Fourth of July is shaping up in Colorado to be a different beast this year. It seems our entire state is either on fire, in the throes of being extinguished or being monitored for new starts from the severe heat, lightning strikes and wind. We’ve been front and center in the national news for a few weeks now with a smorgasbord of fires fighting for center stage.
I personally live across the street from Open Space which creeps up and into the foothills. In January about four years ago we noted billowing smoke a fair bit north of us however the whims of wild winds changed the direction in an instant and when I sauntered out to see if I could see the fire on the mountains miles away, I was greeted by a glowing orange halo over the last homes on our street to the north and a policeman on foot giving me 15 minutes to leave. It quickly turned into a game show gone bad, as I was home alone with two small children, three dogs, a non industrial luxury car and a brain gone blank about what to harvest from our seemingly enormous home. It is very frightening and with the conditions of this summer all are on edge knowing one well placed lightning strike and our Colorado landscape which is now tinder with respond furiously.
It’s no surprise most cities have canceled public fireworks displays and personal fireworks are forbidden by law with promised penalties to be steep if caught. We generally do not attend mass public fireworks displays but have a distant vantage point from high in our house to see a number of cities’ displays from home. It still seems odd that no fireworks will be filling the skies with their shrill whistle and explosions this year. For me, I turn to the food of the day for setting a festive mood since it is a holiday surrounded by food tradition just not as widely recognized or maybe more individually personal than holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Boxing Day or Easter.
Our temps are still in the mid to high 90’s spiking into the 100’s every few days. The concept of eating anything with substance or weight or warmth seems a tall task right now. I rifled through my mother’s gargantuan recipe files, loaned to me over the winter (and under threat of being reclaimed) feeling sure there was something cool and unique to be found there and indeed I was right.
I uncovered a recipe for Cherry-topped Cloud Pie from Sunset Magazine circa 1981. Loving anything with a bit of whimsy I was immediately smitten. From reading the original recipe I couldn’t quite get a beat on the consistency or flavor of the pie. I can now say it is a unique middle ground between a true meringue and a light custard. It has a gentle flavor of orange which gives background support to the true flavor generator; the fruit pie topping.
Channeling my inner ‘Martha’ I could not resist replacing the suggested 1 pound can of pie cherries with a blend of the beautiful fresh Bing cherries now available. I would always opt for fresh fruit especially when the flavor is so perfectly vibrant. I added in some blueberries yielding a delicious blend and of course a Red, White and Blue pie. Couldn’t help myself.
My Favorite Pie Crust recipe
Cherry-Blueberry Cloud Pie
Ingredients
- 1 baked 9 or 10 inch pie crust (regular or gluten-free)
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed Orange Juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon grated orange peel (zest)
- 4 egg whites , room temperature
- 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ½ cup Bing cherries , de-stemmed, pitted and sliced in half
- ½ cup blueberries , rinsed
Instructions
- Bake pie crust and allow to cool to room temperature.
- In medium sauce pan, combine ½ cup of the sugar, cornstarch, water, orange juice and salt. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Allow to boil 1 minute, still stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in orange peel/zest and allow to cool completely to room temperature.
- Once mixture above is cooled, in the bowl of a standing mixer or using a handheld mixer, beat egg whites on medium speed until beginning to foam. Add cream of tartar and continue to beat on medium-high until soft peaks form.
- With the mixer on high heat very gradually add another ½ cup of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
- With the mixer on the lowest setting, gradually add the cooled sugar-cornstarch mixture until fully blended.
- Pour mixture into the prepared crust. Cover and place into the refrigerator to firmly set; at least 4 hours.
- In a medium bowl combine the cherries and blueberries. Sprinkle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar and stir to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and stir occasionally to coat with juices. Fruit can be left at room temperature or chilled.
- When filling is firm in the chilled pie, add almond extract to the berries, stir to combine and top the chilled pie with the berries using a slotted spoon to drain excess liquid before adding the fruit to the pie. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
All That I'm Eating says
I saw this yesterday Toni and thought how amazing it sounded. Congratulations on Foodbuzz Top 9! This is such a summery pie and it looks brilliant.
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Caroline! I think you are having a wet summer so maybe some split pea soup or a more substancial cake for your side of the pond. When the heat picks back up I agree, this is a good summer fit!
Amy says
This is beautiful! The texture sounds wonderful and all of those sweet berries atop it simply heavenly!
Boulder Locavore says
'Heavenly' is an apt description actually Amy. The filling is so light but with some substance (not purely airy). The fruit so delicious at this time of year. Hope you'll give it a whirl!
RavieNomNoms says
WOW! This is so gorgeous! Congrats on the Top 9!
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you so much!
Steph says
I live in New Mexico and know exactly what your talking about. We've got areas all over the state that are on fire. Breaks my heart. But this pie can totally lift my spirits!
Boulder Locavore says
Hi Steph. I know you too are having your share of wildfires in NM. Hoping all of this will clear up quickly. We had some rain tonight and I saw a weather alert for more rain so fingers crossed! Enjoy your 4th!
Geri Saucier says
This pie is so beautiful and easy to make – the kind of pies I like to make:) Thanks for the post and have a Happy Fourth of July:)
Boulder Locavore says
Happy 4th to you as well Geri! I too am a fancier of easy pies! This is really light and delicious; perfect for summer.
Peggy G. says
Goodness, gracious! What a beautiful pie! This would be a perfect centerpiece for the 4th =)
Boulder Locavore says
I agree Peggy and I love it's rustic aesthetic. Simple food. Happy 4th to you!
Elisabeth says
Toni, I agree with Lizzy…this is a perfect 4th of July pie. I also love those old Sunset cooking magazines, and actually had a few of them, but donated them a while back. Sometimes I still do find them at my favorite Goodwill store.
Love how you adapted the recipe, and combined the cherries with the blueberries. So beautiful, and inviting…who would not love this perfectly awesome, yummy pie!
Have a safe, and happy 4th!
xo
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Elizabeth. It's fun to look through the older recipes. Very often they are made with whole ingredients, not the fake replacement food, so they are more current to how people are eating again. Love bringing something back you know? I too felt the pie turned out so 'pretty'! It is really delish too with the light, chilled filling and fresh fruit. Hope you too will have a fun 4th!
CJ at Food Stories says
Congratulations on making the foodbuzz Today’s Top 9!
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you CJ!
gastronomic nomad says
How interesting and gorgeous these colors are. I definitely need to try this though I am with you on the fresh fruit. Stay safe and my thoughts are with you and everyone out in CO that those fires get put out soon! Congrats on top 9!
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you and I think there are many variations one could make with summer's fruit bounty. The simple filling is lightly flavored enough that it could support lots of berries I think!
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
What a lovely All-American pie! It's absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on your top 9 spot.
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you Georgia! Happy July 4th to you.