Custard pie facts for kids
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| Type | Pie |
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| Main ingredients | Pie shell, custard |
A custard pie is a delicious dessert with a creamy filling baked inside a pie crust. The filling, called custard, is usually made from milk, eggs, sugar, and a touch of vanilla. Sometimes, a sprinkle of nutmeg is added on top for extra flavor.
It's different from a cream pie, where the creamy part is cooked first. Then, it's poured into a crust that has already been baked and cooled. Custard pies, however, are baked with the filling and crust together. Some popular custard pies include pumpkin pie, lemon and buttermilk chess pie, coconut cream pie, and buko pie (a Filipino coconut pie).
True custard is a liquid that gets thick because of eggs. Because custard pies often use many whole eggs, they can be very rich and satisfying.
The History of Custard Pies
People have been making custards for a very long time! The Ancient Romans were among the first to discover that eggs could make liquids thicker. This was a big step in cooking.
During the Middle Ages, the first custard pies that look like what we eat today started to appear. Back then, custards were mostly used as fillings for pies, pastries, and tarts. Both Europe and Asia had recipes that included these creamy fillings. The word "custard" actually comes from "crustade," which means a tart with a crust. After the 16th century, people began making custards as stand-alone dishes, not just as fillings.
Today, custards are still used as fillings in pies and tarts. They are also enjoyed on their own as a dessert. A good custard pie should feel light and delicate, but still hold its shape well.
Making a Perfect Custard Pie
Custards can be made in two ways: by baking them in an oven or by stirring them on a stove. Most custard pie recipes call for baking. When eggs in a custard mixture are cooked, they change from a liquid to a solid.
It's important to cook custard at the right temperature. If the heat is too high, the eggs can curdle, which means they separate and become lumpy. This is not what you want in a smooth, creamy pie! You can prevent curdling by using lower temperatures and sometimes by stirring gently. Because of this, making a truly perfect custard pie can be a delicate process.
Custard Pies in Comedy
In the United Kingdom, when someone throws or pushes a pie into another person's face for fun, it's usually called a "custard pie." These pies are often used as a funny trick by clowns in circus shows. They are also used in harmless practical jokes. Sometimes, people even throw them at public figures as a way to show they disagree with them.
A UK Saturday morning TV show called Tiswas often featured custard pies. They even had a character named The Phantom Flan Flinger, a masked person who would "pie" people. There's even a real event called the World Custard Pie Throwing Championships! It takes place every year in the village of Coxheath in Kent, England.
