Teeny's Tour of Pie

April 7, 2014
In what she calls her year-long “Tour of Pie,” Lamothe, a blogger and now wholesale pie shop owner, contacted 30 bakeries with the hope of working as an unpaid apprentice and learning the pie trade—taking herself from home baker to professional. While she didn’t get a “yes” from everyone, she did pack up and get her hands dusty with flour at some of her chosen bakeries. The 67 recipes presented reflect her pie education. Ranging from staples such as a Gluten-Free Crust to decadent selections including Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie, as well as elegant, dinner-party-worthy desserts like Earl Grey Cream Pie in a Sugar Cookie Crust, and savories such as Pickled Beet and Goat Cheese Tart with Candied Walnuts, Lamothe takes readers on their own pie tour. Features on shops and purveyors, Lady Bakership Lessons, and a helpful 5 Commandments of Crust spread make this a fun title to not only bake from, but to read.

April 15, 2014
Lamothe is the founder of Teeny Pies, a wholesale pie-baking business based in Washington, DC. Before becoming a business owner, Lamothe undertook a year-long "tour of pie," apprenticing herself to female bakers across the country. Here the author shares knowledge gleaned from the journey, such as how to choose pie tins, master a perfect crust, and adapt full-size recipes into five-inch "teeny" pies. Lamothe includes instructions for several crusts, including whole-wheat and gluten-free, and 60-plus creations ranging from traditional (lemon meringue) to contemporary (bourbon bacon pecan) desserts. VERDICT Pie cookbooks are plentiful, but Lamothe's cheery prose, sound advice, and uncommon recipes make hers worth acquiring.

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