Andrea is back from the Cascadia Grains Conference and is excited about being part of the movement to revitalize the grain economy in the Pacific NW. One of her favorite treats was baking Whole Grain Digestive Biscuits, which Stefin loves, although both our hosts agree a new name is needed to make this cookie sound more appealing. Andrea struggled with the four strand braid for challah bread until a fellow classmate taught her a quick and easy method for counting the strands. Another special treat was Andrea’s first time baking with spelt, in a spelt spice cake with the head baker from the Tom Douglas Bakeries.

Time to review the Pork, Apple and Cider Pie from Paul Hollywood’s Pies and Puds cookbook. Andrea and her mom tackled this one together, and except for a misstep when measuring flour and confusing weights with measures, it turned out great! Stefin had equal success, and both hosts agree that a side of mashed potatoes are absolutely essential for the delicious gravy that comes naturally with this pie.

Up next is Alton Brown’s Shoo-Fly Pie, another pie from the popular ‘desperation pie’ or ‘pantry pie’ category. Stefin warns listeners that while the recipe may look complex, the bulk of it contains extensive directions on blind baking a crust. In fact, Stefin may use February sponsor Pie Provisions Pie Crust mix to save herself some time in the kitchen! If you bake along this week, feel free to use your own blind baking method, and make sure to measure your molasses by weight with your food scale (don’t rely on the volume indicator on the bottle).

To wrap up this week’s episode of Pie School, the hosts share their essential pie tools. Andrea can’t live without glass Pyrex pans, available at the local Goodwill; a pastry wheel (which she called a pastry cutter on the episode- whoops!); a tapered rolling pin; rolling pin rubber rings; and, finally, a PieBox! Stefin’s list also includes her tapered French rolling pin, and she points out how much easier they are to manipulate than the regular ball bearing pins. She also loves her deep dish pie plate, gifted to her as a wedding present.

Listeners, what is your most essential pie tool or gadget?

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