Pie Society: Bring on the Pies!

As well as sampling some tremendous pies at our recent pie tasting session with Holland's Pies, it also introduced us to Author/Cookery Detective/Chef, Mr Tom Bridges. Approachable, fascinating and informative his passion for pies is there for all to see in person and in his book, Pie Society which we strongly recommend to all pie munchers who have an ambition to making their own or want learn more about pies generally. With some great photgraphy it had us drooling just looking through.

It is currently available through amazon  and would make an excellent present for any pie muncher you know.

 

Go Dutch, Eat a Holland's Pie!





We were very happy recently to accept an invitation by Holland's Pies  & Puddings to a pie tasting event in Manchester. What a wonderful evening with a nice venue, the Rain Bar and great hosts. Different beers were available to taste to accompany your particular Pie. Also an informed guide to Pies was provided by chef and author Tom Bridges. Finally the stars of the show were Holland's various pies.

Arriving early for the event (that's a first!) the first pie up was the Chicken and Ham Hock. I must admit personally I'm not a big fan of Chicken in any pie but this was excellent, very tasty indeed. Next up was the Beef and Vegetable Pasty which was piping hot and of course I couldn't wait...ouuuucccchhhhh. It was very moreish and definitely worth a repeat serving!!

The third offering was the Peppered Steak pie which was simply fantastic. This one didn't last long at all on the plate! Finally came the Cheese & Onion pie which was very good although we would ask for a bit more onion in it. If it's going to be there you need to be able to taste it.  

We were asked at end of the evening which was our favourite taste, which means that perhaps we didn't like one, but that was not the case as they were all enjoyable and I would have them again willingly. But the Peppered steak won out by a clear margin amongst the gathered throng. Quite apart from the taste overall we like the size of the pies and the pastry. Often you can buy a pie and it's a good handful but too often its a thick dry crust with a lot of air...not these babies oh no.

Many thanks to Holland's Pies for an informative and enjoyable evening. It was great to hear about the Hot water pastry and other background from Tom Bridges. Subsequent testing with some samples at home would also suggest oven heat rather than Microwave if you've got the time and patience!

 

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

One of the musical highlights of the year has to be the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Walking into a gig with the band members is a little different and so the tone of the whole event is set. Serious and gifted musicians all these performers approach it with fun and enthusiasm in abundance.

Their take on rock, punk, pop classics is captivating and invigorating. Their version of Lady Gagas "Born This Way" was just absolutely brilliant. Coupled with their versions of Born To Be Wild , Anarchy in The UK (with all the wrinklies joining in the chorus !!!), Smells Like a teenager, Good The Bad and The Ugly...... it made for a fanatstic evening. We look forward to the opportunity of seeing them again in the future.

Southbank Sunday

Whilst down London way we made our way to Soutbank on the sunday, its always an interesting area with plenty of things to see and do. This visit was no exception particularly with the Olympics on.

One highlight for the Pie Tribe was the Real Food Market  which was delicious to wander round and taste different things. Some pies were on sale and the Pie Student opted for the Pie looking option Pierogi pictured below. Whilst it looks like a smallish pasty it is in fact a type of dumpling made with unleavened dough boiled and then deep fried. Tasty and obviously very healthy.

We love the views from around the Southbank with the river and iconic buildings even if it did lash down with rain. Also a very nice man from Virgin was giving out Strawberry Split ice creams on the train for free which was an excellent end to the day. Once again many thanks to Kathy L and Von Smallhousen.

Piefect Day with Team GB

The Olympics in London were fantastic in so many different ways. Our own personal memories will be of the largest attended single event in Olympic history the mens Olympic Cycling Road Race. Although team GB did not win a medal the event was brilliant and we had the best of experiences watching.

It meant a long trip but it was well worth the effort. We stayed in lovely Carshalton with Kathy L and Von Smallhousen to whom we are very grateful. We made our way early via train to Leatherhead and then by foot to the circuit part of the route at Box Hill. The weather was very kind to us all day which helped enormously. Despite getting there early it was packed. We found a down hill spot just before a tight bend and settled in to wait for the action to start. 

I will never forget the organisation, the atmosphere, the singing, cheering, banter, laughter, stewards (Ambassadors) and the action itself. It was absolutely brilliant and although we were very tired by the time we got back it was worth the effort.

As it was Saturday we headed off for chippy tea down Carshalton high street to be greeted by the Pukka-Pies sign below, excellent. Not so excellent as they have run out of Pies not one to be had. Carshalton is a Pie desert. The Butchers serves a terrible Pie and the chippie has run out, come on Carshalton get some pies in. 

I think it may be to do with the local cat population secretly eating all the  pies in the area. On average they are the largest group of feline beasts I have ever seen including one three legged ginger the size of a fox!

Five Layer Choc Cake

We have have often encountered some nice pies at Bellis Brothers Farm Shop and Garden Centre but on this occasion we would like to recommend this periodic offering the Five Layer chocolate cake. Their cakes seem to be home produced and rotated so it's it not always on but so so nice mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Gallery of Costume

Not my choice, but with time to kill, the Pie Princess has an interest so a visit to the Gallery of Costume in South Manchester was arranged. 

 

Interesting enough and free to view I wouldn't set aside more an hour or so to go round. The Button Museum was fascinating!!!! Please note there was no Pie available at this centre and we hadn't seen a Greggs for at least five minutes.

Then it was to see the Pie student, watch Brave at Salford Quays and enjoy chippy tee night in sunny Salford.

Buddha's Belly

The pie tribe en masse travelled to London by train during July to visit family and new friends. We had a brilliant time in rainy London and sunny Bromley. Arriving early Saturday morning we initially made our way to Camden for breakfast at the Lost Elephant. Once refuelled and after the rain had battered down, it was off round the market which was as ever busy and interesting.

Student Pie succumbed to the most enormous cup cake we've ever seen and they were handing free beer out on the high street which is a good enough reason to like a place. 

From Camden we head to Kensington High Street to get some emergency clothing replacements!!!! From here we head to the Portobello Road market which is heaving ( Nasty Nick in an enormous trench coat passes by us ) and absolutely tiring. A break is needed and we stop in a Notting Hill Bistro/cafe for the most expensive (but delicious) cheese on toast. The rain again comes down heavy whilst we are munching.

We then head across town to meet up with family in Greenwich by the Cutty Sark. We have a couple of refreshments in a local hostelry and repair to Bromley. After settling into our accommodation it's off to Buddha Belly for a brilliant evening with family and new friends. The food is great, the chat is great and the laughter non stop.

Sunday dawns bright, beautiful and a bit windy. After a walk around town it's off to Pie Brothers home for a poolside barbecue and get together with family/friends old and new. The company is great , the food is brilliant and we don't want the day to end. But eventually we have to head home and with great thanks to Pie niece we set off. It's hard to believe but even without Pie we've had a great time.

British Mud Prix

It was touch and go as to whether the event would go ahead but the organisers decision to close the car parks and restrict attendance on the Saturday probably made the Grand Prix go relatively well. We actually ended up parking fairly close to where we did previously and were only delayed for the last 1/2 mile or so. The staff were pretty helpful not just towing people off but towing them on!! They also stayed well after the end to help as well.

Yes it was very muddy and some people were ill equipped but it was ok. The toilets were pretty good,better than Monza (wouldn't be difficult) and more plentiful than Spa. The racing itself was good and the entertainment not bad. The weather was a pain and typically it stopped for the race. Bernie's idea of sprinklers is not that mad. 

Pie was available on site, but for guaranteed quality reasons, supplies were bought in advance before we set off. The Pie of choice was the dependable and excellent Steak Pie from Phil Salts mmmm very very tasty. Also once you've got a reasonable spot your there for the day. An added treat was meeting up with some Vikings for beer in the rain!

CPOP 2012

Mr Pieman and Georgio Dragonslayer went to Cholmondley Pageant of Power. It was a pretty awful day weather wise but apart from a few cars not running or taking it easy it was excellent. With an array of stalls, food, cars, bikes there was plenty to entertain and enjoy.

Pie was found as well as the Crusty Pie Company was here again with a selection of delectable goodies. We chose the Gloucester Old Spot Pork Pie with crumbly cheese topping and The Pork and Creamy Stilton Pie. They were ok but a little disappointing, both being quite dry and the Stilton being hardly noticeable. Still it always better than no pie.

It was the second year running we've been and it was a very good day out despite the weather. One of the highlights was the Aston Martin One-77 which was simply beautiful. Another highlight was standing right next to the engine when the mechanic fired up the ex F1 Lamborghini Lotus with it's deafening V12 engine !! Also bumped into the Biscuitman and in laws by the scrambling  bikes display which was great to watch.