Note: This post includes a long story that has nothing to do with the recipe. Please scroll to the bottom to get my grapefruit pie recipe!
It was the summer of 2006. I was at an outdoor music festival with my friend Julie and we were full of adrenaline, alcohol and nicotine (yes, I was once a smoker). We danced our way through sets from Gnarls Barkley, The Raconteurs, Kasabian, Thievery Corporation and Brazilian Girls.
Only two bands remained- Scissor Sisters and The Flaming Lips. Our legs were tired and we decided to relax for awhile on the grass so we’d have a good spot for the next act.
People were scattered about, laughing and drinking. The weather was perfect and the sun was beginning to set.
A friendly, scruffy looking guy approached us and asked “Hey, do you guys like The Flaming Lips?” Julie was chatting on her phone so I responded for both of us, “We do; this will be our first time seeing them live. Can’t wait!”
“Would you like to dance on stage during their set in santa costumes? We’re bringing fans on stage and we need two more people.”
I stared at him for a moment trying to figure out whether this was a joke. He had bypassed everyone else sitting around and walked straight over to us. Was he serious?
There was a lanky, long-haired dude standing near us, listening to the conversation with his mouth hanging open. I’m guessing I probably had a similar expression on my face.
Julie was still on her phone and had no idea what was happening. “Of course we’re interested. We’ll do it. JULIE GET OFF THE PHONE!”
The long-haired dude asked if there were any other spots because they were his favorite band. “Sorry,” said the friendly, scruffy looking guy, “these are the last two spots.”
He wrote down our names and told us to come behind the stage when the Scissors Sisters set started. “We’re doing what?” Julie asked.
We walked backstage and were immediately overwhelmed as we saw members of the various bands we had been watching throughout the day. We were escorted into a small room on the side of the stage where we were handed the smelliest santa costumes in the universe. After a day of dancing in the sun we probably didn’t smell like roses, either. We watched the Scissor Sisters set from behind the stage, which was pretty damn cool. More and more people began appearing around us in assorted weird costumes. I remember aliens and skeletons.
“Santas, over here!” There were around 8-10 of us. We were handed large flashlights and given brief choreography instructions which basically consisted of what to do with the lights during different songs.
Not a problem. Then I heard the audience scream as The Flaming Lips were introduced and we were directed onto the stage. I found myself right up front.
I stared out into the crowd. It was one of the most surreal moments of my life. I was supposed to be in the audience. Yet I was on stage with the band DRESSED AS SANTA.
A lot of the set was a blur for me. I danced. I marveled at how close I was to Wayne Coyne, the lead singer.
I looked out at the audience and saw the long-haired dude in the front row with a vacant, sad look in his eye as he watched us dance, knowing he had been so close to dancing with his favorite band. I grew teary eyed when the band played my favorite song.
Since I was at the front of the stage facing the audience, I didn’t know what was going on behind me but every time I glanced back there were more costumed characters dancing on stage. It was unreal.
And then suddenly it was over. As we were about to turn in our costumes, Julie grabbed Wayne for a hug.
He had a ‘please get off me, you are wearing the gross santa suit’ look on his face but I didn’t care. It was my moment and I took a hug as well.
As we walking off stage we were handed special t-shirts that you only get if you dance on stage with The Flaming Lips. You know, just in case anyone didn’t believe us.
It was one of those weird moments in life that happens when you’re not expecting it. But you never forget it. And for the record, this story has nothing to do with grapefruit pie. Which you should definitely make.
Grapefruit Pie
Ingredients
- 5 ounces all-purpose flour (approximately 1 cup)
- 3 ounces unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/4 cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
Instructions
- Add flour, butter and salt into a food processor. Pulse the machine on and off until the mixture is crumbly. With the machine running, slowly add the water until just combined (do not over-mix). Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and flatten into a disc. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. (Can be made up to 72 hours in advance).
- Allow the dough the rest at room temperature for 5 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to approximately 1/4-inch thin. Carefully place the dough into a shallow pie dish. Place the dish back in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the pie dish on a baking sheet. Use a fork to poke holes throughout the bottom of the dough to prevent air bubbles from forming. Line the pie pan with foil and cover with uncooked beans. Bake for 20 minutes, removing the beans and foil for the last 5 minutes. Allow to cool while preparing the other ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place the prepared pie crust on a baking sheet.
- Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, grapefruit juice and eggs.
- Pour the custard into the pie shell, leaving at least 1/4 inch around the top.
- Carefully place the baking sheet with the pie in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. It will still be wobbly but should look slightly firmer.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight to set the custard. Serve chilled or slightly above room temperature.
Notes
A store-bought pie dough can be used to save time.
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Great story. :)
That pie looks amazing!
I think I might pass out if one of my favorite bands had me dance on stage with them. That’s awesome.
And this pie, ZOMG.
I wounder if you reduced 2 cups of grapefruit juice down to 1 cup if you would get more flavor out of it?
You can certainly try!
Any idea on how zest would behave if added to the custard? Would it remain integrated, or float to the top while baking?
I considered adding zest but I think it’s a bad idea. There was some pulp in the juice and it all floated to the top. What would probably be amazing is candied grapefruit peel as a garnish. I also considered this but was ultimately too lazy :}
Oh my gosh that is awesome! I always wondered why you had a profile pic of you in a santa suit for so long.
I love this pie. I love grapefruit anything, I make grapefruit curd bars frequently, but never thought to do a pie!
Ha! We both change our profile pic every year at Xmas. It confuses all of our mutual friends when they see us both in their feeds at the same time.
That looks awesome. I’m a big fan of grapefruit (and citrus in general). I bet you could garnish it with slices of candied kumquats (which are easy to find).
What a great story! Grapefruit pie sounds good, too.
Ha that story is amazing! I love those random moments in life. And this tasty looking pie.
Haha what an awesome memory!
Oh wow, I bet this is incredible. Perfect for a warm Summer day.
Was that Virgin Fest at Pimlico by any chance? If so, I guess I saw you dancing with the Flaming Lips!
It sure was!
I love this story! Especially the part about the gross santa costume you had to wear. And the fact that it has nothing to do with grapefruit pie … haha … which looks and sounds delicious!
This story is hilarious and amazing. Thank you for sharing!
What a cute story and fun memory to have. Love the grapefruit pie.
So I hate the term LOL but am sitting in my lounge room LOLing at the last line of this post – brilliant!! (the pie sounds pretty good too ;D)