new to pie making - recommendations for what equipment is needed please....

Flat_Eric

I've bought my OH the Hairy Bikers Pie cookbook for xmas. I thought it would be a nice touch to get a few useful utensils (pie dishes etc) so that he can start experimenting straightaway! but I'm not sure what to buy? I have had a look on lake$and but i'm not sure whether to go with ceramic or enamel - what sizes to get etc ? ideally, I would like a round dish for big pies then smaller dishes for individual pies.

Also do I need one of those pie funnel things ?

anything else that I should get for perfect pie making ???

Harrietxxx

I don't know personally, but most cook books have a list of what you need in them, might be worth a look if it's not all wrapped up

mandragora_2

Right - for pies with pastry on the bottom - metal pie dish.

For everything else (ie, pies which are only a pastry lid) I'd go with a pyrex pie dish.

I wouldn't spend more than a fiver on anything, because I'd go to a car boot or jumble sale for the pyrex. Pay about 20-50p per piece, and you can get a range of sizes/shapes if you have space in the cupboard! If you don't happen to pick up a metal pie tin at the same time, pop into a decent-sized supermarket on the way home and pay about a fiver. Luxury item would be some little beans for blind-baking with - they're expensive, and you can make do with scrunched up foil just as well.

Pie funnel - cute, and blackbird-shaped if you must - otherwise either use an egg cup or plenty of filling!

Buy him a rolling pin, and my best tip for pastry is make it with butter at room temp so it all blends quickly and easily - forget all that nonsense about cold butter. Get it mixed quick, don't fiddle on with it, then let it rest in a cold place.


And enjoy!! What a great gift, and a great interest.