Gourmet Gift of the Day Blog

Last week-end we were at our cabin up north and I found a large rhubarb patch.  That reminded me of the delicious rhubarb pies that my grandma used to make when I was younger.  We would bring her grocery bags full of rhubarb and she would turn them into delicious blueberry-rhubarb, raspberry-rhubarb and especially strawberry-rhubarb pies!  The slightly tart flavor of the rhubarb blends wonderfully with the sweet berries and produces a flavor-filled dessert that is worth sharing!  The only thing that makes these pies better is a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which is exactly what we added to the Strawberry Rhubarb pie we received from Vermont Trade Winds.  While it wasn’t the same taste I remember from grandma’s kitchen many years ago, the pie was still juicy, tasty and delicious!  Tubby’s Homemade Fruit Pies still had the rich melting of flavors but the berry flavor was a bit stronger than the rhubarb flavor.  I could still find the tart addition of rhubarb, but I almost wish it would have been a little more pronounced.  In any case, the pie was a great throwback to younger days and I will certainly order it again!  We received 8 – 3 1/2″ pies for $48.95 plus only $6.95 for 2nd day air shipping.

Some of the world’s tastiest cherries are grown in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  So you would expect that some of the world’s best cherry pies would come from the same place – and you would be right!  The pies offered by the Grand Traverse Pie Company combine locally grown Montmorency cherries with a flaky made-from-scratch pie crust.  The pies are then flash frozen to preserve their full flavor, and shipped via overnight or 2nd day air to ensure that it tastes as if you baked it yourself.

These tasty pies have gained nationwide recognition by being featured on both CNBC and The Food Network, and their popularity has grown by leaps and bounds since the company was founded in 1996.  Try a signature “Old Mission Cherry Pie” for $24.99 plus shipping.

This year, we hosted Thanksgiving at our house.  My mom joined us, as well as my 2 sisters and their families.  Nineteen of us enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving feast – turkey, potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberries, and of course – dessert!  With all the planning that had to be done to ensure the meal turned out perfectly, I didn’t want to worry about dessert, so I ordered a 10″ pecan pie from Pie Gourmet, Ltd.  The pie arrived on Wednesday, and my husband couldn’t wait to try it so he snuck a small piece that night.  He promptly told me that I will never have to bake a pecan pie again, if he ever wants one he will order it!  Pie Gourmet offers local delivery if you live in the Washington D.C. area (their delivery list includes towns in Virginia and Maryland as well), or you can have it shipped via FedEx Overnight.  The pies can be ordered online or over the phone, and they are baked fresh the same day you order.

Made from scratch, flash frozen and shipped to your door, Heritage Pies feature a homemade apple pie that appears to have magical qualities – it disappeared less than 24 hours after I received it!

Each mouthwatering apple pie is hand made – using 12-14 apples sliced inside a rich, buttery crust.  Weighing more than 5 lbs, this pie pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, a steaming cup of coffee or an ice cold glass of milk!  Heritage Pies will ship this gourmet treat to you for $34.95 (plus shipping).  If your house is like mine, the delicious aroma will probably last longer than the pie itself!

Priced at $79.95 including overnight air shipping, Mike’s Killer Key Lime Pie is an expensive indulgence. However if you are craving a taste of the islands and can’t find a good key lime pie baker in your local area, you could consider ordering up one of these pies online.

Mike’s pies are made with no preservatives or artificial ingredients so this ‘Iland-Style’ key lime pie filling is made with pasteurized egg yolks, condensed milk and “Nellie & Joe’s” Key Lime Juice. The filling sits atop a made from scratch graham cracker crust.  The pies arrive frozen to ensure that they look as good as they taste.  You just thaw it out to enjoy the rich, creamy texture.