Whether savoury or sweet, pies have a simple, homegrown charm. But many of us are scared to tackle them, perhaps having gnawed our way through one-too-many shop-bought disasters with soggy crusts and dodgy fillings. Here we demystify the simple art of pie baking, with tips and tricks that will have you turning out your own masterpieces like a kitchen professional.
PERFECTING PIE CRUSTS
It all starts with the pie dish you use. Our Stoneware Pie Dish offers superior performance. It’s so much better than a floppy tin foil or glass pie dish as it provides steady and even heat for a perfect crust every time. It has sloped sides and a gentle bowl shape that makes it easier to cut, separate and lift the slices out – and they look really delicious on the plate. 
Banish soggy bottoms! A Pie Bird is your real secret to success when baking a pie. It’s a hollow, vented funnel that allows steam to escape, keeping bottom crusts dry and crisp and preventing fillings from bubbling over in the oven. It also supports the crust in the centre, so that it doesn’t sag and drop onto the filling as it bakes. Besides, have you ever seen anything cuter?
Glaze the top. Beat 1 egg with 2 tablespoons of milk, and brush over the pastry before you pop your pie in the oven. TIP If you need to join a pastry base to the top or would like to add decorative touches using pastry scraps, first brush the edges with this glaze before lightly pressing the joins together, and brush the top of your pie with this glaze for a wonderful golden-brown crust.
Preheat properly. Make sure you preheat your oven to at least 190˚C before you pop your pie in to bake, and use the lower third of your oven for the best results.
Don’t burn the edges! If your crust looks like it’s browning too quickly, cover the top – or just the edges if that’s what’s looking too dark – with strips of tin foil for the remaining baking time.
NOW GET COOKING
It’s that simple! And now to put it all into practice. Choose from our delectable recipes – do you fancy Steak and Kidney Pie, Roast Chicken and Leek Pie or Chicken and Mushroom Pie? And if you really want to stick to the pie theme, follow this up with our mouthwatering Apricot and Almond Pie for pud! Yum!
Steak & Kidney Pie – click here for recipe
Chicken, Leek and Mushroom Pie – click here for recipe
Roast Chicken and Leek Pie – click here for recipe
Apricot and Almond Pie – click here for recipe
TREAT YOUR MUM
Pie Dish with Complimentary Pie Bird Promotion
Purchase any Le Creuset 24cm or 26cm Stoneware Pie Dish and receive a complimentary Pie Bird in our Mother’s Day promotion from 7 April to 11 May. Shop now 
Mini Pie Dish Promotion
Why don’t you also treat your mother to a set of 13cm mini pie dishes – these are just the right size for individual pies, tarts and quiches, and they look really great at the dinner table too. Purchase four for the price of three during our Mother’s Day promotion. Shop now
LE CREUSET STONEWARE
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All prices are correct at time of publication, and are subject to change.
Mother’s Day promotions available between 7 April and 11 May 2014.
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