The ABC’s of Pie for TDay
Since I began the Art of the Pie blog, I’ve been offering recipes and tips for TDay pies. It’s become the Pie-One-One help page. Over the next few days, I’ll be posting photos and links for you as you plan your menu and get ready for next week. Today we’ll begin with The ABC’s of Pie for TDay and first up is A.
A is for Apple and Angel Pies
Apple is such an iconic pie. Some say it is what comes to mind when we think of pie—that great big, mile high apple pie emerging from the oven, with a golden brown top, and with steam coming out of its vents. Here’s the recipe that I’ve been making for decades. It’s been featured in many books and magazines, too.
A is also for Angel Pie. This one will provide an unexpected addition to the dessert table. It’s light. It’s airy. It’s oh so good to eat. Find the recipe here.
B is for Blind Baking, Baskets, Boxes and Blessings
If you are making a lemon meringue pie, or a pastry cream, you’ll want to know how to make a blind baked crust. Here’s how to do it.
Baskets and Boxes
To carry our pies over the river and through the woods, these are other B’s to include. I am particularly fond of pie baskets…my collection is now upwards of ten…and pie boxes are nifty too. If you are placing a hot, just out of the oven pie inside, you’ll want to keep the top of the basket or box cracked a bit to let the steam out.
B is for Blessings
It’s the reason we gather. Here’s one of my favorite blessing books with a blessing for just about every occasion and then some.
C is for Cherry, Chill, Cookie Cutters, Cinnamon, and Crostatas
C is for cherry pie, which after apple pie, seems to be the one that I hear from people that they like the best. Here’s the recipe for the one that has won its share of ribbons. If you use sweet cherries, cut down the sugar a bit and add a little more lemon.
and Cookie Cutters with which you can make and decorate pie tops in so many different ways.
A Cinnamon Swirl Crust is one that will add some pizzazz and extra flavor to a filling. You’ll want to adjust the sugar in your crust and cinnamon in a filling with this crust.
No cherries? Try a Cranberry Pie.It’s one of my favs!
Crostatas are great if you don’t have a pie pan or want to serve up individual desserts without having to cut them. They’re easy to make and you can have them for breakfast the next day, too.
C is for Chill and for those who have followed me for years (thank you very much by the way!) you’ll know that Rule #1 is : Keep Everything Chilled, Especially Yourself!
By the way, for those who have read The Tree House story in Home Cooking, I’ll be heading to the annual potluck that’s been going on for well over thirty years now, and bringing a few of the pies that will be coming in book three. Although we may not be related by blood, we are related by decades of friendship, and I feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community.
Coming tomorrow? You guessed it. Letters D, E, and F!
While apple pie is certainly in my top ten your recipe for peach pie is my number one choice. I would hate to tell you just how much of the last one I made went into my overfilled stomach. So good I couldn’t stop.
Dear Susan, That’s my favorite pie, too…especially with sweet and juicy peaches.
Hi cousin, so glad you are back on FB. More yummy recipes to try!
Hi Patty! I had a lovely time in Austin and it was great to see our schoolmates, Debbie and Vicki. I’m happy to be home now. xo
Just love the cinnamon swirl crust, Kate!
It is really fun and easy to do, too, Greg!
Hi Kate, just getting a chance to review the alphabet of pie you’ve put together, fun way to present so much pie! Being a basket enthusiast I’m wondering at the proper dimension for a true Pie Basket. There is a great basket source I like to use called Lucky Clover, they are an online source, I purchase my banettons for bread proofing from them. Very reasonable prices too. Thank you for being a Pie Pusher! Feed my addiction please!
Hi Nancy,
I would measure the widest part of the pie plate, add an inch or so to make sure it fits in easily. The dimensions of this basket ( 13½”L x 11¾”W x 5½”H) for a single pie may be of help.