My youngest child is in fifth grade, finishing off elementary school not only for himself but also closing a ten year chapter for our family with our beloved school. I remember when my daughter first started Kindergarten. Lined up in front of paparazzi parents, all in disbelief over their babies starting school and soon to be weeping thanks to a little poem handed out by the teacher which still leaves me watery eyed today. As a parent, waiting through that first half day until we saw our tots again, finding them beaming with joy and excitement of being ‘big kids’, I don’t think anyone realized what lay ahead for us during the elementary school years.
As we parents micro managed tactics, lunch boxes, homework, and volunteering, we were blithely unaware we are also weaving together a fabric of community. The journey has included academic achievement in learning to read, mastering fractions, losing teeth, holidays celebrated, acts of thespian glory in countless plays and performances. Friends have been made between children and adults and life events have been weathered as one; marriages, deaths, divorces, cancer, new babies. The lines between families and teachers become blurred as the humanity in all of us rises to occasions of need.
This year a most well-loved teacher in our school community has befallen a personal situation touching everyone around her. I should step back to say our physical school building houses two separate schools. Each on their side of the building, hosting very different learning approaches, rarely do the two meet unless overlapping in the lunch room or on the playground. This particular teacher works with both schools, interacting with about 400 students total with her curriculum. She is young and vital, always upbeat and adored by children and adults alike. After undergoing an organ transplant only a few years ago, our teacher has learned her organ is failing and another transplant is needed. Despite the physical hardship the situation is causing for her, she comes to work with a smile on her face, not wishing to burden others with her trials.
Word spread throughout the schools about the situation and on the heels of shock and sadness rose the most wonderful thing. In the style of an old school barn raising the two schools pulled together to hold a Cook-Off to raise money for a fund to support the teacher’s medical needs. Adults and children alike volunteered to bring in dishes which were judged with winners receiving hand painted aprons, and golden spatulas for their delicious culinary fare. Students judged student’s food and adults judged adults. Gluten-free recipes were entered along with gluten-filled recipes.
To my great fortune, my son volunteered to judge and was assigned the Gluten-Free Dessert category. While trailing him for photos I was able to taste the fantastic entries: Mini S’mores Cupcakes (entered by the three cutest little girls you have ever seen in your life), Frozen Smoothie on a Stick, Peanut Butter Balls, and Brownies. There was also the best pie you’ve ever tasted: Gluten-Free Apple Pie made with a great grandmother’s from-scratch recipe.
It’s difficult to put into words the feeling in the room. Everyone put out their best effort. A fifth grader from our sister school brought his own toaster oven, donned a Chef’s coat and plated the most beautiful amuse bouche size Chicken Parmesan that would have made Gordon Ramsey swear in positive astonishment. Gorgeous cakes and cookies caused many an anticipatory gasp. A father and son ardently piped homemade mini wonton skin cannolis with mouthwatering filling. A chef at our sister school headed up the judging educating everyone about their task which included wearing chef’s hats fashioned with parchment paper and cardstock by the school Administrator from a pattern found on Pinterest.
The love in the room was palpable and almost too much to bear. In the ten years at the school it was quite possibly the most dedicated demonstration of ‘community’ and the first experience of the two schools fully united around a cause they all hold dear. It was a moment I’ll always remember.
I was not surprised in the least when Great Grandmother Jean’s Apple Pie won the Gluten-Free Dessert category. It was the best apple pie I can recall having; ever. Ironically when looking at the recipe it is so simple reminding that perhaps our Grandmothers, or Great Grandmothers, understood the goodness of real food, even if they did grow up without Salted Caramel!
I’m truly honored that the winner of the contest, fifth grader Elijah, has offered kindly to share his recipe with Boulder Locavore readers. When I asked why he chose to make this pie (and I have it on authority that when each he and his cutie sister above, Scarlett, learned of the effort they were immediately on board to contribute) he said that he really enjoys cooking and baking, and felt people would really like an Apple Pie. Was he ever right about that!
My Favorite Pie Crust Recipe
Butter Pie Crust is always a winner for any pie!
It’s easy to make and always creates a flaky crust.
Great Grandma Jean's Apple Pie
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Apple Pie:
- 1 favorite pie crust (Elijah used Whole Foods Gluten-Free Bakehouse Crust)
- 4 cups apples (the original recipe used Granny Smith; this pie used Pink Lady apples)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Ingredients for Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup gluten-free flour
- 1/3 cup butter
Instructions
Instructions for making the Crumb Topping:
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Mix sugar and flour in bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly.
Instruction for making the Apple Pie:
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Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
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Combine sugar and cinnamon, stir together.
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Peel, core and slice apples. Layer bottom of pie crust with apples.
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Sprinkle sugar/cinnamon mixture over apples. Repeat layering of apples with sugar/cinnamon mixture until all ingredients used.
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Sprinkle the Crumb Topping on the top of the pie.
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Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Turn down oven to 300 degrees and bake for additional 40 minutes. Test with knife for doneness.
Susan Mercurio says
He only put cinnamon and sugar on the apples? My mother taught me how to make an apple pie like this, but we put (gluten-free) flour into it also, to absorb the juice. And we add pats of butter.
It’s hard for me to follow these recipes. I live in a small town and there’s not a lot of gluten-free products sold at the local grocery store. I would like to buy them online, but I’m on a limited income and I use Food Stamps.
I’ve been frying apples in butter and sprinkling them with cinnamon sugar to get my apple pie fix.
Toni Dash says
It can be difficult both to find gluten-free products OR to find them affordably Susan I totally understand. I think your apple fix sounds perfect! You could even put them on some ice cream for a special treat.
NancyB says
I loved this story! Hoping there is a happy ending for Ms.Brooke! I was looking around your site for a gluten free pie crust recipe when I came across this one, plus researching to see if you had ever posted a green chili apple pie. Every year at this time when the Hatch green chilies start appearing I intend to make one and this year was finally the One! Oh my, was it good! Now I wish I was close to a Whole Foods so I could get this crust! Love to read everything you write!
Toni Dash says
Nancy now I need to make a Green Chili Apple Pie! I’ve never even heard of one! Great news on Brooke. She had a transplant from a friend, is doing great and had adopted a baby with her husband. Really could not have been a better outcome.
Jolene Hallam says
I made this pie the other night and I think it was pretty much raw inside….should the temperature have been 350 instead of 300 for 40 minutes?
Toni Dash says
Hi Jolene. Did you bake the pie for the first 10 minutes at 450 as indicated in the recipe, then lower it to 300 for 40 minutes and it was raw in the middle? If so I might temperature check your oven if you’ve followed the recipe ingredients as listed. Please let me know more details and I am happy to try to troubleshoot with you!
Alison stern says
As always, beautifully written article. What is unique is the subject matter and adoration for the guest of honor and the community’s love for her.
Brooke Graham says
Words cannot express my deepest appreciation for all of you who came to support me. I feel so loved and am blessed to be apart of such an amazing community! I have been grateful for all the students I have watched grow from small , timid kindergarteners to amazing 5th graders. It is hard to say goodbye after 6 years, but always love it when they come back to visit.
Thank you Toni for sharing the event on your blog and for those who donated to the Brooke Graham fund, your generosity is truly appreciated.
Thank you to the High Peaks teachers and parents who helped set up the event and of course to Michele Leffler and Lindsey Pisano for making the event happen. I know there are so many of you to thank and if I have left you out, thank you.
Toni Dash says
Brooke you’ve expressed your appreciation in the way you’ve fostered a love for activity and healthy in our children, and in the way you relate to them and treat them. There is no question why you are so well-loved. xo
Laura @ Family Spice says
Oh, I hear ya. My Middle-Child is also in 5th grade. It’s a hard pill to swallow as my youngest is two years younger. I bawled like a baby when my youngest left the preschool our family grew to love. I will cry like a baby when we say goodbye to our elementary school too.
Toni Dash says
It’s a great reminder to soak up every day, good or bad, isn’t it Laura? It seems your children will be in elementary school forever and the next thing you know you are stumped about where the time has gone.
Jackie H. says
Thank you for such a beautiful article. The evening was amazing. As the mother of the recipient of the benefit, I had tears in my eyes as I looked around the room realizing that all those people were there for this cause. It is a comfort to know she is surrounded by so much love and caring. You’re an amazing group of people and thank you so much to everyone who participated in this marvelous event.
And the apple pie was so delicious I couldn’t believe it was gluten free.
Toni Dash says
What an honor to have your comment Jackie, thank you. I’m so glad you were able to be there. I spoke a bit to Brooke and we both tried to take in the amount of love that was present and as I mentioned in the post, it really was almost unbearable. And it’s all a reflection of how our community feels about her. I’m sure it was a powerful experience for you as her dear mother.
Gina Muller says
I so love everything you post, but I have a personal interest in this one. First, your writing and pictures are beyond amazing. I am so proud of my babies and honored to have you post my grandmother’s recipe. I have enjoyed this pie my whole life and always looked forward to it at every family gathering (by the way, she makes an amazing lemon meringue as well). We would arrive to grandma’s house each holiday to an assortment of hand made, from scratch, pies.
The cause for our beloved teacher is the best part of the post. I adore her and I know she was touched both by the event and the post. Thank you so much, not just for your beautiful work, but for your kindness and compassion.
Toni Dash says
Your comment has been a beautiful way to start my day; thank you. You too have been devoted to this effort and I think the outpouring of support for the cause has been so gratifying. A great reminder that even the smallest amount of help when combined with others can really deliver amazing results.
Michele says
Toni,
Thank you so much for writing this beautiful article. It was pure joy to put the event together & without the help of so many staff members and parents, it would have been impossible! We raised over $6,000.00 to be put towards her medical expenses. Hopefully someone will step forward to donate a kidney!
Again, thank you so much for writing about this. It was an awesome experience seeing both schools come together for such a great cause!
Toni Dash says
I’m just so astounded at the money raised Michele. As I mentioned to a prior commenter, it’s a reminder of how resourceful a group of individuals can be when rallying around a cause with such heart. And of course you, my dear, were the champion in all of this. I feel lucky to call you a friend.
Grandpa Jim says
I am so very proud of my grandchildren and their involvement with this program. I was glad to supply my mother’s recipe so Elijah could undertake this endeavor. It has always been a family favorite.
Toni Dash says
Oh ‘Grandpa Jim’, what a delight to have you leave your comment! Thank you from my entire family for sharing this fantastic recipe. Elijah certainly did you proud as the pie not only won his catergory but was gobbled up faster than you could imagine.
You are right to be proud by your Grandtots; all of them are so community-oriented, sensitive and caring. I’d guess maybe there is a bit of your DNA shining through?! Thanks again for your time in commenting.
julia says
What a beautiful post! That apple pie looks delicious too!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Julia. The pie really cannot be captured in words. I would have happily snuck into a corner and eaten the entire thing!
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
What an incredible effort! Sounds like a day to remember. Also, PIE!
Toni Dash says
It really was Aimee and I just learned the effort raised over $6,000! Isn’t that remarkable, and a reminder of how resourceful people can be when working together. And the pie was the cherry on top of the whole experience!
Beth Helgans says
I agree! Best Apple pie I have had in years. Thanks for sharing the recipe, the adorable pictures of sweet Elijah and the details of the night. We are such a special school community. Feeling lucky to be a part of it!
Toni Dash says
Beth you aren’t just part of it; it’s people like you with such devoted care that make it what it is. I feel so fortunate to have taken this journey with you!
CS says
What a beautiful post today. You told me about this teacher and the baking that was done for her, and now such beautiful writing and pictures today, thank you. Nobody but you could represent this community in pictures and words.
Toni Dash says
Thank you. So much.
Mrs G says
You described that magical night perfectly, Toni!!!
Thank you! And I can’t wait to try Elijah’s pie!
I will miss your family a lot as G moves on to middle school. I’ve seen both kids grow and become sweet, respectful and happy young people. You should be very proud of them.
Thank you for all your years of volunteering and dedication to our school. Will certainly miss you too!
I’m so glad I’ll be able to keep in touch via Boulder Locavore!
I’ve seen this “baby” of yours grow into a fun, interesting , and informative blog. Wishing you continued success! Love, Mrs G
Toni Dash says
Mrs G you are making me teary eyed! I am very proud of them and feel so fortunate that caring adults such are you have shaped their education with such fun and curiosity! Thank you for being such a long standing supporter of Boulder Locavore. I can’t express the depths of my appreciation in words.