While the fall holiday, around Thanksgiving, season tends to be the time of the year that we bake the most pies, there really is no time that is a bad time for a freshly baked pie. Pies are a food that is so easily customized with seasonal fruits (and vegetables) and other ingredients that they can not only be enjoyed year-round, but they can perfectly fit into each and every season. First Prize Pies: Shoo-Fly, Candy Apple, and Other Deliciously Inventive Pies for Every Week of the Year is an ode to pies, packed with recipes that are perfect for any pie-worthy occasion.
The book is authored by a prize-winning pie baker (turned pro-baker) and you can get a sense of her passion for pies as you read through the book. It’s fun and modern – not the kind of book that makes pie making feel like a chore. This is a great approach because many people are intimidated by the idea of working with pie crusts, and the easy approach that this book takes makes all elements of pie-making seem very accessible. She breaks down the recipes into clear, easy steps and peppers the book with tips that will ensure your recipes turn out every time. It’s very easy to follow along with, even for new pie-bakers, and experienced pie makers looking for new recipes and ideas won’t get bored. The book begins with a look at the basic ingredients and equipment you need to get started, then gives you a set of crusts-making techniques and recipes that serve as the base for the rest of the recipes. The pie recipes themselves and divided into seasons, so you can find a filling that suits the time of year and your taste buds.
The book is well-illustrated with photos of the finished pies and of various pie making techniques. The handful of more personal photos that pepper the pages give the book some flair, too. The photos really are very tempting, and they will get your mouth watering even before you have a chance to read the names of pies like Bourbon Ginger Pecan Pie, Watermelon Cream Pie or Nutella Pie.
What do you think?