The essential pie making kit
Pie making is an important part of UK food culture and history. Chef Calum Franklin reveals all the equipment you need to craft a traditional British pie.
As the head chef at Holborn Dining Room, Calum Franklin is reviving the skill of high-end British pie making with his perfect creations. Here are the tools you'll need to create your own pie masterpieces...
1. Non-stick springform cake tin
If you want a raised pie with a top, bottom and sides, then this tin is key. Line it with a sheet of pastry and freeze until hard, then fill with your chosen filling and top with the pastry lid – you’re halfway to pie glory. Available at Lakeland.
2. Long rolling pin
Trying to roll a large sheet of pastry to line a pie base isn’t easy with a small rolling pin, so invest in one that gives you an even, uniform thickness. Weak spots in pastry will burst under pressure during cooking and lead to leaky pies, so a good rolling pin that will last for a long time really is essential equipment. Available at Nisbets.
3. Small pastry brush
Egg-washing a pie for a golden finish needs to be done with care so the egg doesn’t pool in places and look unsightly after cooking. Invest in a couple of small pastry brushes, and always wash them straight after use so they last. Available at Nisbets.
4. Organic flour
“Freshly milled, untreated flour is a different ingredient to the standard supermarket product,” Calum says. “I wouldn’t use anything else in something that I take so much care in making.” Organic flour will give you a superb, rich-tasting pastry, which is a joy to work with. Available at Gilchesters.
5. Temperature probe
If you’re cooking a pie that will be served cold – such as a pork pie – monitoring internal temperature is crucial. It helps make sure that it’s cooked enough to be safe to eat, and also stops it from becoming overcooked and dry. Available at Lakeland.
Find more pastry making tips...
How to master pastry
How to make the ultimate mince pies
11 super easy ways to decorate a pie
How to cook with pastryWhat other equipment do you find essential for pie making? Leave a comment below...
Holborn Dining Room is a grand British brasserie within the elegant Rosewood London hotel. The restaurant serves seasonal, locally sourced British cuisine with a twist. A dedicated Pie Room, opening soon within Holborn Dining Room, will serve as a hub for the dish that Calum Franklin has become known for.
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