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Perfect Pies: The Best Sweet and Savory Recipes from America's Pie-Baking Champion: A Cookbook
The smell of a pie baking in the kitchen immediately conjures up feelings of comfort, nostalgia, and love. Michele Stuart vividly remembers standing at her grandmother's apron hem as a child, as she fine-tuned (and improved!) family recipes that had been passed down for generations. Eventually, Stuart's lifelong passion for pie-making inspired her to open what would become the world-famous shop Michele's Pies.
You don't have to travel to Michele's Pies in Norwalk and Westport, Connecticut, though, to taste Stuart's mouthwatering creations. Perfect Pies shares nearly eighty delicious recipes, many of them National Pie Championships winners: There are desserts bursting with fruit (Country Apple Pie, Blueberry-Blackberry Pie), crunchy with nuts (Chocolate-Pecan-Bourbon Pie, Maple Walnut Pie), cream-filled delights (Coconut Custard Pie, Lemon Chiffon Pie), and pies perfect for a party (Ultimate Banana Split Pie, Candyland Pie). And let's not forget Stuart's sensational savory creations, from Lobster Pot Pie to Quiche Lorraine to Italian Wheat Pie. Stuart also passes along easy recipes for Hot Fudge Sauce, Raspberry Jam, and Whipped Cream to top it all off.
Stuart's secret, she says, is that her pies are "made by hand with love," but she doesn't neglect to advise you on the basic kitchen tools you'll need as she reveals essential tips and techniques, from how to roll out dough to the best way to make light and flaky crust. And of course she stresses the use of fresh, seasonal fruits and other wholesome ingredients. "The best pies are the ones that keep it simple," Stuart notes. So whether you're a pie novice, a weekend baker, or a seasoned pastry chef, Perfect Pies will help make everything you bake worthy of a blue ribbon.
You don't have to travel to Michele's Pies in Norwalk and Westport, Connecticut, though, to taste Stuart's mouthwatering creations. Perfect Pies shares nearly eighty delicious recipes, many of them National Pie Championships winners: There are desserts bursting with fruit (Country Apple Pie, Blueberry-Blackberry Pie), crunchy with nuts (Chocolate-Pecan-Bourbon Pie, Maple Walnut Pie), cream-filled delights (Coconut Custard Pie, Lemon Chiffon Pie), and pies perfect for a party (Ultimate Banana Split Pie, Candyland Pie). And let's not forget Stuart's sensational savory creations, from Lobster Pot Pie to Quiche Lorraine to Italian Wheat Pie. Stuart also passes along easy recipes for Hot Fudge Sauce, Raspberry Jam, and Whipped Cream to top it all off.
Stuart's secret, she says, is that her pies are "made by hand with love," but she doesn't neglect to advise you on the basic kitchen tools you'll need as she reveals essential tips and techniques, from how to roll out dough to the best way to make light and flaky crust. And of course she stresses the use of fresh, seasonal fruits and other wholesome ingredients. "The best pies are the ones that keep it simple," Stuart notes. So whether you're a pie novice, a weekend baker, or a seasoned pastry chef, Perfect Pies will help make everything you bake worthy of a blue ribbon.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 13, 2014
Has a recipe for every pie you would expect, with a few twists on the traditional to be refreshing. Light on photos unfortunately.
March 7, 2014
Love this book! I've always been a bit intimidated by baking pies and Michele Stuart takes all of that away. The recipes are so simple and delicious. I keep returning to them again and again.
June 21, 2015
I made two pies from this book - the lemon meringue and the ricotta pie. The ricotta pie was fabulous. The meringue on the other one wasn't so great, but I think that was my fault. Anyway if you need to make a pie, this is a book with clear instructions and easy-ish recipes (pie is for intermediate cooks anyway).
June 5, 2012
Read this book last night. I am going to hone my pie making skills this summer. Rhubarb, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries here I come!
March 13, 2021
I will definitely be ordering Michele’s Maple Pumpkin Pie for my own family’s Thanksgiving dinner!
Bobby Flay
Bobby Flay
November 25, 2011
There are some great recipes for someone who is a beginner with making pies like me. I may have to buy this book instead of just checking it out because there are too many people on the reserve list and it takes time to make all these wonderful pies.
January 23, 2014
Can you really consider a cookbook read? Well, I've made two pies -- both delicious. Her recipes all sound fantastic but I will say that some of the cream pies seem more challenging. I'm up for trying them in the future.
November 10, 2016
My daughter has made the Lemon Meringue pie recipe in this book twice now and it's yummy. She's also used the pie crust recipe and the apple pie recipe. We will continue to try the different recipes.
February 7, 2012
Yummy yummy!!
April 2, 2013
so yummy looking!
July 19, 2014
I rented this book so me and my younger daughter can make a pie .she love to bake and cook so any chance I find a cook book I think she will like I rent it and go threw it with her .
June 17, 2015
Read this book last night. I am going to hone my pie making skills this summer. Rhubarb, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries here I come!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews