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Mincemeat is a survival from the Middle Ages, when spices were used lavishly and there was less of a line between sweet and savory dishes. Traditionally, the basis of mincemeat was, as the name suggests, minced meat. Modern recipes usually substitute beef suet, or leave it out entirely. The ingredients vary widely but generally consist of apples, several kinds of raisins, candied or fresh citrus peel, sugar and spices. In most cases the mixture is slow-cooked, then finished with rum or brandy as a preservative.
Using the right tools when baking and making pastry can not only make the job easier but also give you professional-looking results. Keep a variety of sizes of mixing bowls, since many recipes require mixing the wet ingredients, such as milk and vanilla, and dry ingredients, such as flour and baking soda, separately. Invest in a good set of baking pans. Find ones that are sturdy and a light color metal; dark metal pans, even when nonstick, can cause baked goods to burn.
Whether you made several pie shells and want to store them, or have an abundance of the store-bought variety, keep them in the freezer. Pre-baked pie shells keep for several months in the freezer if properly wrapped. Simply putting a pie shell in the freezer with little or no protection causes the shell to become freezer burnt. In addition, the wrapping also keeps the pie shell from cracking, something that happens often.
Using little pie plates to bake pie as opposed to using the regular-sized pie plates opens up a multitude of new opportunities. These miniature pies can be given as gifts, sold in bake sales, or just simply enjoyed by you and your family. The smaller size makes these pies much more versatile, even though they can be prepared in the same simple way.
Brown paper packages tied up with string aren't just for presents; they can also be a delicious addition to your baking repertoire. Baking food in a brown paper bag helps trap heat and moisture that may otherwise escape. The resulting dishes are more tender and flavorful than their bag-less counterparts, and there is no additional cost to obtaining the necessary tools. It's an economical, eco-friendly, easy way to improve your meals and baked goods. That is a sweet gift, indeed.
Fruitcake made with mincemeat is considered traditional English cuisine, served on Christmas Eve to represent the Christian beliefs of the birth of Christ and the gifts of the Magi.
Freezing pie shells allows you to use them later. You can freeze pie shells baked or unbaked to preserve them. Although you can freeze already made pies, the crust will lose its texture and can become soggy. Unbaked pie shells will last in the freezer for two months, and baked pie shells will last up to four months in the freezer. The pie crusts will need thawed differently in order to preserve the texture and taste of the shells.
When you make a pie with a meringue topping, recipes often tell you to bake the pie part first, then add the meringue for the final part of baking. Meringue is, at its most basic, sweetened egg whites that are whipped to stiff peaks and lightly spooned over the top of a pie, then baked. When baked, the meringue stays floaty and chewy on the inside, but gets slightly crispy and light golden brown on the outside. Since it is uncooked when you add it to the pie, the process is relatively uncomplicated.
If you’ve never sampled a paper bag pie, you may be missing a little-known big taste in dessert fare. Many experienced cooks agree that sliding a prepared pie into a large, brown grocery bag is the key to a pie taste that will set it apart from all the rest. Perhaps the confined cooking area inside the bag makes the difference, allowing the pie filling to bake to perfection while the pie crust stays crispy. Apple pie is a common pie choice for paper bag baking.
To bake a pie, you'll need a ready-to-bake pie, an oven and some oven mittens. Learn how to properly bake a pie with help from a pastry chef in this free video on pies.
Traditional pie pans are the norm when it comes to making and serving pies, but they do have their drawbacks. Not only can they heat unevenly, resulting in a pie crust that is firmer in some places than others and vice versa, but they also need to be manipulated in order to produce a perfect, flaky crust. Perforated pie pans have special vents in the bottom that allow air to circulate during baking, resulting in a consistently flaky, evenly baked pie. Using a perforated pie pan is not difficult or much different from using a traditional pie pan.
Many cooks prefer ceramic pie plates for baking pies due to the beauty of these plates. Ceramic pie plates come in a variety of colors, many with fluted edges that add a decorative flair to any pie. Pies baked in ceramic pie plates generally brown evenly and beautifully in the oven. It may be necessary to add a few minutes to the baking time when you use a ceramic pie plate.
When making a pie crust or pastry, carefully follow the recipe, but remember that results may vary. Protein content in flour, humidity in the air and elevation levels can affect the end result. You can take a few steps, however, to prevent problems.
Pies are a favorite dessert everywhere. You can make a delicious homemade pie from home with a few tips and tricks. For some, the pie crust is the hardest to accomplish. For others, it's the cream filling. One you realize you can bake a pie, your family will be begging for more.
Almost everyone loves the smell, look, and taste of freshly baked pie. But as pleasant as pie can be, making this delicate pastry can often seem like more work than it's worth. This causes some to give up entirely, and resort to store-bought desserts that don't have half the flavor. One of the major pitfalls in making pie is knowing exactly how long the pie needs to bake for, and how to tell when it's done. While this might seem like a deep mystery, a few simple guidelines take almost all the guesswork out of making scrumptious pies.
Mincemeat pie, also known as mince pie, is a traditional Christmas dessert in England. In certain parts of the United States, the pie is enjoyed at Thanksgiving dinner as well as Christmastime. Learn about the history of this treat, as well as easy ways to make mincemeat to serve at home or give as a gift.
When you make a pumpkin pie, your first step does not need to be reaching for a can opener. Canned pumpkin is quick and convenient, but making pumpkin pies, breads and cakes with freshly roasted pumpkin tastes so much better. Preparing a pie pumpkin for cooking isn't difficult-it just takes time. Here's how to do it.
Mangoes are a sweet fruit that also have a lot of health benefits. They are low in calories and fat, contain both Vitamin A and C and are high in fiber. If you are already a fan of mangoes or are looking for a unique dessert, then you will want to read this article. With a few ingredients you can make a tasty no-bake mango pie.
