real lady never reveals her age! And since that's not a concern, I can admit I'm 41 years old. And let's just say I've eaten a lot of pie in my day - in my family, it's one of the first solid foods we give to babies. The hips don't lie.

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

Tasty crust is imperative - too many otherwise great pies are ruined by bland, pasty crusts that are nothing but a carrier for the luscious fillings. How many times have you seen otherwise-empty plates with a leftover pie rind? Too many! Why waste that space when you could make it YUMMY too?!?

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

Probably not - I'm easily purchased with flattery and gifts. But I'm also extremely opinionated and know my own mind - just ask me, and you'll see.

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

I think pie baking is an endangered art form. I think pie eating is an under-rated hobby. And I think you should agree with everything I say.

AND…last but not least…

 

Neil Stechschulte

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

He has never been a pie judge before but he’s taken a lot of photos of pie contests.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

He’s a fantastic judge of flavors and textures.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

Neil loves EVERYTHING about pie.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

Neil has eaten pie for 41 glorious years.

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

Neil always looks for a pretty pie, but in the end, when it comes down to it, if a pie tastes good going down, he’s going to be a happy judge.

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

Neil is the epitome of fair and unbiased.  He would never judge a pie by its maker.

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

Neil dreams about pie in all its forms – apple, pumpkin, cherry, chocolate, strawberry rhubarb, raspberry, or chicken.  There are many times when he will yell “WOMAN, MAKE ME A PIE!”

 

NEW 2014 Judges:

Kari Olsen

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

no

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

I've had many slices of apple pie in my life, and I know what tastes good to me.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie? 

eating pie :)
How many years have you been enjoying pie?

all my life
What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

a good, tasty crust (not soggy!) the right amount of filling, and a good flavor

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge? 

yes

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

I've had my food judged before, but have never been in the judge's seat.  I love apples and I love pie, so this seems like the perfect job for me! 

Judy Frankel

  I am a big foodie and have a true weakness for apple pie.  I have judged food competitions before (most notably the Monona Chili Cook Off competition).

 

Elizabeth "Betti" Palmer

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

No

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

Because I'm a foodie, a locavore, and a pie afficionado! I am a Farmer's Market shopper and regular at Lapacek's Orchard. I am passionate about heirloom fruits and vegetables, and strive to cook with the very best local ingredients.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

It is a simple dessert that relies on the best qualities of the fruit; the apples are the "star" of the dish...

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

My whole life! My late mother was a fabulous from scratch pie baker. I learned from the best!

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

Plenty of perfectly seasoned fruit, and a light, flaky crust, of course. And getting the apples perfectly cooked (not too much, not too little) is harder than people might think...

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

Without question!

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

I will recognize the skill and passion of the baking contestants. I expect that the competition will be stiff, but the best execution of this "art form" will rise to the top!

 

Our group of seven judges will decide winners for – Best Pie Overall and three runner ups, Most Creative Pie, and Prettiest Pie.  The entire event is meant to be fun so I hope you decide to ‘throw your pie’ in the ring and give it a go!

If you are interested in baking a pie for the contest please send me an email: {lapaceksorchard at gmail dot com} with your name and pie baking story (if you have one – if you don’t have a story, no worries). Plan on arriving at the orchard by 12:45pm with your pie (earlier than that is just fine too …we open at 9 and I can make arrangements with you if you need earlier than that). Pie viewing and photo’s will take place at 1:00pm and judging will start at 1:30pm.

Once judging is complete - I'm guessing around 2:30/3:00ish... we'll be cutting all the pies up into slices and selling them for $1 a slice.  100% of the money made from the apple pie slice sales will go to the PAD Parent Groupof the Poynette School District.

Food Fight Restaurant Group is once again sponsoring our Pie Contest – a free pie every month for a year from Monty’s Blue Plate Diner!!!

A few years back I discovered that you can mix a can of diced pineapple with a box of Angel food Cake Mix (the kind you just add water), bake it and have a delicious (and super easy) cake.  Then a year or so after that I learned that you can mix a can of cherry pie filling with a box of Angel food Cake Mix and again make a delicious (and super easy) cake.

 

The other day – I wanted to make a treat or the guys since they’ve been working so hard.  I thought – how about I try mixing a jar of our ‘Apple Pie in a Jar’ with Angel food Cake and bake it?  The other things worked – so why wouldn’t this?

So I did!

I baked it for the same time and temperature you would a regular angel food cake.  It was delicious!  I highly recommend this fun and super easy treat!

The honeygold’s have all been sold for the 2014 apple season but I managed to snag just a few of the samples so I could test it as a sauce.

 

I peeled, cored and sliced up these delicious apples (which by the way are in my top five for eating apples) and cooked it down into a sauce.  I am happy to report that it cooked down into a chunky, delectably sweet applesauce! 

 

I would definitely sauce these apples by themselves and enjoy it – a few more varieties would give it some added depth – but these can definitely hold their own when cooked down!

The Hazen apples are all gone for the 2014 apple season just like the Honeygolds but I managed to snag a few of the samples so I could test the apples in sauce. 

These popular little eating apples cooked up into a smooth but slightly chunky sauce.   The flavor had a tart little tang to it …but it was mostly sweet.  I would definitely add some other apples to the sauce to add depth of flavor and texture to it. 

Overall the Hazen applesauce wasn’t bad but not one I would rush to buy quantities of for the best applesauce …

It’s time to talk about the details of the upcoming Apple Palooza!  It’s just a few weeks away!
When?  Saturday, October 25th
Where?  Lapacek’s Orchard

What?

Apple Pie Contest

The Apple Pie Contest is an event that is here to stay at Lapacek’s Orchard. 

2013 Pie Winner - Josie Tollaksen with her ‘Apple Pie for your Soul’!


2012 Pie Winner – Brenda Endres
2011 Apple Pie Winner – Melissa Walsh
The judges will decide winners for – Best Pie Overall and three runner ups, Most Creative Pie, and Prettiest Pie.  The entire event is meant to be fun so I hope you decide to ‘throw your pie’ in the ring and give it a go!
If you are interested in baking a pie for the contest please send me an email: {lapaceksorchard at gmail dot com} with your name and pie baking story (if you have one – if you don’t have a story, no worries). Plan on arriving at the orchard by 12:45pm with your pie (earlier than that is just fine too …we open at 9 and I can make arrangements with you if you need earlier than that). Pie viewing and photo’s will take place at 1:00pm and judging will start at 1:30pm.

Once judging is complete - I'm guessing around 2:30/3:00ish... we'll be cutting all the pies up into slices and selling them for $1 a slice.  100% of the money made from the apple pie slice sales will go to the PAD Parent Group of the Poynette School District. Food Fight Restaurant Group is once again sponsoring our Pie Contest – a free pie every month for a year from Monty’s Blue Plate Diner!!! 

Old-Fashioned Cider Pressing Demo:

“Come Squeeze Our Apples”

Jared will be demonstrating how we used to press our apples to make cider with an old fashioned wood cider press. This demo will take place at 1:15 and will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

Carved Pumpkin Contest

During the first Apple-Palooza, in 2011, we discovered that there’s quite a bit of standing around while the pies get judged.  We’re going to have a ‘Carved Pumpkin Contest’.  People of all ages can bring their carved pumpkin – anytime before 12:45, put it on display and then we’ll all walk by and vote for our personal favorite!  I’ll have a prize for the best carved pumpkin – still to be determined. 

Vendors!

NEW this year!  My friend Naomi of the Glitter Workshop has organized it so some fabulous folks selling handmade crafts and vintage finds are set up during Apple Palooza!  There’s always a lot of milling about as pie judging is happening so now you’ll all have an opportunity to shop at some great booths!  Here’s a list  of folks you can expect to visit during Apple Palooza!

• The Glitter Workshop 
• Madre Yerba
• Soul Harbor Jewelry
• Maggs Creations
• Usborne Books & More
• FeemeKnit
• Nikita ernst
• Lady Bird
• Jennifer Ybarra
• Blue Canoe Salvage
• Courtney Henson
• Sol Creations

Hard Cider Info Booth

Our good friend Jay Walters will have a booth set up from NOON to 3pm to talk about and answer your questions on how to make hard cider.  Jay has been doing this for years and we have helped drink and enjoy many of his products for years - this guy knows what he's talking about!
Below is a rough itinerary for Apple-Palooza.  I will update it as necessary so keep an eye on the blog for any changes or additions to the day that may occur.

Preliminary ITINERARY:

9:00—Store Opens for Business & Vendors are set up
12:00 - Hard Cider Info Booth Open until 3
12:45—Deadline for Contest Pies & Carved Pumpkins to be Delivered and Viewing of the Apple Pies
1:00—Apple Pie Contest Judging Starts
1:00 – Voting starts for the Carved Pumpkins -
1:15—Old Fashion Cider Pressing Demo
3:00 - Hard Cider Info Booth Closes
3:00-4:00* – Pie and Pumpkin winners are announced *this will happen as soon as the judging is finished and everything is tallied up.  Once the winners have been announced – pie slices will be sold for $1/slice with proceeds going to the Poynette School Parent Club. 
5:00 – Vendors head home
6:00—Store Closes

I’ll be posting about this years pie judges soon too so stay tuned!  As we get closer to the 25th I’ll post a ‘Final Schedule/Itinerary’ for the big day!  I hope you’re as excited as I am!

There are so many opportunities for you to have a fun at the orchard on this day!  I can’t wait!  I have an event set up on Facebook so be sure to share with your friends/family about this great FREE event too!

There was a decent frost at the orchard overnight which will put an end to our PYO Raspberry patch – but no worries – it’s time for PYO Pumpkins now!  We have some already picked pumpkins around our building if you don’t feel like taking the hike (not a big one … but still) to the patch.  There are LOTS of super cool pumpkins out there!  The pumpkins with the crazy big stems are ‘Wolf’ pumpkins!

I have to say – this awkward looking dude is probably my favorite of the pre-picked ones we have …

I just thought this was a cool image of the pumpkins all in a line.

Now – if only I had moved that plastic picnic table – this would be the coolest picture ever!

The green/bluish/orangeish pumpkins that are big and squatty are a type of Cinderella pumpkin.  They are STUNNING!

This really has nothing to do with the pumpkin patch – I’m just super in love still with my glittered sewing machine!

My hand next to one of the biggest stems on a wolf ever!!!!

We have awesome warty pumpkins too!

Another cool picture of a line of pumpkins.

A great time to make a beautiful fall display at your home!

We even have some white pumpkins!

So – stop out at the orchard and have fun with your family!  If you want to PYO pumpkin – either BYO wagon or grab one of the ones from under our lean and head on out to the patch (we have maps in the store if you don’t know where it is).  Then you way your pumpkins under the lean at the ‘Pumpkin Weigh Station’.  On the sheet found at the station you can mark where you pumpkins weighs.  Put your pumpkins in your car and then bring the sheets into the shop to pay.

Lots of fun to be had!

The next on my saucesational list was the Haralson apple.  I peeled, cored and sliced some Haralson’s into the slow cooker. 

A few hours later I had some jaw tingling tart applesauce. The apples were more chunky than smooth once they were cooked down.  I liked the texture but they were just too tart for me.  Mix in a few sweeter apples and you’d have a great sauce!

It was time for me to cook up some more apples and see how they sauce up.  I took some Regent apples – my sister-in-law’s favorites – and peeled, cored and sliced them.  I put them in my slow cooker and sauced them up!

A few hours later – I had some delicious applesauce!  The regents cooked down more smooth than chunky but still had a bit of texture left.  They had a bit of tangy tart flavor.  I liked it – BUT a few more varieties of apples mixed would definitely add some depth to the flavor.