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March 16, 2014

Recipes Inspired by Musicals – A Little Night Music

When Andrew and I visit New York, we almost always end up at the half-price ticket booth in Times Square, looking for same-day tickets to a Broadway show. Most of the time we get tickets to hidden gems, shows that we haven’t heard of starring fabulous actors that aren’t household names.
That wasn’t the case when we visited in July 2010. When we got in line, we checked the board to see which shows were available. Unbelievably, there were still tickets left for A Little Night Music by the great Stephen Sondheim, featuring two of the greatest legends of musical theatre, Elaine Stritch and Bernadette Peters. “There’s probably just two tickets left, behind a column at the back,” I thought, and quickly chose second and third choices.
When we got to the front of the line and tickets were still available, we snatched them up, not believing our luck. The show was in previews, which probably explains why we got in. But, preview or not, I thought the performance was perfect. And hearing Stritch and Peters perform was an unforgettable experience.
A Little Night Musicis named for Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (if you think you don’t know that piece of music, you probably do). And it features the well-known song “Send in the Clowns”. Only a true professional could make such a well-known song sound like you’ve never heard it before. That’s exactly what Bernadette Peters did in her magnificent performance. Seeing this show was truly an exceptional experience.
This show of missed opportunities and second chances is set in Sweden. (It was originally inspired by an Ingmar Bergman movie.) When I was looking for Swedish recipes, I came across this lovely Swedish Apple Pie. Baked without a pie shell, it’s topped with a crust that reminded me a bit of my German grandmother’s apple pies. This is one of the easiest pies I’ve ever baked and, based on the enthusiastic reviews, I’ll make it again.
Swedish Apple Pie
(adapted slightly from Stacey Snacks)
5 – 6 medium apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup sugar (first amount)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cloves
1 cup sugar (second amount)
1 cup flour
3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1 egg
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill a pie pan with sliced apples and walnuts. (I used 6 apples in my 10” pan, but if you’re using a 9” pan, 5 apples would probably be enough.)
Mix the 1/4 cup sugar with the cinnamon and cloves. Sprinkle over apples, coating them well.
Brown the butter (for instructions on how to brown butter, see these instructions). Add 1 cup sugar and the flour, and let the mixture come to room temperature for about 10 minutes. Add egg and stir well. Spread the batter over the apples with a rubber spatula or a spoon.

Bake for about 45 minutes or until golden.

Filed Under: Pies, Recipes Inspired by Musicals

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Natalie Aguirre says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    I've never had Swedish apple pie. It looks yummy. Still need to try that chicken recipe.

    Reply
  2. Joyti says

    March 16, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    I like the idea of same-day musicals…the not super planned vacation. Sounds like the best way to go 🙂

    The swedish apple pie looks delicious!

    Reply
  3. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

    March 16, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    I am craving some apple pie right now, looks delicious!

    Reply
  4. Bonnie says

    March 16, 2014 at 10:37 pm

    Beth, Apple pie is a favorite in our home. This looks wonderful! I loved "A Little Night Music". I always love these post. Food and Broadway….truly who could ask for anything more. Have a wonderful week. Bonnie

    Reply
  5. bakewithjill.com says

    March 16, 2014 at 11:48 pm

    The show and the pie sound wonderful!

    Reply
  6. Daniela Grimburg says

    March 17, 2014 at 1:44 am

    I will definitely prepare this amazing apple pie and for sure I will bake it while listen to the " Kleine Nachtmusik".
    Thank you for the inspiration, Beth!

    Reply
  7. Valerie Gamine says

    March 17, 2014 at 3:04 am

    I've never liked clowns, but the song "Send in the Clowns" always makes me think of a music box from childhood – only lovely memories (such a wistful song!). This pie looks super-amazing! So simple, too!

    Reply
  8. Angie Schneider says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Don't know about 'a little night music', but the pie looks mouthwatering, Beth.

    Reply
  9. bamskitchen says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:44 am

    I would love to visit New York one day and take advantage of all of the cultural events and shows. It is crazy how I am all the way over here in Asia and I still have not visited all of the States. A good old fashion Swedish apple pie sounds perfect hot from the oven.

    Reply
  10. Jessica Lawson says

    March 17, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Darn it, I'm off dessert for a week and this sounds so good (as does the NYC outing)!

    Reply
  11. Belinda says

    March 17, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    This is calling for some great music and a big scoop of ice cream!

    Reply
  12. Juliana Levine says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    Beth, this pie looks delicious and what I like the best is not having to deal with pie crust, which I am somehow very reluctant…
    Thanks for the recipe, have a wonderful week ahead 😀

    Reply
  13. Katerina says

    March 18, 2014 at 7:26 am

    Although I am a chocoholic, I love, love apple pies. This is definitely my type!

    Reply
  14. yummychunklet says

    March 18, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Wow. Great pie!

    Reply
  15. Kathy says

    March 18, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    Oh yum….looks delectable, Beth!

    Reply
  16. Guru Uru says

    March 19, 2014 at 1:27 am

    Such a delicious pie, and I would eat it right here right now if I could 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    Reply
  17. Joanne says

    March 19, 2014 at 10:56 am

    Wow! I'm so glad you got to see such a great show. What luck! I didn't realize Swedish apple pie was different from our apple pie. But anything with brown butter is a good idea.

    Reply
  18. grace says

    March 19, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    there really is an apple pie for every occasion! america may be known for its apple pie, but this one is nothing to sniff at!

    Reply
  19. Kitchen Riffs says

    March 19, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    Gosh, you really scored! When we lived in the NYC area we used to do pretty well getting half-priced tickets for matinees, although that meant we had to take off work. Such a sacrifice! 😉 Great recipe — pie may be the most perfect dessert, ever. Why hasn't anyone written a song called Send in the PIe? 😉

    Reply
  20. vanillasugarblog says

    March 19, 2014 at 10:23 pm

    Beth wouldn't that make a great cookbook?
    "recipes inspired by musicals"?
    Seriously!

    Reply
  21. Beth says

    March 19, 2014 at 11:35 pm

    I love that idea – when I write my first cookbook, that's what I'll do. And I'll name you in the credits!

    Reply
  22. Gloria Baker says

    March 19, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    I love this apple pie, look absolutely delicious!!

    Reply
  23. Julie says

    March 20, 2014 at 1:35 am

    My grandmother was Swedish, I don't remember this kind of pie but am going to give it a try. Plus no crust? My kind of pie, crusts and I are not friends.

    Reply
  24. mango dash says

    March 20, 2014 at 7:17 am

    Hey, very nice site. I came across this on Google, and I am stoked that I did. I will definitely be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table,but am just taking in as much info as I can at the moment. Thanks for sharing.

    Mango Juice Manufacturers

    Reply
  25. Barbara says

    March 20, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    Well, of course, I'd eat the top first…and load it up with ice cream. So it's a good thing that delicious dish is NOT in my kitchen right now! 🙂

    Reply
  26. Catherine says

    March 20, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    Dear Beth, That is wonderful that you got to see this play. The music is beautiful.
    I know this pie would get very good reviews in my house too.
    Blessings dear. Catherine xo

    Reply
  27. allieksmith says

    March 20, 2014 at 10:47 pm

    I've never heard of Swedish apple pie! I bet it is absolutely wonderful 🙂

    Reply
  28. Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says

    March 21, 2014 at 9:04 am

    Bethm sounds like you really enjoyed the performance in NY – and the apple pie looks like a wonderful treat! Eine kleine Nachtmusik is just wonderful!

    Reply
  29. Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says

    March 21, 2014 at 9:05 am

    …of course, that should read "Beth"…sorry for that!

    Reply
  30. I Wilkerson says

    March 24, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    Looks great–I think I need to try this! I have frozen apples left from fall and I love that it doesn't use a bottom crust. I think I'm going to New York this summer, so you are inspiring me!

    Reply
  31. Claudia says

    April 3, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    I love having a new version of apple pie. And you linked them so prettily together with the musical. When I lived in NYC, I saw the original Night Music at least ten times. All those grand voices and such a sweet, fun story. A lot of it was based on Smiles of a Summer Night – which is one of the few Bergman films that wasn't dour! (Although I love his films.)

    Reply
  32. Beth says

    April 3, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Claudia, that must have been amazing. If I lived in NYC, I don't know how I could ever stay away from the theatre!

    Reply

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