Add A New Dimension To Your Pallet – Flavoured Pie Crust!
Pie crust usually has secondary status to the filling. By simply adding a complementary flavour elevates both elements.
Try a few spice combinations to make a flavoured pie crust that will complement the filling and any accompanied beverages. Flavoured teas, apple cider and hot toddy.
When pie is served with an alcoholic liquor mixed with sugar, spice and hot water Using ground ginger and black pepper in a crust to bring out the different tones of a hot toddy pie. Creates “Flavor on Flavor on FLAVOR”.
Another one of my favourites is Cream Cheese Apple Pie, using cream cheese instead of shortening or lard, and add a pinch of cinnamon in the crust. Combine some finely crushed nuts to add a nutty flavour.
The trick is to not get carried away with the spices, less is more. You do not want the crust to take away the main act… the filling. Preferably, the crust condiment serves to enhance the flavour of the filling, not compete with it.
Evade clashing flavours, use only a hint of herbs, spices, extracts, and zests, unless using an unembellished flavoured filling, in which a more animate crust flavour would enhance the taste buds.
Incorporating of citrus zest with fruit pies, warm spices with custard pies, and add a pinch in the crust will make a world of difference. While vanilla goes with just about anything, try other flavours like imitation butter flavour, almond, rum or orange blossom extract. They are concentrated and add little moisture while packed with flavour. Since I am allergic to dairy, adding imitation butter flavour with the almond extract helps get the butter taste without the allergic ingredient of butter.
We recommend using dry flavoured enhancement over wet ingredients —for instance, if you’re searching for a lemony bite, use the zest rather than the juice of the fruit.
A few Suggested flavour Combinations:
Lemon meringue pie filling – 1 tsp. poppyseeds + 1 tsp. thyme leaves in crust
Apple pie filling – ¼ tsp. ground anise + seeds from ½ vanilla pod
Pumpkin pie filling – ¼ tsp. ground cloves + ginger from ½ vanilla pod
Apple pie filling – 1 tsp. finely chopped rosemary + 1 tsp. finely grated orange zest
Chocolate pie filling – 1 tsp. poppyseeds + 1 tsp. thyme leaves
Custard and Chess pie filling – ½ tsp. almond extract + 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest in crust
Pumpkin or sweet potato pie filling – ¼ tsp. ground allspice + ½ tsp. orange blossom water in crust
Crust: adding different flours like almond, cornmeal, hemp, buckwheat and flaxseed can also enhance flavour to the crust. Don’t forget the cream cheese element instead of lard or shortening.
Any suggestions please feel free to post…
