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What is a pie?

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McGoohan Dec 2017 8:26am, 4 Dec 2017 32,154 posts	Quote Pin McGoohan I blogged about the wonderful world of pies the other day, but the astute comments have dented my pie-belief. Wriggling Snake defined a pie as a food item with pastry above and below. That seems to me to be the ideal - the apex of pies. However, there are other things that call themselves pies which don't satisfy this. Then there are things with pastry that don't call themselves pies but which are more pie-like than some things that do! For example, shepherd's pie contains no actual pastry at all - it's mashed potato. However, a Cornish pasty has pastry all around, but isn't called a pie. It's more of a pie than shepherd's pie. Also, I often make a pie where the bottom is just a ceramic dish and the pastry is just a lid over the apple or stew or whatever. Is this just a semi-pie? Share your pie thoughts below...
Badger Dec 2017 8:34am, 4 Dec 2017 8,878 posts	Quote Pin Badger I have a mathematician friend who is mildly obsessed with topology, and for him, the pie has to have a pastry crust and it must enclose the filling completely. When he buys pies in pubs, he has long conversation with the staff about how the crust works and gets very upset if it turns out to be filling with a separately cooked section of pastry popped on top for serving. I've never dared ask him where he stands on cottage pie. I do not believe this is the way to happiness and contentment.
While Raptor Knitted Socks by Night Dec 2017 8:56am, 4 Dec 2017 37,211 posts	Quote Pin While Raptor Knitted Socks by Night A pie not completely enclosed in pastry is not any sort of pie, in the same way as most of the abominations posted on the "Porridge" thread can in no way be considered to be porridge. Anyone else old enough to remember that exotic import from Italy, "pizza pie", usually sold in the form of stacks of icy Frisbees spread with tomato ketchup and sprinkled with a processed cheese for those who were privileged enough to have a deep freeze at home?
BaronessBL Dec 2017 8:57am, 4 Dec 2017 6,963 posts	Quote Pin BaronessBL Badger your friend sounds remarkably like a neighbour of mine who shares that opinion on pies too.....
McGoohan Dec 2017 9:03am, 4 Dec 2017 32,155 posts	Quote Pin McGoohan Pizza pie! Shudder
McGoohan Dec 2017 9:04am, 4 Dec 2017 32,156 posts	Quote Pin McGoohan (and as I recall, tasted of cardboard)
Nicholls595 Dec 2017 9:09am, 4 Dec 2017 13,887 posts	Quote Pin Nicholls595 Shepherds pie, not a pie Cottage pie, not a pie Fish pie, not a pie Anything without pastry top and bottom, not a pie Cornish pasty, technically a pie, but not a pie. It is however, food of the Gods.
McGoohan Dec 2017 9:14am, 4 Dec 2017 32,157 posts	Quote Pin McGoohan There are a lot of things with pastry underneath only, e.g. lemon meringue pie pecan pie Should these be reclassified as tarts and quiches?
Nicholls595 Dec 2017 9:15am, 4 Dec 2017 13,888 posts	Quote Pin Nicholls595 Yes
Nicholls595 Dec 2017 9:16am, 4 Dec 2017 13,889 posts	Quote Pin Nicholls595 And steak and kidney suet puddings should only ever be called a pudding, not a pie.