Allie's favorite columnist wins Nobel Prize!

On Monday, Paul Krugman, Allie's favorite New York Times columnist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Science.

Yayyyyyyy!

Like every super fabulous person I know, he has a blog. Check it out.

Besos,
Allie

Make the pies, spread the love...

Due to popular demand (ok... request by Kathryn...), here are two pie recipes.

For both pies I use this crust recipe. The secret ingredient is vodka, but I've been using pisco here due to its staggering availability and cultural significance. I assume that any liquor with the same proof as vodka would yield the same results. Although the recipe claims that both a food processor and rolling pin are required equipment, they are not necessary (but they do make the process easier). The food processor can be replaced by a pastry cutter or a potato masher and the rolling pin can be substituted by a clean wine bottle covered in plastic wrap.

Please note that I kind of made up both of these recipes and therefore the measurements are estimates.

Pear Red Wine Infused Pie

4 heaping cups sliced pear

3/4 cup cheap red wine

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

zest from half an orange

1 tablespoon butter

pie crust recipe from above

Simmer the first four ingredients until the pears are half cooked (5 minutes or so?). Drain off all liquid and place the pear mixture in a prepared pie crust. Dot the mixture with little pieces of butter. Finish the pie with a lattice top. Check out this blog for a frightening Christian mother's lattice pie top making instructions. (Am not turning into this woman, am I?... Please intervene if I start turning into this woman....) Bake on 410 degrees for 10 minutes, then turn the oven down to 400 degrees and bake for another 40-50 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned.

Apple Raspberry Pie

3 heaping cups sliced apple

1/2 cup frozen (or fresh if cheap/available) raspberries

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar

a good squeeze of lemon juice (2 teaspoons maybe?)

1 tablespoon butter

pie crust recipe as above

Stir the first 5 ingredients together. Prepare your pie crust. Remove any excess liquid and place the fruit mixture in the pie crust. Dab with butter. Finish with a lattice top as explained above.

Pie. Make it. Eat it. Love it.

Besos,
Allie

International Health Coverage....

I need some.

I had a six month plan for travelers, but now that I'm settled here and am planning on staying for quite awhile, I want something more specifically for people living and working abroad.

Does anyone out there have any suggestions?

Thanks!!!

Allie