Pie At Night: Stuart Maconie

Not a new eating out guide or star guide but a journey around the North of England to discover the North at play. If you have read Mr Maconies books before, you will be well aware that he is partial to pie when the opportunity presents itself.

During National Pie Week I cannot recommend this book highly enough to accompany the munching of pastry. Interesting throughout, Mr Maconies insightful obeservations are always well thought out, detailed and humourous.

Holland's Pies: Steak & Kidney Pie

Steak & Kidney Pie, Holland's Pies

Its been a while but at 50p a go (Tesco Offer), you can hardly fail. Warmed up nicely in the oven and then eaten, it was very very palatable with noticeably little Kidney. Too much is the most common failing in a Steak & Kidney Pie for this pie muncher.

The only problem is judging when to dive in without burning your mouth, a difficult and fine art when your chomping at the bit hungry. We will give this  tasty well priced Holland's Pie an 8.5/10 on this occasion.

Snowdon Rocks

Big day tomorrow. Weather is looking foul. Knee is a bit sore, but raring to go !!!!!! If you would like to donate we would appreciate any amount ..........https://www.justgiving.com/Alan-Rowlands2/

LOVE, HOPE and STRENGTH

Love Hope Strength Foundation is a charity that promotes innovative, music related, outreach and awareness programmes for leukemia and cancer sufferers, survivors and their families.

Pieminister Pies: Manchester

Pieminister Pies Manchester Northern Quater

What a delight to finally experience the edible offerings at a Pieminister Pies outlet. Two of the Pie tribe were wandering around Manchester and not far from Piccadily Gardens, on Church Street in the northern quarter, we find the restaurant.

Plenty of taste to choose from........

Staff were great, plenty to choose from, some offers, plenty of optional choices ,a reasonble selection of drinks and some nice puds. The service is good and the staff alert. It's not a huge place but comfortable and enjoyable. We'll be going again soon hopefully. Nice one Pieminister Pies.

Hard to argue against .......

HOLLAND'S PIES IS SEARCHING FOR ITS PERFECT ACCOMPANIMENT‏

Holland’s have a new competition, the details of which are quoted below. Which is your favourite accompaniment?

"For years Holland’s has been producing tasty pies that the people of the UK have come to love – now the proper pie makers have decided that their pies need a companion, which will be available to buy as a tasty accompaniment for Holland’s range of pies and puds. But Holland’s need your help in deciding what that might be!

The search is on to find the perfect condiment for Holland’s Pies; maybe you smother your pie in gravy – but what type? Or maybe it’s that tasty chip chop curry sauce that tingles your taste buds! Maybe it’s traditional brown sauce or ketchup that adds that something extra. Or is there a secret ingredient that you add to your pie? Whatever it is Holland’s would like to know!

To enter, simply head to Holland’s Facebook or Twitter page and post your suggestion, using the hashtag #perfectpies or email perfectpies@hollandspies.co.uk with your name and address and perfect pie accompaniment proposal! All suggestions will be put forward to Holland’s judges and a new range of side sauces will be created! What’s more, those that put forward an idea will be in with a chance of winning the new accompaniments!*

Become a fan and share your ideas at facebook.com/hollandspiesofficial and on Twitter@hollandspies. For further information on the Holland’s Pie range please visit www.hollandspies.co.uk. Holland’s is one of the UK’s best-loved pie makers; producing a range of delicious pies, puddings and pastries."

CPOP Pie Tasting

The day before CPOP we had been attending a wedding in Yorkshire and briefly stopped in Skipton en-route, following a recommendation on Pies. Spoilt for choice we bought four from two purveyors of pies ( J Stanforth Butchers and Farmhouse Fare ) and decided to have a group tasting for the best feedback.

Pie Panel limbering up for tasting session - CPOP2014

A definite plus to our visit this year was the Beefmeister Wagon in attendance , which meant that meals (inc a Barbie) were enjoyed in some comfort and libations could be had with no driving compromising any one.....Happy days !!!

It also meant we could give some serious attention to some pie tasting. Four pork Pies had been selected from two exceptional providers, existing no more than 50 yards apart. From both we chose a Pork & Black Pudding Pie to compare. We also had a Pork & Cranberry (Farmhouse Fare) and a Pork & Chilli ( J Stanforth Butchers) offering to taste. Below is a summary of a group impression of each

J Stanforth Butchers

Pork and Black Pudding Pie - Good pie and the black Pudding element was tasty and moist. A frequent observation when Black pudding is in a pie, is that it is dry & crumbly which this definitely was not. However the Pork was a little bland by comparison. The pastry was ok and jelly was present. 7.5/10

Pork and Chilli Pie - The seller did, as we were leaving the shop, issue an understated guide that this was a tad on the warmish side !!! Wow it was hot. It does come with a warning on the outside as a Skull and Cross Bones is raised up in the pastry! We liked it but the over riding experience was heat which again overshadowed the Pork element, considerably in this case. An excellent Pie for bonfire night or at football match in the bleak midwinter. 8/10

Farmhouse Fare
Pork and Black Pudding Pie - A good Pie, nice pastry, tasty pork, jelly present but an underwhelming Black Pudding experience. Not a lot of it, dry, crumbly and little taste.  8/10 

Pork and Cranberry Pie - A mixed response from our panel. I liked it, it was moist and tasty, sweet and savoury. But not for everyone. 7.5/10

Overall we thought if you could combine the two Black Pudding pies you would be close to perfection. The Pork & Chilli was hot, very hot which helped build a thirst! The Pork & Cranberry is very much down to whether you like the combination. To see some close ups images follow the link to idreamofpies facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Idreamofpies

Obviously we look forward to tasting more from either emporium as the standard and devotion is high. Chatting to the guy in Stanforths he informed me that they sold and made on site 10,000 of their little beauties a week. We presume they have a thriving wholesale side to their business or Skipton residents munch more pies per person than any other place in Britain! Which is understandable after trying these.

Ripley Castle with Tom & Michelle

Ripley Castle & Gardens, Beautiful

Big congratulations to Tom and Michelle, on getting married and choosing such a wonderful place as a Ripley Castle and Gardens, which was truly fascinating. 

We had a great time witnessing your special day and hope you had a memorable time too. Particularly liked the string quartet playing Bitter Sweet Symphony by the Verve, most excellent, the sweets, the view, the service, the guests ....

Tom & Michelle, Beautiful

Pork & Apple Pie: S.J. Bebbington Butchers

Pork & Apple Pie, S.J. Bebbington Butchers

A treat from SJ Bebbington Butchers, selected and provided by Mrs Pieman, though not sure what we'd done to deserve it? What an  excellent choice. Perfect size, nice moist pastry, excellent meat, some jelly and a topping of sliced apple cooked to a great finish.

Not the first time we've had the combination but often the apple is a mush, tasteless or quite sharp. This was very tasty, very nice and definitely a 9/10. 

Holland's NEW Steak & Guinness® Pie

Holland's Steak & Guinness® Pie

Received the following news from Hollands Pies today regarding the new addition to their Gourmet range the Holland's & Guiness® Steak Pie

"This popular beer and pie collaboration offers a large 247g, deep-filled pie, with a slow cooked prime steak in a rich dark gravy infused with GUINNESS^® beer, and wrapped in Holland’s classic golden shortcrust pastry.  Holland’s wealth of knowledge and years of tradition have been used throughout the cooking process to ensure the final taste is pure perfection with the unmistakeable taste of GUINNESS^® beer.  This pie really is made of more!

 

This foodie craftsmanship is a first-class treat; its recyclable-box packaging also features handy cooking instructions on the front, and what’s more the pie can be microwaved in 4 minutes from fresh.  Available in Tesco stores from April 28^th, priced at £2.00 RRP.  Enjoy the new Holland’s & GUINNESS^tm  pie now!"

From our recent tasting session we think you will not be disappointed by this tasty offering. It is easy to eat !!

Maurice the She Mog

Maurice the She Mog, a photo by Idreamofpies on Flickr.

Welcome to the Pie Tribe household, new resident "Maurice". Boy name, Girl cat. Not known as a Pie eater and if she touches mine she may not be a resident for long !!!! 

Arrived a couple of days before Christmas and shows no sign of disappearing soon despite opportunities to do so. She has only moved 4 doors (from the swampies) so should settle well, particularly with her pyschotic mother on the prowl in the neighbourhood to be avoided at all costs, the inappropriately named bubbles.

Fairly self sufficient and unobtrusive the main problem thus far is her persistent habit of attempting to trip us over by sneaking up when you least expect it and scarring the living daylights out of us.

Hollands Steak & Stilton New FAVOURITE Pie !

Hollands Pie Heaven, Albert Square Chop House

The Pie tribe enjoyed a great evening at the recent "Hollands Pies and Ale tasting" in Manchester. Hosting the evening was the The Albert Square Chop House. Compere for the evening was fascinating Mr Tom Bridges (Pie Master) who was on fine form introducing the various Pies on offer with enthusiasm and keen insightful knowledge.

A number of pies were available with a suggested ale to go with each. Of great interest were some new pies, due to go on sale we believe in 2014, in particular the Hunters Chicken pie and the Steak & Stilton, part of the new Pub classics range. Below is our reviewers morsel by morsel account of each!!!

Chicken + Gravy – part of 2 pack frozen range available from Sept 2013 in Tesco nationwide,  microwave in 3 mins. Generous portions of chicken not just stingy bits in tons of gravy. Tastes well nice

 

Hunters chicken pie – pub classics for 2014. Bacon, pepper, mushrooms, bbq sauce, cheese, chicken breast and thigh. Cheese is a good addition and makes veg and sauce taste better. Chicken got a bit lost in stronger flavours but not a bad pie.

Peppered Steak – to launch 2014, hard to do wrong and one they always do well. New addition of peppercorns to top are brilliant adds a good extra kick. Sauce remains tasty and creamy as always, nice crispy pastry.

Potato and Meat bestseller – not a new one but cracking! P+M not my favourite type of pie but still a good pie, apparently uses Wilja and Esitma taters.

Cheese and onion – again not a new one, but there because who doesn’t like cheese and onion? Remains excellent.

Steak and Stilton – part of new pub classics range to be launched in 2014.  Best pie ever!! Strong stilton flavour but not too overpowering. can still taste the steak and good gravy sauce. MY NEW FAVOURITE PIE 

This is a tremendous compliment given the number of pies we try !!!!! We have in the past enjoyed a Steak/Stilton combination in a pie from a number of artisan pie makers with success. But this is the best we've ever tasted from one of the big boys. We can't wait to get our chops on more.

Many thanks to all the staff on the night from Hollands Pies who made us feel very welcome and supplied us with such tasty Pie.

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.

 

Pieologist

Many thanks to fellow Pie Muncher John Boy for bringing this story to our attention.  We didn't know there was such a job as a Pieologist. Interesting to note the comment at the end of the article, "We are trained to professionally taste rather like wine tasters, so we don't always swallow". I don't know any Pie muncher who could do that!!

The article appears in the Caerphilly Observer as the Pieologist works for local food manufacturer Peters Pies.

Plot 109a is Gone Long live 47a

After four years of fighting with the jungle the Pie Tribe has been offerd a new plot so we have said goodbye to Plot 109a. Fortunately our new plot is much closer to home, closer to water supply, closer to access, has a toilet and a shop !!

However it is a new jungle and a fresh challenge. Still a half plot it seems bigger. We have found 20 plus strawberries plants in the ground needing some tlc but should grow and small damson tree 9 (mmm Jam). The plot is overgrown with cooch grass, bindweed, docs etc but has been cultivated at some time in the last few years as initial digging is revealing potatoes and carrots left in. The fist impressions of the soil are good so just back breaking work to do now.

Piefest

It gave the Pie Tribe great pleasure to welcome the Lord and Lady of Broughton with various members of the Broughton massive to Pie Towers to open the Stringfellow suite. They came bearing gifts including Pie and presented us with the Order of the Loofah.

Various pies were procured from master butcher Phil Salt with the rather large Countryman Pie taking centre stage and it lasted not very long. We hope they enjoyed their visit because we certainly did !!

Dukes Drivin

In mid-September Mrs Pieman and Mother In Pie accepted a ladies day challenge to drive various vehicles to raise money for various charities in conjunction with Chester Lions.

So on a cool Sunday morning we headed to the airfield on the dukes estate. Forming an orderly queue during the next few hours we would see them drive an articulated lorry (twice), fire engine, ambulance, Police Road Traffic car, a Huge Tractor and a Quad Bike.

An excellent time was had with many laughs, a lot of speed and some knee fondling. Between the two of them they raised over £150.00, so thank you to all sponsors.

Sorting Hat

Big thanks to family and friends who contributed to Superpie girls surprise pictures. We had a great time collecting images and everybody was very generous and creative. We put the pictures in a photobook and hid it amongst the new students luggage to be found after we had dropped her off at her digs.

Love, Hope & Strength

Many thanks to all our sponsors who pledge monies for Mr and Mrs Pieman to walk up Snowdon in August to raise funds for the Love, Hope and Strength foundation.

"Love Hope Strength Foundation UK was registered as a charity in 2007 and co-founded by Mike Peters, two times cancer survivor and internationally acclaimed singer of Welsh rock band The Alarm. The charity promotes innovative, music related, outreach and awareness programmes for leukaemia and cancer sufferers, survivors and their families."

The day was very long, tiring and rewarding. Starting from Llanberis village the route followed the Llanberis Path to the top with pauses at certain appropriate points for a few songs from Mike Peters which was excellent. Knees and feet were sore by the time we made it back to the car. But Pie, songs, great views, good company and sponsors kept us going.

The Oggie, silly hat and paper were some of things I ate, wore and carried to raise money from my sponsors which also include giving Mrs Pieman a passionate kiss right at the top of the mountain.

World Ranked

Happy 50th birthday to Marky Boy who celebrated in style with a fantastic party at his home and neighbour Stus. Great food, great organisation and brilliant company with pictures, poems, speeches, many courses and a very generous sprinkling of laughter.

We hope you had a brilliant time Marky Boy because your guests certainly did! Congratulations on your rise into the top 300 ranked Croquet players in the world , after been World ranked as a friend for many many years.

The Shining

What a joy to witness the wedding of the year! Luke and Anja shining together on a beautiful day in more ways than one.

We wish them the best for the future after a fabulous start to their married life.

The weather behaved, lots of guests from all over, GOOD service, brilliant music, Stayin Alive car, fantastic venue for the reception, great speeches and the second best cake I've ever seen for a wedding. No marzipan, icing, fruit or sponge issue, a Cheese Cake, not a cheesecake but a Cheese Cake with layers of Cheshire, Lancashire, Edam & Caerphilly? Absolutely brilliant.