The absence of civility in our communities and civic discourse continues to sadden me, so I find myself thinking about our recent trip to Lenox, Massachusetts where we were, for a very short time, enveloped in the calming fall colors of the Berkshires. 
A highlight of this trip was the afternoon we spent at the Norman Rockwell Museum in nearby Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Mr. Rockwell had a gift for capturing the events of the day, softening life’s blows, and celebrating what is best about our country; his work reflects his fundamental belief of the decency of every person.
It was satisfying to view the originals of the set of Four Freedoms, inspired by Franklin Roosevelt’s State of the Union Address in 1941: “In future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.” But the one painting that captured my attention, and I am thinking about again today, is The Golden Rule. It is a reminder that the world and our human spirit is enriched by respect for our diversity.
Following the advice from pie teacher, Kate McDermott, whose motto is “be happy, make pie,” I am also seeking comfort in making a pie. The pie, among the many we enjoyed on that trip, which seems appropriate to make now, is a Tangleberry Pie. We discovered this pie while looking for pumpkins and gourds at Taft Farms, a Rockwellesque garden shop, market, and bakery in Great Barrington. This pie is a made from a combination of wild berries that have grown together such as blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, and then are baked together in one pie. Today, I am adding more sugar and less lemon. It is my metaphor for a world of peace and harmony.
People:
• Norman Rockwell. For me, he captures the spirit of the ideals our country.
Places to visit:
• Taft Farms. This market is known for its pies, especially dessert pies. The market also had in its freezer case yummy looking chicken pot pies. Unfortunately, we did not have an oven! 119 Park St. North in Great Barrington http://www.taftfarms.com/taft_farms_home
• Norman Rockwell Museum. This museum, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, holds a vast collection of Rockwell’s original illustrations and all of the covers from the Saturday Evening Post from 1916 to 1963. http://www.nrm.org/
Pie for comfort:
• Tangleberry Pie. I am using the recipe for Triple Berry Pie from Kate McDermott’s new book, Art of the Pie, A Practical Guide to Homemade Crusts, Fillings, and Life. Most berries will work here, but today it is more about adding the love.
- 1 recipe for a double-crust pie
- 6 cups of mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- ¾ cup sugar or to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice and a few gratings of zest
- ⅓ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup flour
- 1 tsp quick-cooking tapioca
- 1 Tbsp butter, cut into pieces for dotting the top of the filling
- 1-2 tsp sugar to sprinkle on top
- 1 egg white plus 1 tbsp water, beaten for an egg wash
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Put berries, sugar, nutmeg, lemon juice, zest, salt, flour and tapioca into a bowl and mix. Pour the mixture into the chilled bottom crust, dot with butter.
- Roll out dough for top crust; cover pie and make cuts to vent. Trim excess dough and crimp with fork or make scallops.
- Brush the top crust with egg wash.
- Bake at 425 degrees on middle rack for 15 to 20 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. When there are 10 minutes of bake time left, sprinkle the top of the pie with sugar. Cool before serving.
