"We are back in the studio kitchen today with a very special guest for today," Pinkie clapped her hooves together in excitement, "He has taken a break from Wonderbolt duty to show us his pie recipe, though Rainbow Dash, might not approve." She chuckled at that inside joke.
"Please welcome fellow Wonderbolt Soarin onto our show," Gabby welcome to stallion to GME. Soarin nodded to all the creatures in the kitchen with him.
"It's great to be on something other than a Wonderbolt's show," Soarin smiled, "Apart from flying, another thing I love is a good pie. The best one I had was Applejack's at the Grand Galloping Gala. It's a shame none of those high-class nobles think her pastries are lowly common food. They're missing out on the good, simple, humble stuff." Soarin licked his lips at the memory.
"I'm glad you like them," Pinkie smiled, "Nothing like a good family recipe, handed down from generation to generation, in order to make it perfect. Speaking of family recipes, you have a family recipe for pies that you are willing to share to us."
"Yep. I have my special brambly and blackberry pie. Applejack's may have everything with apples, but sometimes, you can't beat a good combination," Soarin smiled, "So without further ado, let's get baking. Add one-hundred and ten grams of chopped unsalted butter with two-hundred and twenty-five grams of plain flour and mix until it resembles breadcrumbs. Some creature can start greasing the pie tin as well."
Pinkie pie got to work with mixing the butter and flour, whilst Gabby starting greasing the tin.
"When the pastry is mixed, add eighty grams of caster sugar. Mix again and add an egg. Mix once more to form a solid pastry mix." Silverstream took over mixing, adding the ingredients as instructed by the Wonderbolt.
"Then wrap it and let it chill for thirty minutes or so," Soarin told Marble, who placed it into the fridge.
"So how did you come to like these pastries?" Gabby asked.
"It all comes down to flying really," Soarin answered, "After training, you are exhausted, especially when you have a certain pegasus captain barking orders blowing her whistle. Something sweet really takes the stress of the day, and really good on a big night out like the Gala." Marble got the pastry out when the time was up to begin rolling on a powdered surface. She placed it over the tin with and pushed the dough in to avoid any air bubbles.
"Good job, Marble," Soarin patted the shy mare on the shoulder, causing her to blush at both the compliment and the contact, "Now just cut around the edge and poke some holes in the base." Gabby, using her talons, did so skillfully.
"You need to heat the oven at one-hundred and seventy Celestius," Pinkie instructed their listeners, "I learnt that over my experience. I have a good pie-ling system for all the pie recipes." The others snickered at the pun.
"For the filling," Autumn said next, "You need two-hundred and fifty backberries and the same amount for sliced brambly apples, along with seventy grams of brown sugar for caramelising the apples. Prepare fifty grams of melted butter, one tablespoon of cornflour and one-and-a-half teaspoons of cinnamon powder. All you have to do is mix everything together, cover and set aside in a fridge and wait until the oven is heated and ready!"
"Weight down the pastry and give an initial bake for fifteen minutes. Steam bake for another ten minutes with one-hundred millilitres of water in a try at the bottom of the oven for around ten minutes. This is help the pastry be nice and crumbly," Silverstream came in, "Thank you Pinkie Pie for that baking friendship lesson."
"No problem," Pinkie waved a hoof.
"With the remaining pastry dough, roll and cut into slices," Soarin moved on, "Get the mixed fruit, get them into the pie and layer over with the stripes. It can be whatever pattern you like, from a simple layering, to a weaving pattern."
"Wash it all over with egg to give it all a nice shine, and then bake for another forty-five minutes!"
"So what was your reaction to Rainbow Dash not liking pies?" Pinkie nudged Soarin's side.
"How can you not love the crispy pastry and sweet filling of a pie?!" Soarin sighed in defeat, "However, you cannot force somepony to change what they like. Friendship is like baking, a combination and right measurements ensure a well-baked friendship, with plenty of patience, love and understanding." Soarin smiled.
"Good. I was wondering whether that the fact will put you off trying to date with her, if you can keep up that is," Pinkie hinted, causing the others to groan.
"What are you talking about?" Soarin spluttered, "I don't know what you're talking about? I'm not dating her? I am definitely not in her awesome category! Is it hot in here? I think it's the oven that's making me hot." It was at that moment the oven told every creature that the pie. A flustered Soarin quickly took it out to allow it cool and every creature tucked in with gusto.
"And on that tasty note," Silverstream talked between bites, "We shall call it a day! Thank you to Soarin for coming along and we will see you all again soon! Keep baking."