Hey, look, pie and a story that’s almost completely unrelated!
As always, this pie comes with a side of story for everyone, because what would Pie Day be without a tale to tell?
This tale is about a criminal profiler that I happen to be related to, a familiar tale to many of those who knew me in high school or have the misfortune of being related to me in some way as well. However there are many of you who haven’t met this relative yet, so let me do some introductions here.
Now, I am sure when you read “criminal profiler” this is what popped into your head:
However, Shamar don’t have nuttin’ on my handsome Uncle Bob.
So for those of you unplugged from the TV (though I do love me some Criminal Minds) this is what one of the real profilers out there looks like. Or looked, he’s retired from the RCMP now, so picture him a few years younger.
He’s smarter than Shamar too. At the time he was a profiler he was one of a mere 5 people in Canada who were trained like himself. He’s been to Quantico for FBI training, traveled all over the country, and generally is incredibly smart about things most of us don’t really want to think about most days.
Handsome Uncle Bob and my beautiful Aunt Ev were in Edmonton a couple of weekends ago for a very quick trip and we had them over for brunch and a visit. The kids soon saw that Auntie Ev was a soft heart and leaped upon her like jackals to a feast of zebra. They sense a doting relative when they meet one and she obliged more than willingly.
Indeed, she and Uncle Bob spoiled the kids rotten with a present of money for Disneyland as well, bless their generous hearts. Although the kids now think – thanks to Uncle Bob- that if you work at a bank like my Aunt does, you just get to bring money home. I’ve been trying to explain to them for a couple of weeks now that Uncle Bob was just kidding and that Aunt Ev just picks out money and brings it home from her job every day.
When prodded about why they were in town, it had to be slowly pried from my uncle that he was receiving an award for the work he had done on a cold case many, many years ago.
Spinach and Artichoke Pie
Ingredients
- 3 cans artichoke hearts drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup compressed frozen spinach drained & defrosted
- 1 cup of old white cheddar shredded
- 1 cup of Asiago cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
- 5 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cloves garlic
- one 9.5 pie crust only the bottom
Instructions
- Kick the tires and light the fires to 375
- Combine all of your ingredients in a bowl. excepting the Parmesan cheese. Pour it into the pie crust.
- Sprinkle the top with the Parmesan cheese.Bake at 375 degrees for 40-50 minutes until it’s golden brown and cooked through.
1Browneyedgirl says
I’m new to pie making, so I have a few questions:
1) 3 cans of artichokes–can you estimate total quantity/weight/volume of this ingredient. I think I usually see artichokes in jars.
2) Is it necessary to pre-bake the pie crust prior to filling it and baking it according to your instructions?
3) In making the lard pastry, do you chill the lard prior to cutting it in? I read the Tenderflake pastry recipe on the package and there is no mention of chilled lard–yet so many pastry recipes call for chilled fat.
drleonesse says
Nothing against Shemar but your uncle looks more like David Rossi — who is not half bad either.
Karlee Pytlarz says
Way to go Uncle Bob! I remember a few stories he told me or I overheard as a kid. Always amazed me how he could be such a fun loving person after coming home from a job like that. Takes a special person!
Keyko Davidson says
Your Uncle Bob sounds amazing and pie sounds good too! Thanks for sharing!!
Kristen Oestreich says
Just came across this recipe on Food Gawker, though the recipe looks delicious I just wanted to say I really enjoyed the story! Family is so much fun and I love how every family seems to have somebody who brings out the ooh’s and ah’s! So fun! Thanks for sharing!
Karlynn says
Thanks for popping by! And yes, there’s always one relative in the family tree 😉
Jay says
Kudos to your uncle for his determination and hard work in solving such a difficult case. It’s a shame not all RCMP officers honor/respect the life, or untimely death, of Aboriginal women & sex trade workers.
Karlynn says
There are more than people think, unfortunately the media rarely features the hard working,not in the glory RCMP/police who are out there every day and do care, and care a lot. Unless it’s a sensational case like the one my Uncle worked, these men/women will just fly under the radar the rest of their careers since the media only likes to exploit those rare individuals who are on the job for all the wrong reasons!
But indeed, he’s a pretty phenomenal person!