Scotch pie facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Mutton pie, shell pie, mince pie, football pie |
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| Type | Meat pie |
| Place of origin | Scotland |
| Serving temperature | Hot or Cold |
| Main ingredients | Mutton or other meat, hot water crust pastry |
A Scotch pie is a tasty, small meat pie. It has two crusts and is filled with minced meat. Usually, this meat is mutton (lamb meat) or haggis. Sometimes people call it a mutton pie or a shell pie. You might also hear it called a mince pie, but that name can be confusing.
Scotch pies are thought to come from Scotland. In Scotland, people often just call them "a pie." You can find them in other parts of the United Kingdom and all over Canada. They are often sold at football (soccer) games. People traditionally eat them with a drink called Bovril. This is why they are sometimes called football pies.
Contents
What's Inside a Scotch Pie?
The traditional filling for a Scotch pie is mutton. This meat is often spiced up with pepper and other ingredients. The outside of the pie is made from a special kind of pastry. It's called hot water crust pastry.
Each pie maker has their own secret recipe. They keep the exact spices and amounts a secret. This helps stop others from copying their delicious pies.
How Scotch Pies Are Made
Scotch pies are baked in a round, straight-sided tin. These tins are usually about 8 centimeters (about 3 inches) wide. They are also about 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) high.
The top crust of the pie is soft. It is placed about 1 centimeter lower than the rim of the tin. This creates a space on top. You can add yummy toppings to this space. Popular toppings include mashed potatoes, baked beans, brown sauce, gravy, or even an egg.
How to Enjoy a Scotch Pie
Scotch pies are often served hot. You can buy them at take-away restaurants and bakeries. They are also popular at outdoor events.
The crust of the pie is quite firm. This means you can hold it in your hand and eat it without any wrapping. There is usually a small round hole in the middle of the top crust. This hole is about 7.5 millimeters (about 0.3 inches) wide.
World Scotch Pie Championship
Since 1999, there has been a special competition. It's called the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards. Scottish Bakers, a group for bakers, organizes it every year.
The person who wins the Scotch pie part of the competition is named the World Champion. It's a big deal for pie makers!
