Pie

A baked dish with a pastry crust and various fillings

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Pi Pie

A pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that contains a filling of various sweet or savory ingredients. Pies are defined by their crusts. A filled pie, also known as a single-crust or bottom-crust pie, has pastry lining the baking dish, and the filling is placed on top of the pastry but left open. A top-crust pie, which may also be called a "pot pie", has the filling in the bottom of the dish and is covered with a pastry or other covering before baking. A two-crust pie has the filling completely enclosed in the pastry shell.

Types of Pies

Pies can be broadly categorized into sweet and savory pies.

Sweet Pies

Sweet pies are often served as dessert. Common sweet pies include:

• Apple pie
• Cherry pie
• Pumpkin pie
• Pecan pie

A slice of pecan pie

Sweet pies may have a variety of crusts, including lattice-style, crumb, or solid top crusts. They are often served with ice cream or whipped cream.

Savory Pies

Savory pies are often served as main courses or side dishes. Common savory pies include:

• Chicken pie
• Steak and kidney pie
• Shepherd's pie

A chicken pie

Savory pies often contain meat, vegetables, and gravy, and are typically served hot.

Regional Variations

Pies vary greatly across different cultures and regions.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, pies are a staple of traditional British cuisine. Popular varieties include the Cornish pasty, a type of turnover filled with meat and vegetables.

A traditional Cornish pasty filled with steak and vegetables

United States

In the United States, pies are a popular dessert, especially during holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. The apple pie is often considered a symbol of American culture.

France

In France, pies are often referred to as "tartes" and can be sweet or savory. The quiche is a popular savory pie made with eggs and cheese.

Pie Crusts

Pie crusts can be made from a variety of ingredients, including flour, butter, and shortening. The texture and flavor of the crust can vary depending on the ingredients and method used.

Lattice Crust

A lattice crust is a decorative top crust made by weaving strips of dough over the pie filling.

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Raisin pie with a lattice-style crust

Puff Pastry

Puff pastry is a light, flaky pastry made by layering dough and butter. It is often used for pies that require a delicate crust.

Pear-shaped pear pie with puff pastry

Pie Birds

A pie bird is a small ceramic or metal device used to vent steam from a pie while it is baking. It helps to prevent the pie filling from boiling over and the crust from becoming soggy.

A chicken pie with a traditional pie bird

Related Pages

• Tart
• Quiche
• Pastry
• Dessert