Around the world in 20 pies

The world is comforted by pie. Now it's your turn.

Blackberry pie Source: Feast magazine

--- The Cook Up with Adam Liaw airs weeknights on SBS Food at 7.00pm and 10.00pm, or stream it free on SBS On Demand. Catch the savoury pie episode on Thursday 5 August. ---

 

Right now, in every corner of the globe, someone is making a pie. It will be sweet, it will be savoury, it will be served warm or served cold. Some will have a pastry top, others proudly reveal their filling. Many pies are stuffed to the brim with ingredients, others prefer a solo star.

One thing is certain, though. Regardless of where it is baking or by whom, that pie is being made with love. It might be love packed in for a big, noisy family celebration, or it might be wrapping up some quiet comfort for a friend in need. Either way, pie brings with it a nostalgic sense of peace and safety. The perfect antidote for when life gets a little bit muddled.

One thing is certain, though. Regardless of where it is baking or by whom, that pie is being made with love.

"If the chips are really down, I would probably bake a sweet pie – rhubarb, apple and balsamic vinegar is one I go for a lot," says Julia Busuttil Nishimura, best-selling author of A Year of Simple Family Food and baker of many, many pies. "Or in summer, a peach pie really lifts the spirits."

Cooks across the centuries have agreed with Busuttil Nishimura. Every culture has it's own pie story to tell. Here's a tiny taste of what's being popped into ovens the world over.

May your pie journey bring you much comfort and joy.

America

This version adds a layer of dark chocolate to the butter crust, making it impossible to resist. Source: Brett Stevens

Pecan pie is a true American creation that originated in the state of Texas. It's popularity started when a recipe was printed on the side of a syrup bottle, but endures because pecan pie is basically perfect.

Argentina

Pastel de papa is always made with beef and often hardboiled eggs or olives are added. Source: Rachel Tolosa Paz

This Argentinian-style shepherd’s pie contains a corn filling, a beef filling, and a slightly sweet pastry spiked with currants, pine nuts and cinnamon. You've gotta love a layered pie.

Australia

The addition of allspice, shiitake mushrooms, ginger and oyster sauce give these good old Aussie pies a subtle, but truly delicious, Chinese twist. Source: Alan Benson

Where would we be without the humble meat pie? Definitely less happy at the footy, that's for sure. Some might be horrified that our multi-cuisine nation seems to have settled on a meat pie as its national dish, but surely that depends on what you put inside it...

Bosnia

These filo pies are simplicity personified – and that is what makes them so good! Source: Alan Benson

Fancy a potato pie with snail-like tendencies? Coiling the pastry this way ups the filo-to-filling ratio in a most pleasing way.

Britain

The whole eggs are hidden beneath the crust – if you get one when you cut into it, it’s like winning a prize. Source: Paul Hollywood's Pies and Puds

Egg and bacon were bound to find their way into a pie fairly quickly in their relationship. Naturally, it was the Brits who put them there.

China

Delicious xian bing pies are often pan-fried and can resemble a filled pancake. Source: Chris Chen

This traditional Chinese meat pie has a crispy dough outer and a savoury filling. The filling varies across the country, but generally will contain some kind of spiced meat and often noodles.

Croatia

If this doesn't bring comfort, nothing will. Source: Feast magazine

Pita od kupina is a popular dessert with a buttery crust, crumbly top and meringue-like blackberry filling. This is pie heaven.

Finland

Made since the Middle Ages, kalakukko's fish and dill filling is baked inside a thick rye bread crust. Source: Alan Benson

Naturally Finland's kalakukko features salmon and dill. The Finns favourite ingredients work a treat in a pastry shell - a reminder of just how good the perennial favourite fish pie can be.

France

Raymond Blanc's onion tart comes with no less than 12 recipe notes as the great man steps you through getting it right. Source: Raymond Blanc

There may be arguments about whether an onion tart is a pie, but let's not quarrel. Squabbles just take away from eating time.

Greece

This Australian spin on the classic Greek filo pie swaps spinach for native greens. Source: Adam Liaw

The Greeks do a number of very good pies (see below), but spanakopita is the most famous. The dish is one of the classics of Greek cuisine, however, you might want to mention to yiayia that Aussie warrigal greens and saltbush make it even better.

Ireland

These hand-sized pies are a 'grab and go' favourite in the city of Dingle. Source: Donal's Kitchen Hero

County Kerry in Ireland has it's own version of an essential pie. Dingle pie is a hearty meshing of a hot water pastry crust and flavoursome lamb and veggie filling. Serve it with a generous stout and you probably won't need to eat again for a week.

Italy

Could this be the ultimate picnic pie? Source: China Squirrel

Pizza rustica is filled with every good Italian 'p' thing you could ever dream of. Parmesan, pecorino, parsley, Proscuitto. Fair enough, there's no pasta, Peugeot or piazza stuffed in there, but close!

Mexico

Little wonder these pies are one of South America's favourite street foods. Source: Alan Benson

It wouldn't be a pie list without empanadas. Across South America, they're the ultimate hand pies with loads of added spice.

Morocco

Shane Delia recommends lining the mould with filo pastry in a rose formation. "It not only seals in the filling really well, it looks pretty too,” he says. Source: Shane Delia's Moorish Spice Journey

B'stilla is traditionally made with shredded pigeon and sprinkled with chopped toasted almonds and icing sugar. This is a vegetarian version of the original, made like a sweet dessert but very savoury in nature.

The Netherlands

This particular version of Dutch appeltaart contains a secret ingredient for extra oomph. Source: Mark Roper

The aforementioned appeltaart is bold with nutmeg and cinnamon. The sweet, buttery shortcrust is also filled with apples, currants and sultanas for maximum deliciousness.

Norway

Plenty of ground cardamom gives eplepai a distinctively Norwegian flavour. Source: Alan Benson

Norway's traditional eplepai can warm the soul with one mouthful. It's often served for dessert hot from the oven with lashings of vanilla ice cream melting pleasantly on top.

Scotland

Any Scot will tell you that a bridie pie beats a Cornish pastie in any food fight. Source: Alan Benson

The Scottish Forfar bridie is thought to be named for a mid-19th century food seller, Margaret Bridie, who travelled throughout Forfarshire (now known as the county of Angus). The history of the Forfar showcases both the portability and popularity of the endearing pie.

South Africa

Proof that the definition of 'pie' changes the world over, but always results in something comforting to share. Source: Danielle Abou Karam

The national dish of South Africa brings together all the flavours of a nation into one golden pie. Curried meat and fruit are topped with a golden egg finish. The layers are similar to moussaka, but the flavour is all South Africa's own.

Spain

This meat pie comes in various guises across Spain, but almost always includes hard-boiled eggs to symbolise the resurrection of Christ. Source: Feast magazine

This Easter favourite from Spain is all about the eggs and chorizo. The crust is surprisingly sweet in a savoury pie, but this works well to balance the spicy sausage.

Ukraine

Pie is very popular in Ukraine with many different pirogi on offer across the country. Source: Alan Benson

Pirog is the Ukranian take on a sweet cheese pie. Based on lemon-scented bread dough, it is filled with a delicate fresh cheese and crème fraîche filling studded with raisins.

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