Southern Pies

November 15, 2010
The subtitle says it all. McDermott presents dozens of delicious recipes for pie-loving home bakers in this follow-up to Southern Cakes. With a light hand, McDermott brings in just enough history and context to help bakers appreciate her recipes without fattening her book with too much text. Leigh Beisch's photography adds to the appeal, though some shots of ingredients should have made way for more pictures of actual pies. McDermott splits her plenty in two—chess (Buttermilk, Sweet Potato, Old-School Custard Pies, and others) and chocolate, and includes a helpful lesson on making crusts (or buying them, if need be). McDermott has an obvious affection for the Southern men and women (and their cookbooks) that inspired her recipes, but the proof of the pudding is in the pies themselves. If Peaches and Cream, Hungry Mother Spicy Peanut, Black Bottom, or Muscadine Grape Hull don't whet the appetite, keep reading. With over 60 pies included, even the most finicky pie-eater will find a fare share of "must-bake" recipes. Photos.