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Teeny's Tour of Pie: A Cookbook
Teeny Lamothe is a young woman on a mission―and the mission is pie. Charming, passionate, determined, Teeny traveled America to work with the country's best bakers and learn their techniques, tricks, and wisdom. Now she shares the fruits of her apprenticeship―the crumbs and crusts of her crusade―in Teeny’s Tour of Pie , a delectable journey into total pie immersion.
Here are more than 55 pies, sweet and savory, plus a complete crust primer, and all of it seasoned throughout with Teeny’s humor and inspiration. There are fruit Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, Lemony Blueberry Crumb Pie, Rosemary-Infused Caramel Apple Pie. Cream Zested Lime Curd Pie, French Silk Pie. Traditional pies―Sweet Potato Pie, Shoofly Pie, Chess Pie―and unexpected pies―Peanut Butter Brownie Pie with a Pretzel Crust, Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie. And savory pies, too, like Thanksgiving Dinner Pie with a Stuffing Crumble. Teeny is a gifted baker and writer who demystifies every step. She explains why to add vodka to the pie crust; what to do when the dough is sticky or tears; how to cut and weave a lattice topping. There are the 5 Commandments of Crust and more than 10 no-fail crust recipes, even including one gluten-free. Plus she shows how to make “teeny” pies―her specialty, using a 5-inch pie pan―from the recipes.
T eeny’s Tour of Pie captures both the timeless, homespun appeal of pie and its very timely popularity, right down to the “bakery box” cover with its embossed “string,” flaps, and spot-laminated “tape.” Includes profiles of pie-makers, personal stories, and gorgeous full-color beauty shots and step-by-step photographs.
Here are more than 55 pies, sweet and savory, plus a complete crust primer, and all of it seasoned throughout with Teeny’s humor and inspiration. There are fruit Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, Lemony Blueberry Crumb Pie, Rosemary-Infused Caramel Apple Pie. Cream Zested Lime Curd Pie, French Silk Pie. Traditional pies―Sweet Potato Pie, Shoofly Pie, Chess Pie―and unexpected pies―Peanut Butter Brownie Pie with a Pretzel Crust, Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie. And savory pies, too, like Thanksgiving Dinner Pie with a Stuffing Crumble. Teeny is a gifted baker and writer who demystifies every step. She explains why to add vodka to the pie crust; what to do when the dough is sticky or tears; how to cut and weave a lattice topping. There are the 5 Commandments of Crust and more than 10 no-fail crust recipes, even including one gluten-free. Plus she shows how to make “teeny” pies―her specialty, using a 5-inch pie pan―from the recipes.
T eeny’s Tour of Pie captures both the timeless, homespun appeal of pie and its very timely popularity, right down to the “bakery box” cover with its embossed “string,” flaps, and spot-laminated “tape.” Includes profiles of pie-makers, personal stories, and gorgeous full-color beauty shots and step-by-step photographs.
272 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 21, 2013
Four stars.
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Teeny's Tour of Pie: Mastering the Art of Pie in 67 Recipes chronicles author Teeny Lamothe's educational journey as she travels the US in order to conquer one pie recipe at a time, stopping at different bakeries and restaurants along the way in order to further her pie-ducation.
The first thing that stands out in this cookbook is that the recipes are divided by season. This makes for quick accessibility when flipping for something tasty to make, whether for the family or for a party. In addition, the first few sections go into a great detail about what tools are needed to make a great pie, and the secrets of a great crust (and how to fix them when they go awry).
The photography in here is bright and colorful, and extremely helpful when its used to demonstrate technique. As my regular followers know, pictures are a HUGE plus for me when it comes to cookbooks. Additionally, the recipes in this book are really varied- whether you prefer sweet or savory, there is a pie among these 67 recipes that you're bound to enjoy. The recipes were easy to follow, so that even beginners should have a fairly good time following the steps.
A few of the recipes that I'm looking forward to trying the most are Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie, Chai Cream Pie, and Reuben Potpies with a Rye Crumble and Caraway Crust. These are just a few out of many that I tabbed to make!
This is a nifty collection of pie recipes that I think any home baker would appreciate. It's a book I'd keep on hand on my cooking shelf as a reference. Thanks to Netgalley & Workman Publishing Company for my chance to read this. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
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Teeny's Tour of Pie: Mastering the Art of Pie in 67 Recipes chronicles author Teeny Lamothe's educational journey as she travels the US in order to conquer one pie recipe at a time, stopping at different bakeries and restaurants along the way in order to further her pie-ducation.
The first thing that stands out in this cookbook is that the recipes are divided by season. This makes for quick accessibility when flipping for something tasty to make, whether for the family or for a party. In addition, the first few sections go into a great detail about what tools are needed to make a great pie, and the secrets of a great crust (and how to fix them when they go awry).
The photography in here is bright and colorful, and extremely helpful when its used to demonstrate technique. As my regular followers know, pictures are a HUGE plus for me when it comes to cookbooks. Additionally, the recipes in this book are really varied- whether you prefer sweet or savory, there is a pie among these 67 recipes that you're bound to enjoy. The recipes were easy to follow, so that even beginners should have a fairly good time following the steps.
A few of the recipes that I'm looking forward to trying the most are Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie, Chai Cream Pie, and Reuben Potpies with a Rye Crumble and Caraway Crust. These are just a few out of many that I tabbed to make!
This is a nifty collection of pie recipes that I think any home baker would appreciate. It's a book I'd keep on hand on my cooking shelf as a reference. Thanks to Netgalley & Workman Publishing Company for my chance to read this. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
December 27, 2014
Just fantastic. This book manages to make me excited about making crust.
THERE IS AN EARL GREY SHORTBREAD PIE.
THERE IS AN EARL GREY SHORTBREAD PIE.
September 18, 2018
I've never been able to master the pie crust until I tried the recipes in Teeny's book. My favorites are the Pomegranate and Grapefruit Pie, the Apple Pie, and oh too many to name.
March 25, 2014
Teeny Lamothe wanted to be a lady pie baker, no doubt because her passion for baking and for pie came at an early age, happily learned at her mother's side. But how, she thought, could she accomplish such a feat? Deep in thought, while noshing on pie, Lamothe came up with the idea for her “Tour of Pie.” She would take a year off to travel across America, learning pie baking from the nation's finest. The only hitch was getting the nation's finest to be willing participants. A letter writing campaign ensued, and while the responses were not quite as enthusiastic as her letters, she did get a smattering of curious pie bakers to take her up on her offer of a free apprenticeship in exchange for their knowledge.
Her quest began in Seattle at High 5 Pie where she worked alongside owner Dani Cone, author of Cutie Pies. It continued as she baked her way through nine states, ending in Littleton, Colorado, at the home of her mother for her final apprenticeship. This book is invaluable to people interested in learning to bake pies, hone their skills, or increase their repertoire. Sections on equipment describe, in detail, what you will need to bake a winner of a pie, from the simple rolling pin and the many variations, to the pastry blender, crust cutter, and crust shield (something that I really do need).
The chapter on The Elements of Crust is worth the price of this book alone. Amazing detail and insight is provided along with the secret to a crust flakier than the one your grandma made, accomplished by substituting the water for vodka, an ingredient that evaporates more quickly during baking and, as such, yields a lighter, flakier crust. Venting, decorating, lattice, what to do with excess scraps of crust, are all covered in fine detail in this chapter. And the recipes! Sweet crusts, savory crusts, whole wheat crusts, gluten free, sugar cookie, pretzel crusts, each one more tempting than the other. The section on troubleshooting will help bail you out when your crust has taken an unfortunate turn.
The section on Crumbles and Creams won my heart! I am a big fan of the crumb topping for pies, largely because it saves me the trouble of working with two crusts on a single pie. Lamothe provides recipes for a variety of crumble toppings, including a savory one for pot pies that makes use of boxed stuffing. This I am definitely going to try! Recipes for variations on whipped cream abound including an orange version that she suggests pairing with her Chocolate Cream Pie. Imagine the decadence!
Each well-written, concise recipe provides information on the proper storage, coverage, and length of time a pie will last, many include instructions on how to make “teeny” (six inch) pies from the recipe instead of one large one.
The recipes themselves are truly inspired. Simple favorites share space with those filled with unusual combinations for the intrepid baker, such as Green Chile Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust, Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie (Yep, you read that right, and it is delicious!), Rosemary Caramel Apple Pie, Earl Grey Cream Pie, or the savory Reuben Pot Pies with a Rye Crumble and Caraway Crust.
I tried two of the pies, one savory, the other sweet. The savory was the Breakfast Pie with Hash Brown Crust. I shredded my own potatoes to be able to control both freshness and size of the shreds. It, on its own, was delicious. Crispy edges give way to a moist interior with a pleasant potato taste. The filling was satisfying without being heavy, and a perfect choice for spring with the inclusion of leeks. I added about a half times more than what is called for (2 medium leeks) (because I am wild about leeks), and I also chose shiitake mushrooms; a truly great combination.
For the sweet pie test, I couldn't resist the Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie. I tend to embrace oddball combinations of ingredients, so surely she had me in mind when she created this. It's a keeper. People will love this one, definitely recognize the bourbon (though it does not overwhelm), but will puzzle over why this version is better than theirs. You can tell them...or not.
I like a cookbook that I can sit down and read. This book is both readable and informative, with delicious sounding recipes, and a bit of travel info to boot. Before planning my next trip, I'm going to consult Teeny's Tour of Pies.
Here are the bakeries that she visited, in order:
High 5 Pie, Seattle, WA
Emma's Organics, Ithica, NY
Petsi Pies, Somerville, MA
Sweet Sensations Pastry, Chicago, IL
Pie Lab, Greensboro, AL
Bob Roth's New River Groves, Davie, FL
Pie Shop, Atlanta, GA
I Heart Pies, Los Angeles, CA
Her quest began in Seattle at High 5 Pie where she worked alongside owner Dani Cone, author of Cutie Pies. It continued as she baked her way through nine states, ending in Littleton, Colorado, at the home of her mother for her final apprenticeship. This book is invaluable to people interested in learning to bake pies, hone their skills, or increase their repertoire. Sections on equipment describe, in detail, what you will need to bake a winner of a pie, from the simple rolling pin and the many variations, to the pastry blender, crust cutter, and crust shield (something that I really do need).
The chapter on The Elements of Crust is worth the price of this book alone. Amazing detail and insight is provided along with the secret to a crust flakier than the one your grandma made, accomplished by substituting the water for vodka, an ingredient that evaporates more quickly during baking and, as such, yields a lighter, flakier crust. Venting, decorating, lattice, what to do with excess scraps of crust, are all covered in fine detail in this chapter. And the recipes! Sweet crusts, savory crusts, whole wheat crusts, gluten free, sugar cookie, pretzel crusts, each one more tempting than the other. The section on troubleshooting will help bail you out when your crust has taken an unfortunate turn.
The section on Crumbles and Creams won my heart! I am a big fan of the crumb topping for pies, largely because it saves me the trouble of working with two crusts on a single pie. Lamothe provides recipes for a variety of crumble toppings, including a savory one for pot pies that makes use of boxed stuffing. This I am definitely going to try! Recipes for variations on whipped cream abound including an orange version that she suggests pairing with her Chocolate Cream Pie. Imagine the decadence!
Each well-written, concise recipe provides information on the proper storage, coverage, and length of time a pie will last, many include instructions on how to make “teeny” (six inch) pies from the recipe instead of one large one.
The recipes themselves are truly inspired. Simple favorites share space with those filled with unusual combinations for the intrepid baker, such as Green Chile Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust, Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie (Yep, you read that right, and it is delicious!), Rosemary Caramel Apple Pie, Earl Grey Cream Pie, or the savory Reuben Pot Pies with a Rye Crumble and Caraway Crust.
I tried two of the pies, one savory, the other sweet. The savory was the Breakfast Pie with Hash Brown Crust. I shredded my own potatoes to be able to control both freshness and size of the shreds. It, on its own, was delicious. Crispy edges give way to a moist interior with a pleasant potato taste. The filling was satisfying without being heavy, and a perfect choice for spring with the inclusion of leeks. I added about a half times more than what is called for (2 medium leeks) (because I am wild about leeks), and I also chose shiitake mushrooms; a truly great combination.
For the sweet pie test, I couldn't resist the Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie. I tend to embrace oddball combinations of ingredients, so surely she had me in mind when she created this. It's a keeper. People will love this one, definitely recognize the bourbon (though it does not overwhelm), but will puzzle over why this version is better than theirs. You can tell them...or not.
I like a cookbook that I can sit down and read. This book is both readable and informative, with delicious sounding recipes, and a bit of travel info to boot. Before planning my next trip, I'm going to consult Teeny's Tour of Pies.
Here are the bakeries that she visited, in order:
High 5 Pie, Seattle, WA
Emma's Organics, Ithica, NY
Petsi Pies, Somerville, MA
Sweet Sensations Pastry, Chicago, IL
Pie Lab, Greensboro, AL
Bob Roth's New River Groves, Davie, FL
Pie Shop, Atlanta, GA
I Heart Pies, Los Angeles, CA
April 22, 2014
This wonderful cookbook is a must for anyone interested in pie baking. Whether you are a beginning cook or an experienced baker there is something for you in this gem of a cookbook. I enjoy baking but I am the first to admit to buying pre-made refrigerated pie dough because I just didn't want the bother and/or disappointment of making a pie crust from scratch. I have tried a few different crust recipes and the results only varied for bad to fair. However, following the easy step by step instructions Lamothe provides helped me to create a crust that was easy and delicious. The fact that Teeny substitutes vodka for water is a genius move that I never would have conceived of myself. There's not just the traditional crust recipe though, there are recipes for a pretzel crust, a sugar cookie crust, a gluten free crust, as well as many others that will tempt you to think outside the box. There are several variations on the whipped cream toppings that will leave you wanting to make a pie a day.
There is a pie filling for any and every desire from sweet to savory. If you can't find several pies to try in this wonderful cookbook then there just isn't a pie for you! The photography is drool worthy and the interesting combinations make so many of these recipes temptingly unique. This cookbook will take you through the seasons with appetizing recipes that are easy to follow and worth the preparation of a homemade pie.
I received a copy from Workman's Publishing/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
You can find more from me at The Blissful Plate
http://theblissfulplate.blogspot.com/
There is a pie filling for any and every desire from sweet to savory. If you can't find several pies to try in this wonderful cookbook then there just isn't a pie for you! The photography is drool worthy and the interesting combinations make so many of these recipes temptingly unique. This cookbook will take you through the seasons with appetizing recipes that are easy to follow and worth the preparation of a homemade pie.
I received a copy from Workman's Publishing/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
You can find more from me at The Blissful Plate
http://theblissfulplate.blogspot.com/
January 15, 2014
Making a Dream Come True
Teeny’s Tour of Pie is much more than a cookbook. Yes, it contains fantastic, easy to follow pie recipes. Yes, there are beautiful pictures of most of the pies but that isn’t where this book ends. The journey that Teeny takes us on is simply amazing. For one year she traveled the country and apprenticed at pie shops. The characters she met come alive in the retelling of her story. The love of pie shines through this book. It is easy to read and will be exciting for both the novice pie baker to the professional pastry chef. The tour speaks volumes of the brave souls who shared their dreams of owning and opening a pie shop. So, grab a piece of pie and cuppa tea and enjoy this book! NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Teeny’s Tour of Pie is much more than a cookbook. Yes, it contains fantastic, easy to follow pie recipes. Yes, there are beautiful pictures of most of the pies but that isn’t where this book ends. The journey that Teeny takes us on is simply amazing. For one year she traveled the country and apprenticed at pie shops. The characters she met come alive in the retelling of her story. The love of pie shines through this book. It is easy to read and will be exciting for both the novice pie baker to the professional pastry chef. The tour speaks volumes of the brave souls who shared their dreams of owning and opening a pie shop. So, grab a piece of pie and cuppa tea and enjoy this book! NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
March 6, 2014
Early on in reading this book I decided that I really admire Teeny Lamothe because she was determined to make her dreams a reality and wasn't afraid to use an unorthodox method to do so. When she decided that she wanted to become a "lady pie baker" she sent emails out to those she admired and wanted to learn from, then spent an entire year apprenticing across the country to develop her craft. Boys and girls, that takes a lot of guts, how many of you could put your life on hold for a year in pursuit of a dream?
In flipping through the book I was met with page after page of helpful tips, from rolling, crimping, and baking to what to do "when good crusts go bad" and that was before I even got to the recipes. I'll readily admit that I'm not much of a pie baker, I only bake them for Pi day and the rare holiday we spend at home in Wisconsin, so I found many of these tips very helpful.
In flipping through the book I was met with page after page of helpful tips, from rolling, crimping, and baking to what to do "when good crusts go bad" and that was before I even got to the recipes. I'll readily admit that I'm not much of a pie baker, I only bake them for Pi day and the rare holiday we spend at home in Wisconsin, so I found many of these tips very helpful.
May 1, 2014
I am a confident home pie baker myself but I enjoy reading other people's go-to crust recipes for comparison and Lamothe's is a very nice one, producing a very flaky crust. For the beginning baker, this is pretty much the best book on pie I've seen. Her instructions are thorough (reminds you to stir the filling before popping it in the oven-something I forget 3 out of 5 times) and encapsulate both modern ideas and traditional methods of pie making. At a glance though, since Lamothe is quite chatty, the recipes seem long (5-6 pages long) but that is because she is truly guiding you through the process. I have only minor nitpicks with the book-most of the savory pies are meat based and some recipes relying on proprietary/store bought items-which do not detract from its value as an excellent reference.
March 22, 2014
I can't get over how pretty this book is. It's full of charming anecdotes, sensible pie advice, and mouth-watering pie photography. And, most importantly, exciting, creative pie recipes. There are some incredible unique recipes as well as Teeny's take on some classics. There are savory recipes in addition to the many sweet ones. Everything is organized by season so you know what is fresh and tastiest at the moment, and all of it is such a pretty book I can't stop looking at it and dreaming of pie.
March 28, 2014
First I should mention, I won this through a Goodreads giveaway. Second, I LOVE pie. It's without a doubt one of my favorite snacks. I got this in the mail yesterday and I already tried making the strawberry rhubarb pie. It turned out absolutely delicious. They're so many recipes to try and each one looks amazing. This book gives you lots of ideas and shows you many techniques of pie making. Most of the recipes seem pretty easy to make without having to buy a lot of exotic ingredients. So far I love this book, I love pie, and I definitely can't wait to try another one. Yummy!!!
April 5, 2014
I enjoyed reading this cookbook which told of Teeny Lamothe's year-long pilgrimage of apprenticing in pie bakeries across the country. Teeny's dream of having a pie business of her own was what encouraged her to set out on this adventure of perfecting her pie baking skills and learning the ins and outs of operating a small business. The book reads like a travelogue/diary with lots of yummy recipes and photos included.
June 25, 2014
This is an amazing book - it is about a dream believed in and pursued. The book is a work of art: mastering the art of pie in 67 recipes is organized by season, and the storytelling both narrative and by pictures is well crafted. By the end, I felt proud of Teeny, courageous enough to try my hand at Teeny pies, and overall inspired by Teeny wanting to slow down and enjoy something (anything) the way she clearly gives herself to pie making. This book is a joy!
March 24, 2014
Love, Love, Love this book! Who knew the secret to a flaky crust was vodka? Whole chapter on crust. No more store bought crust for this girl. What a wonderful selection of recipes. My family is gonna have a different pie every Sunday for over a year!!!! Won this from Goodreads and now I am truly hooked!
August 22, 2014
this book is a fun guide to making small, personal pies. The layout is easy and friendly and the writing makes you want to dive in and make something. It's arranged seasonally, so you can find local produce you can put in a fresh pie. I admit, I don't care for pie, but I really like this cookbook and would love to take a crack at one of the recipes.
May 26, 2015
Okay I'm a pie novice and this is the first cookbook on pies I've read. So I can't comment on the finer points of the recipes. The books is laid out seasonally, from fall to summer. She does include several varieties of crusts, including an all-lard crust recipe and a gluten-free crust recipe. And my first attempt turned out quite well! So yay!
It really is as easy as pie.
It really is as easy as pie.
March 7, 2014
I was so busy making different pies & pie crusts that I forgot to update this! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! It taught me a lot of what I was doing wrong and right in making different crusts. This is now my go to crust/pie making bible! Thank you so much!!!!
January 21, 2014
Wonderful recipes by a genuinely wonderful person. This is a must buy for anyone who loves to bake! Her whole wheat crust will blow your mind!
June 12, 2014
She made her life an adventure, she followed her heart. I need to get some vodka for my next pie.
August 23, 2014
A good basic pie cookbook.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews