| You might want to try a little trick I use. I take Sprouted-Grain Cereal (they are wholegrain nuggets similar to Grape-nuts) and make a crumb crust with it much like making a graham cracker crust (which would be another option for you). It only takes a little bit of butter (about 1 T. melted) to make a whole lot of taste and it will be more satisfying than completely fat-free. Add a little honey for sweetener and to help it stick together and just press it in your pie pan and bake until it is set and browned a bit. I don't have a recipe, I just guess at the amounts and I use tart pans and make a small pie for two people. I make 2-servings of homemade chocolate pudding, or blueberry filling with frozen berries and thicken it a bit and add a sweetener to taste, using this "crust" for our little "tart pies". You can also pulse the cereal in a food processor if you don't like the "crunch". You could also make your lemon pie filling, fill the pie pan, add the meringue and go entirely crust-free. Here's my version of Apple Pie and hubby has never missed the crust. I serve it in a tulip-shaped ice cream dish with a little of the cereal sprinkled on the top and it's not bad with a bit of ice cream on the top, either. Orange Sauced Apples 3 T. brown sugar (I use agave nectar - a low-glycemic sweetener) 1 T. cornstarch 1/4 t. nutmeg 1 c. orange juice 2-3 medium cooking apples, thinly sliced In medium skillet (or pan), combine brown sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg and orange juice; blend well. Stir in apple slices. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil stirring occasionally. reduce heat. Cover; simmer 5-10 minutes or until apples are tender and sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally. Serve warm. Yields: Four (1/2-cup) servings. (We like the leftovers cold, the next day.) Note: I sometimes toss in some raisins, craisins, dried blueberries, or dried cherries to change it up a bit. Here's another favorite that is adapted from a recipe for Apricot Chutney. Once again, make a crumb crust, or just serve it with some of the cereal sprinkled over the top for that added crunch. 1/3 c. apricot spreadable fruit (or orange marmalade) 1 cup chopped apple (or just a whole apple or two) 1 T. raisins (this adds a "buttery" taste without adding fat) 1/4 t. salt 1/4 t. allspice (or applepie spice mix or cinnamon) 1 T. cider vinegar Mix all ingredients and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 12-15 minutes. I'm getting to be an expert at making non-crusted pies and we don't miss the crust AT ALL! Grainlady |