Perfect Pies From Around The World
Pies are among the most gratifying foods available because they are coated in pastry and packed with flavorful ingredients. They may be found in many different variations all over the world. We've compiled the top pies from throughout the globe that everyone should taste, from Australia and New Zealand's hand-held meat pies to Greece's spinach-filled spanakopita.
Stargazy Pie, England, UK
The little Cornish town of Mousehole is where stargazy pie first appeared. According to legend, it was created in the sixteenth century when a local fisherman named Tom Bawcock helped the villagers escape starvation by returning after a stormy and violent day at sea with a great catch. The pie is generally created by packing a thick pastry crust with entire pilchards, hard-boiled eggs, and potatoes, however other ingredients can also be used. The heads of the pilchards are typically visible peeking out of the top, staring up at the sky.
Borek, Various Locations
The meal known as borek, also occasionally termed byrek, has centuries-old origins in the Ottoman Empire. This savory pie, which is incredibly well-liked throughout the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central Asia, is prepared by rolling out dough, often filo, and then stuffing it with a variety of contents. It is a staple of street food stands in Albania, where it is typically packed with eggs, cheese, or minced meat.
Saskatoon Berry Pie, Canada
Pastries packed with berries may be found anywhere, but this pie from Canada is really something unique. Originally from the Canadian Prairies, this straightforward meal has a delicious filling of the local Saskatoon berries, which are comparable to blueberries in flavor and form. It also has a lot of sugar, lemon juice, and cornflour. The ideal way to serve it is with a big scoop of ice cream or a liberal drizzle of cream.
Vlaai, Netherlands
Originating in the southernmost region of the Netherlands, vlaai is a sweet pie consisting of a dough similar to bread and a fruit filling, typically composed of cherries, apricots, or plums. It can be found in several forms: completely covered in pastry, with a lattice-style lid, or with a butter and sugar crumble topping. Although its exact beginnings are unknown, it is believed to have originated in the 12th century. Whatever the case, once the first vlaai shop opened in Amsterdam in 1986, its popularity took off.
Zelnik, Bulgaria and North Macedonia
For many years, Bulgarian and North Macedonian cuisine has revolved around this classic Balkan pie. Like borek, it's most frequently prepared with crispy layers of filo pastry, however it can also occasionally be made with a basic dough made of leavened wheat flour. Depending on where you eat it, the filling varies, but often it's filled with rice, leeks, onions, feta cheese, and sirene, a white brine cheese. In addition, it occasionally includes leafy greens like cabbage or collards. It's typically consumed around the winter holidays.
Egyptian Goulash, Egypt
When you hear the term "goulash," you might picture a boiling bowl of stew, but these authentic Egyptian pies are nothing like the soupy Hungarian mainstay. Egyptian goulash, sometimes called phyllo meat pies, are really crispy filo pastry filled with minced beef that are flaky and bite-sized. Usually cooked in a large baking dish, they have a mildly aromatic combination of coriander, allspice, and paprika.
Read Also: Step-by-Step Guide to Rolling Perfect Spring Rolls
Peach Pie, USA
For good reason, Georgia is renowned as the Peach State; throughout the summer, its orchards are brimming with fragrant, juicy, and sweet peaches that may be utilized to produce a wide variety of savory and sweet dishes. But the greatest of them all, in our view, is Georgia peach pie. In this recipe, peaches, sugar, lemon juice, flour, and butter are carefully placed into a buttery pie crust, which is then cooked until the filling is bubbling and the dough is golden. It tastes amazing when served cold and sliced, especially with plenty of whipped cream.
Kreatopita, Greece
Particularly well-liked on the Greek island of Kefalonia is this simple pie packed with meat. The meat mixture is flavored with herbs and spices, such as oregano and cinnamon, and blended with Carolina rice, a soft white grain that is farmed in Serres, northern Greece, before being stuffed between pieces of filo dough. This meal is meant to be shared and is frequently presented on a mezze snacking tray.
Scotch Pie, Scotland, UK
Said to have been around for 500 years, Scotch pies may be found all around Scotland in bakeries, supermarkets, and cafés. These filled pies were once served with a cheap, spicy mutton filling, but now they're made with firm hot water crust dough for mess-free munching. These days, beef is typically used to make them. Serving shell pies, mince pies, and even football pies, these delicacies are frequently provided at sporting events around the nation.