There is a meditative quality to baking a pie. Eating it is as well! For many, there is no better classic comfort meal than these with their flaky crusts and contents that seem to spill out of every crumb. Pies are a wonderful way to ease into baking because of how universally beloved they are. Although mastering the ideal texture and consistency takes a lot of effort, making a pie from scratch is usually simpler than you might imagine. The basic steps for making pie are as follows:
To make a dough, you'll need to combine flour, salt, and butter. Mix it together with some water until it becomes a smooth and firm consistency. You can divide it into two pieces, then cover each piece with plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator. While you wait, mix together the remaining ingredients, such as the fruit or your star ingredient, cinnamon, and other flavours, as well as baking essentials like vanilla extract and sugar, to create the filling. Please ensure that you have all the necessary elements ready, if they are needed.
Now, it's time to begin preheating the oven. To prepare the dough, simply sprinkle some flour onto a flat surface and proceed to roll it out. Gently place it on a pie plate, making sure to trim any extra edges or fold the dough over. First, you'll want to gently place the delicious filling onto the crust. After that, carefully retrieve the second piece of dough that has been patiently resting nearby. Take it out and cut strips that are approximately 1 inch in length. To create a woven pattern, start by placing a few strips in one direction. Then, add additional strips in a perpendicular direction, intertwining them together. You also have the option to get creative with the top covering of the pie. For instance, you can arrange a few circles of dough in an artistic manner or experiment with other designs.
You should bake the pie for about 20 minutes, or until the crust turns a lovely golden brown and the filling starts to bubble. Take it out and allow it to cool down before cutting it.
The thing that sets a pie apart is the special filling that goes between the two layers of dough. There are so many recipes you can try out, but here are 3 simple pie recipes that are perfect for beginners:
The Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
For the crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
½ tsp salt
2 sticks cold unsalted butter
2 tsbp milk
2 tbsp coarse sugar
For the filling:
1 ¼ pounds rhubarb
2 pints strawberries
1 cup granulated sugar
2 heaping tbsp all-purpose flour
½ tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
Juice of ½ Lemon
The Vegan Apple Pie
For the dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp vegan granulated sugar
2 tbsp white vinegar
Fine salt
1 cup unrefined virgin or extra-virgin coconut oil
8 to 10 tbsp ice water
For the filling:
8 or 9 mixed apples
⅔ cup vegan granulated sugar
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
4 tbsp unrefined virgin or extra-virgin coconut oil
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon powder
¼ tsp fine salt
2 tbsp unsweetened almond or soy milk
The Lemon Meringue Pie
For the crust:
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 tbsp cold vegetable shortening
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp fine salt
½ tsp apple cider vinegar
6 tbsp unsalted butter
3 to 6 tbsp ice water
For the filling:
1 cup sugar
5 tbsp cornstarch
½ tsp fine salt
½ cup lemon juice and lemon zest
4 large egg yolks
3 tbsp unsalted butter
For the meringue:
5 large egg whites
¾ cup sugar
¼ tsp cream of tartar
Pinch fine salt
½ tsp pure vanilla extract