“Mmm, pie.” – Homer Simpson
I can’t possibly think of a better intro to Pie: 80+ Pies and Pastry Delights, a new cookbook from Global Baker, Dean Brettschneider. A pie to a Kiwi is, well it’s a sacred bastion of culinary delight and it is not one to be taken lightly.
Just try and explain what a pie is to an American. They just can’t get their heads around the fact that a pie needs to have meat in it. Luckily for Brettschneider, he puts the meat section first in this cookbook. Best of all he starts with a classic, the mince and cheese.
I’d be lying if I said I read anything past the meat chapter when I first picked up the book. In fact, after I read the mince and cheese recipe I was somewhat surprised to find there were more recipes to come. How curious! But yes, there were more. And not just a whole bunch of other ways to make a mince and cheese pie. Not even a steak and cheese pie, there were all sorts of recipes.
Brettschneider presents a bakery full of amazing looking pie treats, using proper meat and even dabbles a bit in seafood too. Amazing! I’m still spinning that there is more than one type of pie. What really surprised me was the sweet pies. Yes, you fair dinkum kiwi chaps out there, there are such things. I didn’t believe it either, but Brettschneider has widened my world view on the humble pie.
Polite mocking aside, Pie covers all the various species of pie out there. But what sets this book aside from a basic cookbook is the fact that it actually tells you how to make a pie. Let me explain, for you see, making a pie is not just following a recipe. You need to understand the whole pie making craft.
Brettschneider covers the tools you will need, how to make a slew of different pastries and all points out all the best ingredients.
I’m no baker, but after browsing this cookbook I’m inspired to create my own pie. Pies are more than just baking, they are an artistic pursuit. You can follow the recipes and they are fantastic, but Brettschneider also gives you the tools that will enable you to create your own masterpiece. Who knows, your pie may even be the next ‘first page’ recipe.
REVIEWER: Drew Thompson
TITLE: Pie: 80+ Pies and Pastry Delights
AUTHOR(S): Dean Brettschneider
PUBLISHER: Penguin Random House
RRP: $45.00