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.
Synopsis:
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 pies: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, Lemony Blueberry Crumb Pie, Rosemary-Infused Caramel Apple Pie. Cream pies: 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.
Teeny’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.
