Tuesday 31 July 2012

Peach Leaf Pie : "TWD : Baking with Julia"

With the US Presidential elections looming ahead, here's a bit of trivia for you. They say the most-ordered dessert by US presidential candidates whilst on the campaign trail is... Pie!!! President Obama loves his pie and according to his pastry chef, Bill Yosses, Banana Cream Pie is his favourite. In fact, such is the appeal of the humble pie for the Americans, that his rival, Mitt Romney, has not only declared his love for pies but was also seen rolling out one at a recent campaign stop!

Sitting in India and reading all about America's love affair with pies, helps me understand why this week's "TWD: Baking with Julia" choice of recipe - Blueberry Nectarine Pie, had such popular backing!!  


The original recipe calls for a pie dough much similar to a short crust pastry but instead of an all-butter dough uses a combination of butter and vegetable shortening to achieve a flakier crust. The book uses a filling of nectarines and blueberries for this double-crusted pie.

Since, we get neither nectarines nor blueberries in India, I went with peaches. Not comfortable with using vegetable shortening, I decided to go for an all-butter crust, much like a pate brisee.

And as you can see from the photographs, I had a lot of time on my hands to attempt a leaf pattern for the top layer of the pie. It is an idea that I got from this book by Martha Day.  


I already have a 'tried-and-tested' short-crust pastry recipe that's been used to make these beautiful galettes and tarts. I was keen to see if this pie dough improves upon that. Honestly, it did not!! If any thing, it was a tad too delicate to work with but that could have been largely due to the high humidity in the air these days. But even on the taste and texture front, I'd prefer the recipe I already use.

The peach filling, on the other hand, was a good choice. The hint of lemon juice added to the filling ensures a certain balance in flavour.


But, truth be told, the high point of this pie for me was that leaf pattern I attempted. There is no denying its visual appeal. While it may not be something you attempt for a regular, family dinner, it does have that 'wow-factor' to impress the guests at a dinner party!! A word of caution though, attempt it only if patience is one of your virtues!!



There is no denying the appeal of a good pie and that's what this pie was. It just has this warm, cosy and comforting feel about it that lends itself naturally as a dessert of choice for a get-together with family and friends. No wonder Americans love their pie!!

Due to copyright considerations, only the person hosting the recipe for the group 'TWD:Baking with Julia' can post the recipe on their blog. The recipe for this Pie will be available on the blogs of Hilary and Liz. Alternately, you can write to me at bakerindisguise@gmail.com and I will mail you the recipe.

64 comments:

  1. That is beautiful!!! I'm thinking of going with peach for the galette.

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    1. Thanks cathleen! Peach will be brilliant for the galette.. go for it!!

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  2. So beautiful! I love it!

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  3. You made a picture perfect and very pretty Peach Pie - it just looks so impressive! What a beauty!

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    1. Ooo.. Thanks Andrea!! It may take a while.. but quite easy to do!!! Was lucky to come across the idea!!

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  4. Your pie is just stunning. I have no patience, so I will not give it a go. I bet the peaches taste wonderful.

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    1. I'm quite a patient person and yet this tested my limits... :)..but it was good..maybe the effort would be worthwhile for an occassion!

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  5. Beautiful! I love the leaves! Great idea!

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    1. Thanks!! and the book had so many ideas..instead of leaves it could be stars, hearts..whatever takes your fancy!!

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  6. Beautiful pie, and peaches are so tasteful! The leaves just add the perfect finish!

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  7. Wow is the first thing that comes to my mind when I see this gorgeous pie. So beautiful! Love it.

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    1. Thank you Asmita!! :) the visual appeal of the leaf pattern is undeniable!! :)

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  8. Your leaves are beautiful - and perfect with the shape of the peaches.

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    1. Thanks lynn :).. a lot of work though.. like i said its a crowd-pleaser for a party!!!

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  9. Beautiful looking pie and I applaud your patience :)

    Pear pie should taste delicious too..

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    1. Oh yes.. i applaud my patience too!!! :) I think any fruit pie with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream would be great!!

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  10. beautiful, beautiful pie!

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  11. I would say that this pie is most probably better looking than the ones that have been ordered by the US presidential candidates! Your patience with the top crust pattern deserves sincere admiration!

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    1. Haha!! i know how it looks.. but it was quite easy.. just takes time because you need to carve out quite a few leaves!!

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  12. Let me just say…WOW!! Love, love, the leaf pattern…and your photos are beautiful!!

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  13. Wow Wow Wow! that pie crust design is absolutely beautiful! Looks absolutely tempting.

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    1. Thanks!! I knew I had to try it atleast once when I saw it in the book....

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  14. What a great idea for the top crust! I'm using that idea!

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    1. Go right ahead!! The end result is worth all the effort!!! :)

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  15. This is the most beautiful pie I have ever seen!! May I post a link with your picture and share with my readers? The time you spent artistically shows! Thank you, Catherine http://praycookblog.com

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    1. Aww.. thank you so much for your kind words catherine. I am quite excited that you would like to share pics of this pie with your readers!!

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  16. You win. Everyone else can go home now. : )
    Beautiful pie!

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  17. What a beautiful topping - that had to require a bit of patience. I am impressed.

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    1. Thanks cher.. like i said i can be quite patient at times.. but this tested my limits quite a bit.. more so because..its quite humid out here.. and that made the dough really delicate to work with!!

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  18. Amazing! And peaches? I'm totally in love with this.

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  19. Beautiful crust! Great job!!

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  20. Beautiful pie! The intricate design is worth mentioning. I'd love to try this sometime. Really looks festive!
    I would like to invite you to Yumgoggle. Your phenomenal photos have caught our attention, we have been on the lookout for unique and interesting bloggers since we launched our food photo submission site which is http://www.yumgoggle.com/gallery/ This will allow you to showcase all your great work and share it with our visitors. We’d be proud to have your work as part of our growing collection to continue to have a larger reach and further inspire all fellow food lovers out there! Sorry for the shameless plug to our site =)

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  21. Absolutely gorgeous! LOVE the leaf topping. Looks so so pretty! And the peach filling sounds heavenly! :)

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    1. Thank you!! :) the leaf topping is a result of being stuck at home on a sunday afternoon with nothing really to pass the time!!! :)

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  22. What an amazing looking pie! Peach is a great substitute. I like my crusts all butter as well, but shortening does make it flakier.

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    1. Thanks!! peach was my only substitute... didnt really wanna go with apples! i dont know why but i have a thing against vegetable shortening.. i just do.. so it was always gonna be an all-butter crust!!

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  23. The leaf pattern is so beautiful, it must have taken a long time to make but it is more than worth it..makes the pie look so elegant.
    I love peaches and think they make a wonderful filling

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    1. oh absolutely Sawsan.. it took a while.. but like i said ..for a special occassion.. it really jazzes up the pie!! the visual effect is undeniable!!

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  24. The decorations are wonderful: your pie looks amazing!

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  25. Wow! Stealing this idea for the fall!

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  26. What a gorgeous pie! I may be too lazy to go to all that work, but I would love to try it sometime.

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    1. Oh this is strictly for a very special occassion.. no way do i see myself doing it on a regular basis!! :)

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  27. I love the leaf pattern but I'm not sure that patience is one of my virtues! Beautiful job, great choice with the peach filling in your pie, I love fruit pies but I have to admit to also being partial to banana cream pie;-)

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    1. Thanks Patty!!:) would you all be horrified if i said i've never had a cream pie!! :)

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  28. This is totally beautiful! I usually use a half butter/half shortening crust but the amount of shortening in this one gave me pause. I really liked the taste & the texture but I didn't like working with it very much so I'm undecided about whether I'll make it again. I love that you looked up Obama's favorite pie - I love that one too, but wouldn't you know it's the only pie that I really failed at making? I had to throw away my first attempt. I have made it successfully since though. You should try one and see what you think! :)

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    1. You're right .. maybe i should try these cream pies.. there's a toss between banana cream pie and boston cream pie.. are they more or else similar.. from the support banana cream pie's been getting even from president O, i think will try for that!!!:))

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  29. Hey Baker in disguise! I simply love your pie! I'm seeing the leafy covering for the first time! Loved your blog so very much!! :)

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    1. Thanks Kavi!! That leafy covering is quite simple as long as you have the patience!! :) Come by again!! :))

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  30. I love the leaf pattern! I can see it would take a lot of patience. Peach pie is a wonderful choice - my problem is that I just can stop eating them out of hand - it's hard to have enough left to make a pie.

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    1. It was more a case of not having any other fruit to choose from..wasnt too keen on apple.. so peaches were my only choice... but am right there with you...i can have them all on their own!!

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