Spiced Caramelised Pineapple Pie
Pies are defined by their crusts. The crust is the deal breaker…if it’s not crisp, tender and melt in the mouth, no amount of unctuous filling can save it.
This pie has it all, a sweet, biscuity crust, a sharp, sweet, spiced filling resonant of Caribbean climes and the most delicious, moreish salty caramel that is mouth burningly moreish.
One slice of this will never be enough.
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The key to the flavour of the pie lies in that wonderful caramelisation, take your time and you will reap the rewards
Caramelisation occurs when sugars oxidise. inherent water in the pineapple evaporates as steam, causing the non enzymatic browning of sucrose and glucose, found in the brown sugar. This occurs at 160C. The reason the pineapple will brown so nicely is that the Fructose present in the fruit begins to caramelise at 110C
Allowing plenty of time for the pineapple to cool will ensure no soggy pastry….
Now the pastry….
As I said, the heart & soul of a pie begins and ends with the integrity of the pastry
Believe it or not, creating a lattice is easy, just make sure to chill the pastry first, cut the strips then chill again so they are firm yet pliable
A lattice top provides the perfect rustic texture on this pie, but let us not forget the double crust, a slice of pie is never a slice without the double crust!
Chilling the Pie for at least 2 hours before baking ensures that the pastry will crisp up instead of melting when the heat hits the butter.
A sprinkle of Demerara sugar on the crust after an egg wash it totally optional, but definitively desirable, it’s all in that crunch!
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