Art of the Pie: A Practical Guide to Homemade Crusts, Fillings, and Life

I have had the fortune of attending Kate's Pie Camp. It was the most wonderful time and making new "pie sisters" was the most fun! We talked about everything PIE, she showed us how to make that fabulous crust, answered every question with a smile, and then helped each and everyone of us with the patience of Job. Anyone who has attended her camps in the past were waiting patiently for her to publish her first book, as we talked a lot about it at camp. When my personally signed copy came in the mail, the rest of my world ceased to exist. All of her wisdom and advise like--keep everything cool-especially yourself, is resonated through the entire book. And don't forget the "sizzle-wump". These are very technical pie making terms! The photography is beyond anything I could have ever imagined and there are so many recipes that I'm anxious to try. Pies don't have to be picture perfect, they need to taste good! Kate takes you on a journey in this book, and she describes each step as if she were standing next to you! Pie used to be intimidating to me--my aunts and grandmother made pie, not me. But anyone that has never rolled out a crust or piled sugary apples a mile high, could take this book and make a fabulous pie start to finish.. If you ever have the opportunity to attend a class with her, don't pass it up, you will be glad you did! I have included a picture of a pot pie that I make recently with the leaf lard/Irish Butter crust---so flaky and delish!!

This book is the quintessential guide to making pie dough with delicious recipes included. The instructions are easy to follow and really get into the differences between butter, lard and combinations of both. It’s a wonderful way to get started in the wonderful world of homemade pies!

I already have a great dough recipe that I use - so I will be looking at this book in the future for dough options. I did try some of the berry pie fillings in the book, and they came out delicious! I did make some raspberry jam hand pies from the book with the left over dough - and they were the most buttery fresh "pop tarts" you will ever have. I put away two deep dish blackberry pies in the freezer for future baking. The ones I baked barely lasted 3 days for a while. Now that I just picked apples from my fruit trees, I am planning on trying one of the double crust apple pie recipes in the book. After that, my plums should be ripening. I am so happy with this book - the recipes are great, instructions are clear, and photos show some delectable pies. It is a very good book for someone serious about pie - sweet and savory!

Too many pie books are laborious slogs through technical practices with a mandatory list of do's and don'ts that leave the would be baker quivering with apprehension whenever they get near the supermarket bakery aisle. Those books drain the life out of what should be a pleasurable culinary experience; making beautifully browned, glossy crusted fat pies that follow the seasons and bring joy and happiness to anyone within aroma range. This book is not one of those downers, rather it's a leisurely meander through traditional pie making by a unassuming master baker who reassures novice and veteran alike that if crazy aunt Tilly who never had a food processor, couldn't accurately measure flour or water, and tended to forget how many ounces of fat she dropped into the mixing bowl; that if she could turn out those beautiful lattice top fresh fruit pies every fall, then there's absolutely no reason why you can't do the same. The book is filled with simple demonstrations presented as if you were siting in her cottage kitchen while the author explained what she was doing in the most straight forward way. While the included recipes initially appear to be standards of traditional american pie making, she tosses in some british favorites as well, including a spectacular pork pie fully encased in authentic english hot water pastry. The recipes are heavily weighted toward the sweet, but there's enough savory to keep you busy through most of the winter months with supper pies. And, as in the beginning pastry chapters, each recipe is explained in a simple conversational manner that doesn't induce panic even if the pie god's don't feel like cooperating. Finally, the photography by Andrew Scrivani hits the sweet spot between realism and aspirational excess; which simply means the pics make your mouth water. Some reviewers and editorial writers have read into the book's construct a perceived philosophy about how pie making is a metaphor for life. Perhaps Kate McDermott intended that to be the case, but I doubt it. I think she's simply a talented writer who has the gift of presenting her subject in a manner that marries a little about her, along with the practicality and satisfaction of seasonal baking. Martha Stewart she's not, but if she was your next door neighbor I suspect you'd like her a lot better. Do yourself a favor, buy this book before you get distracted; you won't regret it.

Bought the book for my daughter who loves baking and she loved it. Wonderful recipe book with very good tips and ideas.

I read this book through my library as an ebook loan. It was a little hard to read because of the pictures that didn't appear really well on my phone. I bet it would show better on a tablet. However, I really enjoyed the content that the author provided. You didn't just get a bunch of recipes. You got the author's experiences and why she's so close to pie. I love that she sees making pies as showing her love for others. I used the basic butter recipe to make homemade pie crusts for a chicken pot pie and it was a huge success. The information she gives for making pies is easy to consume and extremely helpful. It was the first time I had confidence in making pie crusts. Plus, she's perfected the gluten-free pie crust, and considering her experience with pie crusts, I don't doubt it (though I haven't tried the recipe myself). When I was considering Christmas presents this year, I decided to order the book for my mother-in-law, who also makes pies (and other goodies) as a way to show her love to family, friends, and neighbors. She has a wheat allergy, so I thought she might like to try the gluten-free crust. When the book arrived, I took a look and the pictures are beautiful in the hardcopy. I can see why some might complain that it's a little big to just sit back and read (we read it for a book club), but if you're cooking, you will have no problem opening it up and having it sit open on your counter top. Really gorgeous book.

I bought this book as soon as it came out. I was so excited to receive it and it did not disappoint. Reading this book is similar to reading Kate McDermott's blog page. You feel that you are having coffee with a warm and mighty talented friend. In addition to being beautifully photographed, the recipes are delicious, reliable and manageable for all. Kate has gluten free recipes and provides lots of practical tips, including where to purchase leaf lard (lots of it in my freezer!). This is your Grandmother's cooking. I hope to have tried at least 15 more of Kate's recipes by the end of the year. If you already make pie, are afraid to make pie or want to make better pie, you need this book on your shelf. My hands down baking favorite.

David Mamet said, "We must have pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie." Kate McDermott takes the stress out of making a pie. Just open this book and you are swept into her world of pie making. The Art of the Pie is true art. There are pies for everyone and her in-depth knowledge shines through. Kate's warmth comes out in her writing and you begin to realize that making pies is an act of love for her as is teaching. If you are lucky - sign up for one of her virtual Pie Camps at Artofthepie.com. Both Kate's books - this and Pie Camp are must haves in my opinion. From these two books and her class, I know I am on my way to becoming a pie rock star. Thank you Kate McDermott!

Dopo diverse vicissitudini, finalmente metto gli occhi su questo libro, un delizioso capolavoro di arte pasticcera. Sono abituato a sfogliare buoni libri di pasticceria, e l'autrice è di quelli in grado di mettere a proprio agio il lettore e il cuoco (o la cuoca), curando il minimo dettaglio, dagli impasti base alle ricette di pie dolci (tradizionali e confortanti), fin alla parte salata che chiude il libro. Quando scrivo della cura dei particolari, penso ad ogni singolo particolare; nell'introduzione viene consigliato anche l'uso di una propria colonna sonora per migliorare il lavoro, cosa che mi trova assolutamente d'accordo (e mi piacciono anche i sui suoi gusti musicali...). La parte grafica è ottima, le foto mettono voglia di azzannare le pagine; il libro è indicato anche per i principianti e non bisogna farsi spaventare dalla lingua inglese, perché le misure di peso sono immediatamente tradotte in grammi. E' perfetto per un regalo. Per quel che riguarda il servizio Amazon, quest'ordine è stato per me un vero calvario: dal 23 maggio al 23 settembre sono passati esattamente 4 mesi, spesi con operatori, chiamate al servizio clienti e richieste di notizie o spiegazioni (il volume è sempre stato disponibile, mai esaurito). Sono caduto in un buco nero del servizio Amazon, ma ho tenuto duro. Da questo punto di vista, la mia esperienza peggiore col colosso dell'e-commerce mondiale.

Ha, well it is just pie. But wow what pie it is! My wife had found this book at the library, and really loved it. I noticed how much she was enjoying it, and promptly popped onto Amazon to buy it at a great price. A few days later she was making a pie, and looking for the book on the library's ebook section, when voila - it arrived in the mail at that moment! Needless to say she was impressed, and the pie was amazing. The knowledge in this book really will have a huge positive impact on the quality of one's pie making. It's worth getting this book for sure.

This is a wonderful book, inspirational in every way. The writing is an unexpected joy, evocative and moving. Perfect for those of us who really do read cookbooks as well as cook from them. But the recipes themselves will become an important part of your repertoire. Partly because Kate encourages you to think flexibly about what you are doing - which crust, which filling, how to combine them. And the instructions are clear and empowering. You can tell that I like this book! It is well worth a place on your shelf and may even change your life.

This is a must-have book for anyone interested in the topic. Many thanks to the author 🥧 The recipies are easy to follow. Information, tips and knowledge shared in the introduction give novice pie makers - like me - a good grounding for a fruitful future in pie making and importantly, pie sharing and pie eating! Enjoy!

Really-Really-Really great book on pies. Exceptional. I do wish it was longer and had more recipes. Because I am a greedy person when it comes to really good pies! :) Purchase it with no worry. Truly.