Pies, pies, and pies. Let us tell you everything you need to know about this delicious treat!
What is a pie?
A pie is a baked pastry dish filled with either meat, fruits, and vegetables.
History of Pies
The Ancient Egyptians were the first people to invent a dish close enough to what a pie is! They made a crusty cake from wheat, oats, rye, or barley, filled with honey on the inside. Moreover, a tablet dating back from 2000 BCE was found to have engravings of a chicken pie recipe.
Around the 5th century BCE, it was believed that ancient Greeks were the ones who invented pie pastry due to its mention in Aristophanes' play. Working separately from a baker as a pastry chef during that era was also possible which reinstates the belief that pie pastries have already existed.
Later, the Romans made more complex versions of pies. The pie pastry they made consists of water, flour, and oil with meat as a filling inside. However, the pastry itself was only intended to preserve the flavor and juices of the meat and was not meant to be eaten. Furthermore, a Roman cookbook dating back to the 1st century was found, with the title Apicius. Apicius contains recipes of dishes created in Imperial Rome, including pie recipes. One of them even looks similar to a cheesecake.
Types of Pies
These are 4 types of pies depending on their fillings:
1. Savory Pie
Filling = Meat, poultry, seafood, or vegetables in a thick sauce
Examples = Beef pot pie, chicken pie
2. Custard Pie
Filling = Creamy filling made from a mixture of eggs, milk, and sugar with an additional topping
Examples = Egg custard pie, pumpkin custard pie
3. Cream Pie
Filling = Rich pudding or custard made of cream, milk, eggs, flour, or sugar.
Topping = Whipped cream
Examples = Chocolate cream pie, coconut cream pie
4. Fruit Pie
Filling = Fruits (may be mixed with spices)
Examples = Apple pie, berry pie
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