Pie Party!

Several months ago, Corinne came up with a great idea for our next food-related event: a Pie Party. Sunday we turned that idea into reality and hosted our first pie party.

What exactly is a pie party? It's a potluck party where everyone brings a homemade pie. And what precisely is a pie? Wikipedia says:

A pie is a baked food, with a baked shell usually made of pastry dough that covers or completely contains a filling of fruit, meat, fish, vegetables, cheeses, creams, chocolate, custards, nuts, or other sweet or savory ingredients.

Homemade pies only!¹ People seemed generally excited about the party. We attribute that not only to the fact that everyone loves pie, but also that a certain anticipation could build knowing that a multitude of homemade pie awaited, but not knowing precisely how many or what kinds.

We had a total of 34 people at our party, including 7 kids, and 23 different types of pies (7 savory, 16 sweet). We thought we might be a little short on the savory pies, so I made sure to have prepped ingredients for 4 pizzas ready to go if needed (we ate 3). Each pie was labeled and laid out for all to see. The π (pi, get it?) sign was courtesy of Andrew.

Savory

• Caramelized Onion
  
• "Boy" Pie (egg, bacon, cheese)
  
• Tourtiere (French-Canadian Meat Pie)
  
• White Bean and Pesto Pizza
  
• Leek & Cheese Pie
  
• Chicken Pie
  
• Cottage Pie

Sweet

• Peanut Butter & Chocolate Pie
  
• Peanut Butter Pie
  
• Christine's Fruit Pie
  
• Bourbon Pecan Pie
  
• Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
  
• Pravin's Apple Pie
  
• Chocolate Mousse
  
• Lemon Custard Tart with Fruit
  
• Grape Pie (yes, grape)
  
• Peach Street
  
• Banana Creme Pie
  
• Vermont Maple-Walnut Cream Pie
  
• Frozen Margarita Pie
  
• Coconut Cream Pie
  
• Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
  
• Pumpkin Pie

Of particular note were the pies from the first-time pie makers, Simon and Leif. Leif's "Peach Street" was his interpretation of a rustic tart, and Simon's chicken pie was a family recipe. Simon apparently called his mother 5 times during the process to make sure he was doing it right. The pies (and homemade crust) turned out great!

And that's what a food party is all about: getting people to experiment with food and expand their culinary horizons, as well as enjoy good food with good friends.

- Mike (& Corinne)

¹ We did have at least one "cheater" who bought their pie. But for their own safety, we won't say who.