Hello pie fanatics!

How are you all on this cold winter day? This weather is absolutely dreadful. The rain has a way of making me lazy and without motivation, especially when it's snowing on top of it. During the last couple of months it has snowed twice, and rained most of those months. I can't tell you how excited I am for summer. I am counting down the days for warm weather, graduation, and the start of a new beginning for me!

Hopefully, our pies are adding a bit of warmth to you all, because if you're like me, you need the most comforting and warm food you can get. As some of you may know, we have brought our pot pies back. It's crazy how many smiles brighten when I say we have them! Here's the thing; it's just so easy and less stressful than cooking a whole meal yourself. You get around 6 servings in one large pie, and that will easily fill up your whole family! They pair perfectly with a side salad, or if taco pie is more your jam, just serve it like a taco salad. We are also carrying the individual mini pot pies at Ukiah Natural Foods, which is perfect if you're in a rush. The flavors available now are; saged mushroom (vegetarian option), taco, and chicken. I am a vegetarian, and for all of you fellow meat haters, we got a delicious alternative that will fill you up! I know for me, the biggest struggle was getting full with no meat on my plate, but then my mom and sisters created an alternative that left me feeling full, light, and wonderful.

Pastry Shells now Available

Hello beautiful souls! Hope you're lives are as decadent and comforting as pie. I can't wait to tell you some of the new things that have been happening at Kemmy's Pies! Our pot pies are now available every day, pastry pie shells can now officially be purchased, and we had a wonderful time at the Crab, Wine, & Beer Fest. Meeting new people, new recipes, and enjoying the coastal views of our exquisite Mendocino County.

As some of you may know, we are in the pie business! However, we know that some of you prefer to make your own pies...crazy right? We have had many customers over the years boldly and sometimes sheepishly, request to purchase just our pastry shells, so that you can make your own creations at home.  We have been selling the pastry shells based on special request only, but have decided to start selling our single, empty pastry shells to all that are interested! We like to use these shells for pies like custards, crumb top, and meringue flavors of our sweet pies. We've also been known to sneak in a few quiches over the years for catered breakfasts and such. So, if you are wanting to make a pie to call your own, but don't want to go to the trouble of making the dough and getting a perfectly pinched crust, come on over to the pie shop! There are endless quiche variations and sweet pies just waiting to be created within the pastry shell. The beauty of pie is that it is so versatile, you can craft the most perfect of recipe or use whatever you already have on hand...sweet or savory...breakfast, lunch, dinner, AND/OR dessert! Don't be afraid to try anything! We would love to see what you can create using Kemmy's crust, so don't hesitate to share photos via Facebook, Instagram, or over email (kemmyspies@gmail.com) #kemmyspies.

We recently took part in an event for the Mendocino Coast Clinics, a wonder local non-profit organization. It was their annual "Crab Cake Cook-Off!" We have been providing dessert pie tastings at the event for the past several years, but this year the event coordinators had a special request. They asked if we would be willing to create a special crab pie to feature alongside our sweet pies. Feeling adventurous, we excitedly responded yes. We created a new and unique crab pie solely for this fundraiser and wanted to share our recipe with you, given that we think it goes perfectly in our pastry shells!

3 tablespoons of butter
1/2 cup of chopped onions
1 tablespoon of fresh, minced garlic
1/2 cup of chopped spinach
1 cup of cooked, crumbled bacon (reserve 1/4 cup)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of freshly cracked pepper (freshly cracked always adds more flavor!)
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne
2 tablespoons of flour
1 cup of heavy cream or milk
1 cup of fresh grated parmesan (reserve 1/4 cup)
4 ounces of room temperature cream cheese
1 cup of grated mozzarella
1 cup of lump crab meat (we used local crab from Caito Fisheries)
Smoked Paprika

Directions:
On a medium skillet, heat butter until it foams. Add onions and garlic, then cook until tender. Next, add bacon and spinach, and simmer for another five minutes. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne, and stir well. Add flour, while stirring consistently for three minutes. Add milk and stir until everything becomes thickened. Reduce heat, and add cheeses, while stirring until it is all thoroughly blended. Add crab then remove pan from the stove.

Finishing touches:
Grab your pie shell and put the filling in it. Sprinkle the top with the remaining bacon, cheese, and dust with paprika.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes, or until crust is golden and filling has begun bubbling.

Warmth and Comfort in the New Year

Happy new year fellow pie enthusiasts! So many things took place last year, that I don't quite know where to begin. Life sure has a way of surprising you at any possible second…but isn't that the beauty of it?

Safeway has been a major contribution to the growth of our business. They were a customer that some tried to say would force us to grow to a point that we would lose some of our product quality. It may have been a bit overwhelming at first, but then again growing your business alway presents new challenges. We experience it every time we add a new route, with new stores and we are always up for the challenge. Gaining more customers from Humboldt to the Bay area has been a real treat for us. The most enjoyable moment is when customers far from Willits, step into our pie kitchen for the first time. It is heart warming to know that people far away (even outside of California), enjoy our pies.

Recently, we had a customer come in from San Francisco. He had special ordered his favorite pies the day before. When he showed up, it was as if he were a little boy again, entering his favorite sweet shop. He ended up staying for an hour and a half watching us do our work and continuously raving about the pies. His wife finally said "honey, we should let them get to their work.”

I think that was the day I realized what Kemmy’s Pies really portrays. We don't just provide a product to taste good and have a profit. That has never been the goal, but in being something more than just another product on the shelf. We like to think that we can bring warmth and comfort to homes that may or may not have it, or a reminder of a loved one that used to make pies when you were a child, especially during the holidays. It is such an honor to know that you all save a spot for our pies to share with your friends and families at the dinner table. It warms my heart knowing our pie is being served to hundreds of families in places I don't even know.  I will give you a little secret, it's the love thing I mentioned earlier. When you put your passion and every part of you into something, trust me, it will come out beautifully. Thank you for believing in us.

         Nattat

Taylor Berries

How's life my cool crisp pies? Hope those end of summer vibes aren't getting you too down for the start of fall. I am ready for things to get back to normal, but kind of sad because now, it's time to start using my brain. 

See those luscious, bountiful berries we have in our possession? This is just one of the many great things that come along when you are from such an organic place like Mendocino County. Great people, who supply home-grown, hand picked fruits and vegetables. Having a taste of pure, natural blackberries makes our pie taste all the more delicious. 

I am going to tell you a little story, about how to get the best boyfriend award. Take your girl to see Taylor Swift. Bring along some of her fam as well, to enjoy this great performer. See, not all guys are smart enough to make this call by themselves. But like I said they are the "golden couple, " fulfilling that name as best they can. Alexander surprised Amy with T-Swift tickets, later on surprising my  mom with tickets, and last but not least,  surprising me with tickets. Any chance that comes along to attend concert, no matter who is performing, I will take. I am the type to never sit down at a concert, and dance every second. Whether I know the song or not. Amy chose good when she picked me to go with her, because we had a total blast. We knew just about every song, so she had no excuse not to dance. Along with Alex. I almost cried watching them sing Love Story to each other, realizing the fact that I was singing it to myself. 

The reason I like concerts, is because you get such a clear picture of who the artist really is as a person. You either come out of the venue liking them even more, or being totally and completely disappointed. With Taylor, we are more in love with her than before. Her confidence and energy is contagious, and the way she is okay with being dorky, makes her all the more amazing. She doesn't care what people think of her, telling us in the same breath not to care either. When she spoke, everything she said really stuck with me. Going through life always caring about what people think, and if they are going to judge you or getting depressed about a boy,  it is a total waste of a great life. She is truly a one of a kind person, and touches so many hearts by her knowledge and understanding of what we all, as humans think of ourselves. I will never forget her, and trust me. More stories of her concerts will come. 

Closing with "Shake it Off" the Levi's Stadium lit up with our sparkling bracelets shaking as hard as we could. She is and will always be in my heart as a truly outstanding human being with unbelievable talent and class.    
                                                                                           

                 

Vegan pie: WHAT? Mind= blown

Hello pie lovers! How is the end of summer treating you? I know I am pretty excited about fall flavors...I'm sure you are too. Time to say goodbye to the luscious strawberries with tart rhubarb, or the creamy decadent lemonade, and say hello to the melting essence of our pumpkin and sweet potato. You know, fall and winter are the perfect months out of the year to cozy up to one of Kemmy's sweet pies, considering you will need some extra weight to keep you warm.

The golden couple of my family, would be my sister Amy and her fiancee Alexander. They are the true core of what hard work and patience will give you. We are all undeniably excited for their June wedding in Key West. But that is not why I am mentioning them now. Xander has had food allergies since birth, and some have faded away, but he recently had some health scares in this last year, involving his throat area. See walking around with a swollen throat, unconsciously, is not very enjoyable. As of about two weeks ago, he was given a lists of food he shouldn't be eating. Minimizing any intake of dairy, soy, nut (including coconut and sunflower),  and gluten. Coming from a family who makes everything with those products. It has been a little hard, because Xander is a complete pie connoisseur, and he was very disappointed with the news. My mom had to make at least a little something sweet for him, and she discovered a brand new delicious recipe for...vegan pie!!! Yayy! Finally. Let me tell you how absolutely delicious it was. It contains Earth balance vegan butter, organic rice flour, water, chia seeds, and raw sugar. All our pies contain less than half the amount of sugar, than what a normal store bought pie has. That is why are company is special, because we let the wholesome fruits and ingredients speak for themselves. And with this vegan pie, I captured every symphonic note the ingredients made with my tongue. Kemmy made it in the flavor of strawberry rhubarb, and I went to heaven with the first bite. What I also like about this pie, is that it makes you feel full and satisfied very soon. Depending on your appetite, it doesn't give you the urge to over eat it. I wasn't surprised though. My mom can take any ingredient, and make it taste great no matter what. Hopefully I get that talent sooner or later. As of right now, I am a no-go for cooking anything solo.

That's all I have for you wonderful people today. Have a great sunny day, and tonight do one little thing for me, while you sleep.. dream of pie!

Nattat

Kemmy's Mob Madness

How are my fellow pie fanatics? I assume all of you are disappointed in my poor lack of ability to post anything this year, but say hallelujah! Cause Nat's back, and has so many things to share with you lovely human beings.

As we always expected, Kemmy's Pies is growing by the pie. Literally. The start of the business was a bit rocky, but in the world of business owning, what situation isn't? With my timeless beauty of a mother, my sister's and I, we built a cliental out of caring, honest, hard-working people. Coming from the area we are located in, you wouldn't see those factors being in account. There have been plenty of times where it seemed like there was no road left to take, then we took a good look at our faithful customers, who never stopped eating pie. That is what kept us going and always will.  All of you, who feel the love we put into our pies. In a way, its kind of overwhelming how much effort we put into every individual pie. Big or small. A huge thank you goes out to all of you who buy our pies, and even take the time to just look at this blog. We love to have feedback. Good or bad, so anytime you think of saying a little something about your experience with our product, feel free! It better's our business to have some constructive criticism.

People may wonder how Kemmy's fits so many different personalities/attitudes, into the kitchen. Sometimes, I even try to contemplate how we do what we do. But after the big blow-out of the day, we get our work on. Even faster than we had before. See. With a family full of females, things get a little over dramatic, from the fact that we all have EMOTIONS! And there is nothing wrong with that, whatsoever. That is why we come together in unity, like we do. If you were to refer us to, I don't know, say the Italian Mob. We would be a pretty good example of a less violent, but just as extreme version. The hard core nature we have comes from that Sicilian blood instilled in us from our many great relatives. A good example is Lucky Luciano. Our relation to him, is obvious from his futures to the ones we hold. Some more than others.

 

I Spy Kemmy's Pies in Safeway. What? Mind=Blown. Our product has begun in stores up and down the northern California way, and will be in many more soon. This is just the start. My expectations for our company will exceed what my family can only imagine. They say to dream big, but in the land of Kemmy's, those dreams come true. Locations in Key West, Nasville, San Francisco, and Chicago will take place soon as well. I just know it. But only as soon as we change all these cupcake and cake lovers to pie lovers. With our product, it might make that firm resolution of your decision, much harder. Hmm. Sugary, GMO, artificial taste (which is delicious, don't get me wrong), and the organic, hand-made, local fruit, and so much love baked into the crust. That is a pretty hard choice. I feel bad.  

 

If you are in to that tropical vibe, coming from someone who is an every day coconut eater, we have the perfect option for you my dear. Pineapple-Rum-Coconut pie. Smooth and sexy to the first touch of the palate, with a spark of coconut crunch. Completing that Hawaiian crave you must have.

 

Peace out my pie peeps. Love you all and stay tuned for more of the Kemmy's Mob Madness 

 

Nat

 

Concert and Weddings

Good morning Pie lovers!

Secretly, one of my mothers close friends entered her in a drawing to win V.I.P tickets to see the bands; Boston and the Doobie Brothers, for my mothers 50th birthday present and for the first time we actually won something! All of Kemmy's will be enjoying the iconic bands within touching distance. Watch out everyone, because there is going to be some pretty good looking girls out tonight. As this has been the favorite bands my mom has listened to all her life, this is a complete dream come true for her. 

Many weddings have booked Kemmy's Pies for their reception desserts, and all feedback has been over the top amazing. Make sure to contact us for reservations for any big events! Trust me you won't be disappointed whatsoever. And always remember "Wedding cakes are good, but wedding PIES are always better. "

Xoxo,
  Natalie