Pie Every Day: Recipes and Slices of Life

by Pat Willard

PIE EVERY DAY will convince even beginning cooks that, with very little fuss or trouble, delicious, filling, nutritious pies can indeed be offered up at the family table every day. Includes a comprehensive chapter on crust-making. "Witty . . . beautiful, as sweet as you know what, I ate it up."--The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB, GOOD COOK CLUB, AND CONTRY HOMES AND GARDENS selection.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Nonfiction, Cooking, Memoir

Hardcover

First published January 4, 1997

Reviews

[Shane Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love pies, and I love this book.

Did you know that pies used to be a more common dish than they are today? Much of the craft of piemaking is obscure these day, but this book packages it up and presents it in a very readable way.

I greatly enjoyed the author's personal anecdotes, which peppered the recipes with short stories and enthusiastic descriptions of the reception the pies recieve from her friends and family. In the first couple pages the reader is presented with the equation which occured to her and made her a pie enthusiast:

My husband loves pies + I learn to make pies = We will be forever one

I especially loved the book's notes on the history of pies and regional variations of different recipes. The author doesn't just include recipes, she lays out why certain crusts and ingredients were originally used, and what specific situations call for each variation today.

[Shamim Reza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pie Every Day is a charming cookbook that captures everything wonderful about homemade pie. I really enjoyed the combination of recipes and personal stories, which gives the collection a warm, inviting character. The variety of pies makes it easy to find something for different seasons, occasions, and cravings, from comforting fruit-filled favorites to richer desserts and creative combinations. The recipes encourage you to enjoy the process of baking rather than treating it as a chore, and I especially appreciated the emphasis on homemade pastry and thoughtful ingredients. There is something very satisfying about preparing a pie from scratch, and this cookbook makes that experience feel approachable and rewarding. I also love the idea of enjoying pie beyond special holidays; the collection provides plenty of inspiration for everyday baking, family gatherings, celebrations, or a quiet dessert at home. The stories add an extra layer of personality and make the book enjoyable even when you are simply browsing for inspiration. Overall, Pie Every Day is a delightful addition to any baker’s collection and a wonderful choice for anyone who loves pastry, seasonal flavors, and sharing homemade food. Five stars for its warmth, variety, creativity, and celebration of one of the most comforting desserts.

[JoAnn Steinly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this cookbook since I was a young mother finding my way in the kitchen. We've been renovating our home after years of sharing my house as a Family Childcare Home.

I love this book now just as much as I did when I first read it. It's full of stories of a woman's life. Traveling for work, meeting people, and learning how to cope with the joys of motherhood.

What impressed me about this book, then and now, are all the delightful stories that accompany the recipies. Some of these are family stories, but the history of pie-making in this country really had me hooked. I still tell people to this day that pies are the original "fast food", made for farmers to grab in dark-thirty in the morning as they head out for their chores. "Real" breakfast was later in the morning.
Another wonderful aspect of the book is her chapter on crusts. Not only are there myriad recipies for varies types of crusts, but she assures us all that crust aren't really that difficult to make. Well, not if you just keep trying and follow a few simple rules.

If you love cookbooks with stories, it's a must for you TBR list.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great recipes

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent, clear directions for making a variety of pies. Personal stories make it even more interesting.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Willard does an excellent job presenting both savory and sweet pies in this wonderful cookbook. While the book by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill does not include any photographs, please do not judge this cookbook by that. Pat Willard's recipes are wonderful and several have become our family's holiday favorites. This is absolutely one of my favorite cookbooks! Try it-you won't be disappointed!

[Lula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great recipes for a variety of pie shells and fillings, as well as why some are better than others for different purposes. It is also fun to read, as the anecdotes in this book are like sweet little slices of pie themselves.

[AngelaGay Kinkead · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to a great pie and Americana road trip book. This wasn't it.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love pie. And pie loves me. Nuff said.