ALMOND AND SAFFRON VALENTINE PIES

Friendship Day was the most popular college celebration I knew of when I was growing up.  Seriously, I never celebrated Valentine's Day until the last year of my graduation. It was so interesting and fun to see girls buying cards for their Valentine. They got so giddy over it!

On Valentine's Day, you could see girls dressed their best. They wait for their Valentine to come with red roses.  Few guys did come, and the rest were jealous.  The four(my friends and I) did not have much excitement on the day and tried to get past the day without being too embarrassed or annoyed. This happened for years.

So, the last year of college, my friends and I decided that we would give each other roses and cards. We wouldn't worry about these men who didn't deserve us. It was funnier than it sounds now.

In the morning of Valentine' Days, we all met a bit early and went out for coffee. We exchanged our gifts and flowers. Entering the college with flowers in our hands was a quite proud moment. I remember a few of other friends went winking at us, I guess they just imagine the flowers that we had we given by guys..:).  We carried on with what they thought and it was not a bad day to have virtual boyfriends.  It was fun.



That was then, now I don't even believe that women or men should be showered with love/flowers and gifts on Valentines day alone.   
Here's a dessert which combines one of my favorite stuffing, which, by the way yum by itself. It is complete sweet heaven. Now, imagine that sweet heaven encased in a pie crust. Mmm!  It's one dessert, among a few others, which I am planning to make for a big party that I am hosting in a few days.

ALMOND AND SAFFRON PIE
Makes 10-15 pies
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 22 minutes

Ingredient:
For the pie crust:
1 cup All purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 stick very cold butter cut into squares
2 tbsp vegetable shortening 
2 tbsp sugar
1 egg
pinch of salt
2-4 tbsp ice cold water

For the stuffing:

1 cup almond meal
1/2 cup milk powder
1/4 tsp crushed saffron
1/3 cup sugar(use it according to how sweet you want your desserts)
3 tbsp of milk
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
Egg wash to brush over the pie for the golden crust.


Method:
For the pie crust:

1. You can use a cuisinart or a standing mixer to make the dough.  Keep the butter in the freezer for 30 minutes before making the dough.  Add the flour, salt, sugar, egg and pulse for few seconds.  Add the butter and shortening and let the mixer run until everything is incorporated and you can see tiny specs of butter in it.  Add ice cold water a tbsp at a time and pulse until it all comes together to form a dough.  The dough will take anywhere from 2 to 4 tbsp depending on the temperature in the kitchen.  ONCE it all comes together, wrap it in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.

2.  Roll the dough, cut to any shape, stuff, crimp the edges with a fork and brush with some egg wash Cut a small slit in the middle to allow the steam to come out and bake the pies for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown in a 350 degree oven.  

For the stuffing:

1. In a microwave safe bowl add almond meal, milk powder, saffron, sugar, milk and cook it for a minute.  Take it out and stir it and cook for another minute.  It will take about 3-4 minutes to cook and it will be slightly thick.  Take it out and mix in the cardamom powder.
Cool and stuff it in the pie.

ENJOY!
___________________________________________________________

Note:
You can make the pie dough and wrap tightly and freeze it for a longer time.
The stuffing is great as a dessert on it's own with some icecream.
Make sure all the ingredients are cold when making a pie.
Do not over stuff the pies.

Have fabulous Valentines day with your precious someone.  
 Copyright 2013 - Food Fashion Party