BOOK AND RECIPE: Pies, Lies and a Last Goodbye by Maria Grazia Swan

Now you see me, now you don’t. That old saying never workedfor Monica Baker.

Blame it on her flashy hot pink Fiat or on her tendency to let her good intentions lead her astray in public view.

But when Tristan Dumont, the hunk, young millionaire who captured her heart, asks her to keep an eye on his beloved appaloosa, it’s the horse that disappears, along with MrsDumont, Tristan’s elderly wife.

And in both disappearances, Monica Baker was the last one to see the missing.

Now the whole social media world is watching Monica spinning the wheels of her Fiat and going nowhere fast but into more troubles disguised as a catering gig dubbed Kentucky Derby.

The only contest in that Derby is Monica Baker’s race to save herself and Tristan’s horse from a doomful end.

Pre-order here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082LMCLGJ?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pies-lies-and-a-last-goodbye-maria-grazia-swan/1135473012;jsessionid=1D72F9CC9877AB984572154898883D4C.prodny_store02-atgap15?ean=2940163747986

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1491061404

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/pies-lies-and-a-last-goodbye

Monica’s Quick and Easy Apple Pie

This luscious dessert is a quick and easy take on a favorite pie. 

I used sweetened applesauce that was gluten and fat-free with no artificial sweeteners. If you use unsweetened applesauce, you might want to taste and add a touch of brown or granulated sugar. Use peeled and cored apple slices if available in your market to shave extra prep time, but make sure you use a crisp, sweet apple such as Gala. 

Baking Tip from Monica: Start pre-heating your oven well before you assemble the ingredients. It can take up to 15 minutes for an oven to reach baking temperature. Time and test the temperature of your oven for best results.

Time: 30 minutes from start to finish

Serves: 6

Ingredients: 

1 9-inch, ready to bake frozen, unbaked pie crust in a disposable pie tin

1 24-ounce jar chunky applesauce

2 large, very fresh Gala apples

1-2 tables sugar or to taste

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F

1.    Cover a cookie sheet with a sheet of aluminum foil to catch any drips. Tuck the ends under the edge of the cookie sheet to prevent accidentally knocking the “wings” of the foil off center as you prepare the pie.

2.    Remove the frozen pie crust from its packaging and plastic wrapping, but DO Not remove it from pie pan. Place the frozen piecrust on a 10x13 inch or larger cookie sheet.

3.    Spoon the applesauce into the pie shell. With a spatula or long knife, spread the applesauce smoothly to the rim of the pie pan, but do not cover the crimped edges. Set aside.

4.    Cut the apples in half. Carefully remove and discard the core, and peel the 4 halves.  Slice them into 1-inch wedges. Arrange the wedges in a circle, beginning in the center until you have covered the pie, as shown in the photo. Use smaller pieces to cover any hole in the middle of the apples.

5.     Sprinkle the sugar over the raw apples to taste. If you use very sweet apples you may want to use less sugar.

6.    Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 25 minutes or until the apples are tender and the pie crust is golden but do not allow it to scorch. If the edges begin to get too brown before the apples are done, remove the pie from the oven and press strips of foil around the edges to prevent further browning. Return to the oven until the apple wedges finish cooking. 

Cool before serving.