Welcome to Hotline Rewind, the weekly collection the place we collect up your questions from the week (and pepper in some from the Hotline archives) a few particular culinary matter. We’re within the countdown to Turkey Day and we will principally assure that there will probably be a minimum of one pie in your dessert desk. Pie scares lots of people as a result of there are two distinct elements which have lots of variables: dough and filling. However by no means concern, I’m right here to reply your questions:
Butter or shortening for crust?
Each have advantages, however butter beats out shortening for 2 key causes. For one, shortening doesn’t carry lots of taste to the social gathering, which may work in sure cases (pot pies, extra subtly flavored issues, for instance). However within the case of pie dough, I really like the richness that butter brings. Secondly, it leads to a flaker crust. Flakes happen in pastry when the water in fats is heated till it evaporates, inflicting flakes to disperse by way of the dough. And since butter has the next water content material than shortening, so it leads to a lighter, barely extra delicate (in a great way) crust.
How early are you able to blind bake pie dough?
Someday in an hermetic container at room temperature however in reality, I discover blind baking to be a comparatively painless, sub 30 minute course of. Higher to roll out, let freeze for as much as per week, then blind bake from the freezer.
What’s the finest canned pumpkin filling?
We at Food52 are Libby’s folks. They breed their very own proprietary model of squash to offer a candy, warming taste. Watch out to make use of pumpkin puree as a substitute of canned “pumpkin pie filling” which has added sugar, components, spices and leaves little room so that you can season it your self.
How lengthy will a pie maintain at room temperature?
One to 2 days on the counter coated with foil, or within the fridge for per week.
Greatest pie apples?
My rule of thumb is 3 elements tart apples to 1 half candy. The most effective baking apple for tartness is Granny Smith. For sweets, it’s type of reader’s alternative, however I dig issues like Fuji, Pink Woman or Snap Dragon. Consider it like wine: You shouldn’t prepare dinner with one thing you would not eat (or within the case of vino, drink), so don’t make pie with apples you would not be joyful to snack on.
Why do folks use vinegar in pie dough?
Many individuals assume including vinegar or vodka prevents gluten formation, which makes the pie crust a bit harder, however this has principally been debunked. What it does stop is oxidation, which may flip your crust greenish-gray after just a few days within the fridge. That mentioned, oxidized dough tends to bake off the identical golden beautiful coloration as contemporary dough does.
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