Comfort food comes in many forms, but my favourite oozes in the middle and has a buttery crust on top. Yes, I'm talking about the humble pie. When winter is unkind or you've had a long day, this is the meal I want to wrap my mouth around and disappear in. You can pull one together in a matter of minutes or you can take your time, braising, deglazing, even rolling out your own pastry from scratch, if that's your thing. And if you're craving something sweet after, there's a pie for that too.
Behold, 8 pie recipes to cling to when in need of comfort.
1. Mchamar (Moroccan herb, egg and potato pie) by Ellie Bouhadana
A recipe Boudahana shared with RUSSH from her most recent takeover at Napier Quarter in Melbourne. This is a kind of rustic, comforting Moroccan pie (often likened to an eggy cousin of a kugel or a thick frittata) often celebrated as a staple in Sephardic and North African cuisine.
2. Strawberry, almond and brown sugar tart recipe by Matilda Riek
What really even is the difference between a tart and a pie anyways? To us, they're all a gloriously round, sweet and delicious slice-able fixture in the dessert world. And this recipe from Matilda Riek, baker and founder of August in West End, balances a crisp, buttery shell with a soft, almond-rich centre and fruit that gently caramelises as it bakes.
3. Passionfruit tart by Bistro George
Again – tart or pie? You decide. But this sweet treat is potentially the most perfect dinner party dessert – fragrant passionfruit, a crisp tart shell and a kiss of vanilla. It's French-inspired but with an Australian essence.
4. Mini Key Lime Smash Pies by Roti Brown
View this post on Instagram
Creamy, tangy, and bite-sized with a buttery graham cracker crust – these are dinner party delights as much as they are a delicious weeknight treat. We trust just about anything Brown serves up on her Instagram, so we'll be making these stat.
5. Strawb-offee Pie by Charlotte Forsyth Wastell
View this post on Instagram
The London-based writer, photographer and co-founder of Hands London shared her take on Strawb-offee Pie for Hunted + Gathered – and its been living in our minds rent-free ever since. It's topped with caramel, zabaglione cream, whole strawberries, and whipped cream – and a dusting of cocoa, for good measure.
6. Spanakopita by Sophia Kestelman
View this post on Instagram
A favourite family recipe from Kestelman, this Greek spanakopita pie is a crowd pleaser made up of wilted greens, salty Greek Feta cheese, puffed, golden brown pastry and just a hint of nutmeg.
7. Lattice Apple Pie by Bon Appetit
View this post on Instagram
There really is no pie more famed and beloved than the classic apple varietal – and this old-fashioned lattice apple pie recipe from Bon Appetit is sure to remind you of those nostalgic slices from your childhood. Featuring juicy Honeycrisp apples dressed up with a little butter, lemon zest, and cinnamon – there's even a little cream cheese in this dough to keep it tender and easy to handle.
8. Courgette tart by Julius Roberts
View this post on Instagram
We're not sure if there's anyone on this planet who loves a courgette (zuchinni) as much as British chef Julius Roberts – and so it's with this in mind that we recommend you try this delicious springy zuchinni, basil and ricotta tart (yes, we know the tart vs. pie battle rages on – we don't care). It's incredibly simple and can be adapted for an easy store-bought pastry in a flash.
