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Sarah Baird

Sarah Baird

Pie Columnist + Recipe Girl

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  • Location: New Orleans, LA

Pie of the Week: Cottage Cheese Pie

It's time to breathe new life into the black sheep of the dairy family. The German classic recipe for cottage cheese pie elevates the once lowly ingredient to an almost cheesecake-like status, with a homey, heirloom taste that is pleasing for even the most diehard cottage cheese detractors. More

Bronwen Wyatt's Guide to New Orleans Sweets

When she's not being honored for desserts like the grilled vanilla bean panna cotta with satsuma sorbet and pistachio brittle at La Petite Grocery, pastry chef Bronwen Wyatt is checking out the sweets in the rest of New Orleans. From pecan pie griddled on a flattop to modern sno balls, check out all her favorites. More

Baking Guides: How to Select, Freeze, and Bake with Strawberries

Have you finally retired your scarf and gloves and are itching to get in the kitchen to start whipping up some summery delights? Nothing screams humid, dawdling evenings quite like a scarlet strawberry baked good. Before you head out to pick a pint of these supple delights, though, brush up on some tips and tricks to ensure your first toe-dip into summer is a refreshing experience. More

Win, Place, Show: 3 Derby Day Sweets

There are three crucial skills every Kentucky born-and-bred lady acquires by the time she reaches the age of dinner parties and cocktail hours: how to mix up a stellar mint julep, how to pick out the perfect hat for the Kentucky Derby, and how to make at least one of the official sweet indulgences of the Run for the Roses. If you're looking to add a touch of authentic Kentucky flair to your derby party this year, whip up one of these boozy and butter rich desserts or candies while figuring out how to bet a box trifecta on your favorite horse. More

Pie of the Week: Carrot Vanilla Bean Mascarpone Pie

Vegetables and sugar have been flirting for years with one another through dishes like the Thanksgiving stand-by sweet potato pie and autumnal pumpkin bread, but these relationships have been fleeting and seasonal at best. This week's carrot mascarpone pie is proof that veggies are ready to come into their own as a part of the dessert course by reimagining the springtime favorite carrot cake as a vehicle for creamy, complex flavors. More

Snapshots from the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

The love that Ponchatoula, LA, has for strawberries can only be compared to the kind of adoration usually reserved for sports stars and pop icons: elaborate fountains spout pink water in front of the local history museum, the street signs are all emblazoned with a strawberry motif, and Louisiana has official given the designation of "Strawberry Capitol of the World" to this sleepy hamlet. So you can imagine that the annual strawberry festival is not to be missed. More

Pie of the Week: Black Bottom Chai Cream Pie

@Nicholas Byrd: Yogi Chai Rooibos is a really nice go-to, and I would probably doctor it up with a good amount of honey/milk to create chai latte.

Hooray dwarf fruit trees! Just picked some kumquats off one of my trees this morning to make some marmalade. :)

Pie of the Week: Black Bottom Chai Cream Pie

@katz2360: Haha, I'm glad there are at least two of us! :)

Blueberry-Blackberry Pie with Pretzel Crust

@plazmaorb, @gardenstate: It's just blueberry jell-o. They make it and it's available in almost all grocery stores, but for some reason doesn't seem to be on their website. You just use the gelatin powder itself in the pie. :)

Baking Guides: How to Select, Freeze, and Bake with Strawberries

Baking Guides: How to Select, Freeze, and Bake with Strawberries

@candide: I think at the very least, freezing is the best way to retain a pure, fresh-off-the-vine strawberry flavor. It would be interesting to do a side-by-side taste test to try out this idea and see how freezing has an impact on overall flavor.

Pie of the Week: Apple Butter Pie with Oatmeal Pecan Crust

@hyperfocal: especially in the first 8-12 hours, keeping an eye on it and stirring every 1-2 hours is pretty critical to ensure it begins to reduce evenly. overnight, it will be fine, but that same kind of attention should be paid for the last 1-2 hours after the lid comes off when it is almost completely thickened.

traditionally (and for bigger batches) folks did work in shifts to stir all night (http://www.semissourian.com/photos/13/63/50/1363509-L.jpg) but this isn't quite as practical now. :)

Pie of the Week: Carrot Vanilla Bean Mascarpone Pie

@santiago: I totally agree! I'm a huge ginger fan, and will have to try that David Lebovitz recipe--that sounds amazing.

Carrot Vanilla Bean Mascarpone Pie

@WetIII: The carrot puree should be the same as with pumpkin: steam the carrots for 15 minutes until tender (after peeling and dicing) then use a food processor to puree, adding in water a tablespoon at a time as needed to thin the mixture. Also, a lot of farmer's markets and natural food stores actually sell organic carrot puree.

Carrot Vanilla Bean Mascarpone Pie

@Agnes: Just a pinch (1/8 teaspoon)if you want to add it in. It just helps boost the sweetness of the vanilla.(Though, there's plenty of sweetness to go around in the pie!)

Snapshots from the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

@thesteveroller: thanks for the catch! it seems they both have that designation, and the more strawberry celebrations the better, right? also, strawberry beer is definitely a thing that's available: http://abita.com/brews/our_brews/strawberry. :)

Pie of the Week: Rosewater Lime Transparent Pie

Yes! I grew up very close to Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. They also make a pretty great shaker lemon pie. :)

Trending in New Orleans: Updated Classic Desserts

Yep! You're right. Will Do. Thanks!

Pine Nut Honey Anise Pie

The best thing to substitute would probably be walnuts, blanched, toasted and finely minced. The pie will have a bit of a different texture bite-for-bite, but will be similar in flavor.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Pie

It is a delicious pie! I'll be posting pie slice photos starting ASAP which will hopefully give a clearer visualization of the dessert. :)

Pie of the Week: Mexican Hot Chocolate Pie

Slice photos starting ASAP!

Baking Guides: How to Select, Freeze, and Bake with Strawberries

Have you finally retired your scarf and gloves and are itching to get in the kitchen to start whipping up some summery delights? Nothing screams humid, dawdling evenings quite like a scarlet strawberry baked good. Before you head out to pick a pint of these supple delights, though, brush up on some tips and tricks to ensure your first toe-dip into summer is a refreshing experience. More