Pie Recipes Can be Made With Many Wild Berries Like the Huckleberry Pie Recipe
Delicious pie recipes come to my mind as I see all the wild edible berries ripening around the farm. When learning how to make a pie, don’t forget all the wild berries that grow in many areas. There are many different types of berries and there is a unique flavor from the wildness; plus they are free. Although I do love the cream filled pies and other fruit pies, there is just something great about fresh berries baking in a flaky pie crust. 
When I was young, Mom and Dad use to take advantage of all the berries growing wild around our area. Both were great cooks as I have told you so many times before. In the spring, they looked forward to the wild raspberries, blackberries and mulberries for great pies. Of course, they were even more appealing being that they were free. I know that Dad like good gooseberry pies, but I can’t remember where those berries came from.
A friend of mine said she used to make a good huckleberry pie and a good elderberry pie recipe from wild berries. She was also telling me that the elderberries, which grow along roadsides and streams in late summer, have many health benefits.
HUCKLEBERRY PIE RECIPE
Stem, wash and thoroughly drain berries. Mix tapioca, sugar and salt together and sprinkle over berries; add lemon juice. Line a 9 inch pie pan with rolled pastry dough, pour in the berry mixture and dot with pieces of butter. Cover with a top crust and pinch edges together to seal. Make some cuts or decorative holes in the top to let steam escape. NOTE: I lay aluminum foil over the oven rack under the pie pan when baking. Often juices from berries run out of pie and make a mess in the oven.) Bake for 10 minutes in very hot oven 450F degrees (DO NOT USE GLASS PIE PLATE AT THIS HOT TEMPERATURE-IF YOU MUST USE GLASS REDUCE HEAT TO LOWER TEMPERATURE AND BAKE LONGER) Then reduce heat to 350F degrees for another 35 minutes.
Besides all the wild berries growing everywhere, many people plant berry bushes, plants and trees, such as the strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and blackberry. All these different berries are available from spring through the summer. Besides making fruit pie recipes, all the berries are good in cobblers and other fruit desserts.
The first secret to good pie recipes is a good flaky pie crust. It should also be tender, delicate and evenly browned. It is not crumbly, but when broken shows layers of flat flakes, piled one above the other with air spaces between the layers. This flakiness of the crust is caused by the many particles of fat surrounded and separated by flour. During baking each particle of fat is melted to form a delicate flake. Slow, rough handling may cause these particles to melt and form a solid mass with the flour, which is hard and tough after baking.
Chilled ingredients are important for successful pie recipes. For the beginner, even chill the flour. A pastry blender is good to cut the fat into the flour because the heat from your hands prematurely melts the fat. Distribute the fat evenly through the flour until the pieces of fat are the size of small peas.
Greatest care is required when adding the water. Too much moisture makes the crust hard and brittle. Too little makes a crust which cracks at the edges while being rolled; it may crack open while baking and will be difficult to serve. A good rule to follow is use recipes which has been recommended by someone you know and has been used over and over again.
The following pie crust is called “no fail”. I use it very often and is so easy for beginners. PIE CRUST RECIPE (this makes 5 single pie crust)
Blend the flour, shortening and salt. Put yolks and vinegar in a measuring cup. Add enough water to bring it to 1 cup. Mix well. Add liquid to the flour and shortening mixture. Mix well. Turn out on a floured surface and quickly knead until smooth. Roll out to make your favorite pie recipes.
Try More Delicious Pies Below:Return to How to Make a Pie
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