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Pies Pies Pies

Good Housekeeping produce some of the best real cooking books around. What exactly do I mean by real cooking books? Well, these are books that are both informative and accurate. It might come as a shocking revelation that some cookbooks have recipes that just don’t work. If you are an experienced cook some of these author blunders can be rectified but a novice can be alarmed.

Pies Pies Pies is another example of a book containing triple-tested recipes that are reliable. There are over 100 of them and many with step-by-step photographs. There is a good chapter of basic pastry recipes but also instruction on fruit preparation for tarts and on using chocolate. Then it’s on to the recipes both savoury and sweet, traditional and contemporary.

Anything with pastry has my name on it, so I am the worst reviewer to be limited to just a few recipes to consider. Wild Mushroom Pithiviers are a savoury version of the more common sweet Pithivier with an almond filling. This mushroom version works well with its creamy and rich centre. You could easily make one large pie instead of these small ones.

Game and Herb Pies are made in small brioche tins which make for a striking presentation. If you don’t have those then use muffin or Yorkshire pudding tins. The filling is decadent and delicious and this is a great recipe for stretching game to feed a crowd. This might be my choice for a New Year’s dinner.

Dessert is what many think of when the word Pie is mentioned. Plum and Cardamom Pie is a take on the classic Plum Tart. This is an easy freeform or rustic pie made directly on the baking sheet rather than in a pie dish. The cardamom gives an interesting and exotic flavour.

Banana and Chocolate Ice Cream Pie has a no-cook biscuit base and a topping of sliced mini Mars Bars - this is a good dessert to prepare in advance. But my favourite sweet pie from this book is undoubtedly Pinenut and Honey Tart. This will remind you of holidays in Greece and would be ideal served in the afternoon with a bowl of chilled Greek yoghurt alongside.

Pies Pies Pies is as good as all other Good Housekeeping books, and exceptional value for money at only £5.99.

Cookbook Review: Pies Pies Pies
Author: Good Housekeeping
Published by: Collins and Brown - Anova
Price: £5.99
ISBN 978-1-84340-442-2