BUSKAID

Buskaid is a unique initiative. Its aim is to give young people from Soweto the opportunity to explore and fulfil their musical potential, through high-quality tuition on the violin, viola, cello and double bass at the Buskaid Music School. This has the added benefit of improving their educational and social prospects, and transforming their whole local community.
It was founded in 1992 by British viola player Rosemary Nalden in response to an item on the BBC's Today programme highlighting the difficulties of a group of young string players in Diepkloof, Soweto.

MY RECIPE FROM FINLAND

Mustikkapiirakka (blueberry pie)

INGREDIENTS

Filling ingredients:

• 6 cups (about 2 1/4 pounds or 1 kilo) of fresh (or frozen) blueberries, rinsed and stems removed (if using frozen, defrost and drain first)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup (about 30g) cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or quick cooking "minute" tapioca* (for thickening)
• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar (100g)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Egg wash ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk

*If you use minute tapioca, it will help if you grind it up first in a spice grinder or mini-processor

METHOD

1 Prepare the bottom crust: Remove a dough disk from refrigerator and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes to take the chill off. Place it on a lightly floured clean, flat surface. Roll it out into a circle about 13 inches wide. Place the rolled out dough on to a 9-inch pie pan. Trim the edges to 1/2 inch over the edge of the plan. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

2 Make the blueberry filling: Place the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch (or flour or quick tapioca), cinnamon, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Gently stir them so that all of the blueberries are coated with some sugar and flour.

3 Fill the bottom crust with the berries: Remove the bottom crust from the refrigerator and place the sugar coated berries into the pan.

4 Roll out the second dough disk to the same size and thickness as the first. Place on top of the berry filling. Tuck the top dough over and under the edge of the bottom dough, and crimp the edges with your fingers. Place in refrigerator while you make the egg wash.

5 Preheat oven to 425°F.

6 Brush top of pie with egg wash: Whisk egg and milk together to make an egg wash. Brush the top crust with egg wash. Score the pie on the top with several cuts (so steam can escape while cooking).

7 Bake: Place the pie on the middle rack of the oven with a foil or Silpat lined baking pan positioned on the lower rack to catch any filling that may bubble over. Bake for 20 minutes at 425°. Reduce heat to 350°F and bake for 30 to 40 minutes more or until juices are bubbling and have thickened. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Let cool completely before serving.