Pie Crust Without A Rolling Pin? Is it possible?
The other day I was making pie crust for Tuesdays With Dorie's Double Crusted Blueberry Pie (I'll be posting that tomorrow) when I realized that I didn't have a rolling pin! I left my good one with my son when we left Vermont. I figured "What would I need a rolling pin for in the boat?" This isn't the first time I needed a rolling pin and it probably won't be my last either. I really should confiscate it next time we go back to visit.
Exercise Those Muscles~ Reach for That Bottle!
Everyone that knows me, knows I have at least a case of wine hanging around at any given time. Yeah...I couldn't fit a rolling pin on the boat, but I can always seem to find room for a case of wine! I made my pie crust and then I remembered using a bottle of wine as a stand-in rolling pin for a previous project. Ta-Da! Instant rolling pin! I always have a bottle of white wine chilling in the fridge, so I had a nice COLD rolling pin to roll out the pastry.
Flaky Pie Crust Recipe
It worked like a charm. The pie crust never stuck to the bottle and it rolled out nice and even. You can use your favorite pie crust recipe or you can try my favorite Flaky Pie Crust Recipe. I've been making it since 1989 and it's never let me down! The directions aren't hard, just substitute a bottle of wine for the rolling pin! So, if you ever find yourself without a rolling pin, reach for that bottle of wine on your shelf. It may just be the best pie you ever make!
Bon Appétit!
And you know what the best part was? I opened the bottle when I was done and had a glass of chilled 2005 White Truck white wine! I've used the cheap stuff and the more expensive stuff, but in the end, the pie crust still tastes the same! As I stood there sipping my wine and patting myself on the back, I marveled at just how easy pie crust could be. Julia Child often had an open bottle of wine on her cooking shows and drank while she was cooking. What? And you thought the wine was just for her recipes? If it was good enough for Julia, it's good enough for me! Ahhh...now that's what I call a hard day of baking!
Blueberry Pie and a Bottle of Wine!
You can find the recipe for my Blueberry Pie here. It looks good, doesn't it? I'm telling you, it was the bottle that made all the difference!
Ha, ha! Wine bottles are my backup rolling pins, too! And clearly, there are advantages to white over red. Nice job!
Posted by: Judy (Judy's Gross Eats) | July 08, 2008 at 02:37 AM
For the first few months after B and I got married I didn't have a rolling pin (now I have two). A wine bottle did the trick every time! :-)
Posted by: Carrie | July 08, 2008 at 08:49 AM
ingenious! :) can't go wrong with that!
Posted by: kim | July 08, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Great tip! If Julia did it, why not, eh?
Posted by: [eatingclub] vancouver || js | July 08, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Yet another wonderful use for a Wine Bottle!!!
Cheers
Cathy
www.wheresmydamnanswer.com
Posted by: Cathy C | July 08, 2008 at 12:00 PM
As Leo Bascaglia said "You're always my friend if you have California wine"
Very ingenious way of rolling your crusts!
Posted by: Natashya | July 08, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Your wine bottle rolling pin post brought a huge smile to my face. I will always think about this whenever I reach for the boring, ol', regular rolling pin!
Posted by: Paula | July 08, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I saw this post on FoodGawker and just felt compelled to share that I too, was rolling out dough and it was (shock!) on a day in a wine-less apartment...
...I used my Sigg bottle. Worked perfect.
Posted by: Laur | July 08, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Oh I love your style :)
Posted by: Kristen | July 08, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I once resorted to this trick when visiting my Mom -- she had given away her rolling pin. Sure enough, works like a charm!
Posted by: Barbara | July 08, 2008 at 06:16 PM
So clever! I love it! I must say- I never would have thought of this on my own! Brilliant!
Posted by: GirlCanBake | July 08, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Well, aren't you clever. :)
Posted by: Dragon | July 08, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Hahaha...that's beautiful! I ALWAYS have a bottle of wine handy!
Posted by: Dawn of Dawn's Recipes | July 08, 2008 at 08:43 PM
I've definitely used a rum bottle as a rolling pin before... well done!
Posted by: brilynn | July 08, 2008 at 09:33 PM
I love that you posted this. I just used whatever is lying around (usually a jar), but I just ordered a rolling pin today!
Posted by: Esi | July 08, 2008 at 09:40 PM
I love your chilled rolling pin! :)
Posted by: Karen R | July 08, 2008 at 11:13 PM
That's brilliant! I regularly use my Starbuck's travel mug, but a full and chilled wine bottle would definitely be a better bet. And, by the time you're done with the dough, a white wine would be at the perfect drinking temperature!!
Posted by: Jackie | July 09, 2008 at 12:55 AM