Bubby's Homemade Pies [Hardcover]

Ronald M. Silver (Author), Jen Bervin (Author), Elizabeth Zechel (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2007

"One of my fondest childhood memories is of my aunt's pies cooling on the window sill, while father sat with his deputy . . . wait . . . that might be Opie Taylor. If you love pie, and I can only assume you do, Bubby's pies are the best. I'm eating one right now."
--Jon Stewart

"I almost ate the book! If my bubby made pies like this, I'd weigh 400 pounds."
--Billy Crystal

"If a pie cooling in a country breeze is your idea of baking nirvana, with its golden crust and juicy filling beckoning, then the delightful recipes in Bubby's Homemade Pies will guide you toward that goal and, perhaps, initiate the appearance of 'Pie of the Month' at your house. Now wouldn't that be a sweet and welcoming sight?"
--Lisa Yockelson, award-winning author of Baking by Flavor and ChocolateChocolate

"My dad always says, 'Save your fork, there's pie!'"
--Kate Douglass, owner of The Spotted Pig

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bubby's, in New York City, known for its comfort food, began simply in 1990 with pie. Owner Silver, who was trying to find a way to support his writing habit, started a wholesale pie business (which later morphed into two restaurants). This publication celebrates the once-humble dessert that helped launch the popular TriBeCa and (later) Brooklyn outposts. Silver and coauthor Bervin strike a balance with recipes that are doable for the new baker and dynamic enough for the experienced pie maker. A primer on crusts covers flaky, sweet crumb and savory, and is accompanied by how-to illustrations. The authors also prime readers on fruit pies before launching into chapters including cream and custard pies and savory pies. In addition, seasonal pie chapters and recipes for deep-dish desserts (such as buckles, crisps and cobblers), dumplings and sauces fill the collection. The majority of pies are classics such as Blackberry Pie and Coconut Custard, but the inventive (Fried Apple-Whiskey Pies and Paella Pie) also have a presence. Ask Bubby highlighted boxes offer solutions for common preparation problems, while concise, well-written headnotes provide useful information and inspiration. This carefully compiled text addresses all experience levels as well as classic and contemporary pies, giving it a broad appeal. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Bubby's, in New York City, known for its comfort food, began simply in 1990 with pie. Owner Silver, who was trying to find a way to support his writing habit, started a wholesale pie business (which later morphed into two restaurants). This publication celebrates the once-humble dessert that helped launch the popular TriBeCa and (later) Brooklyn outposts. Silver and coauthor Bervin strike a balance with recipes that are doable for the new baker and dynamic enough for the experienced pie maker. A primer on crusts covers flaky, sweet crumb and savory, and is accompanied by how-to illustrations. The authors also prime readers on fruit pies before launching into chapters including cream and custard pies and savory pies. In addition, seasonal pie chapters and recipes for deep-dish desserts (such as buckles, crisps and cobblers), dumplings and sauces fill the collection. The majority of pies are classics such as Blackberry Pie and Coconut Custard, but the inventive (Fried Apple-Whiskey Pies and Paella Pie) also have a presence. "Ask Bubby" highlighted boxes offer solutions for common preparation problems, while concise, well-written headnotes provide useful information and inspiration. This carefully compiled text addresses all experience levels as well as classic and contemporary pies, giving it a broad appeal. (Aug.) (Publishers Weekly, May 7, 2007)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (August 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764576348
• ISBN-13: 978-0764576348
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Baking > Pies

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Happiness on every page..., September 14, 2007

By 

John Dough (Jersey City, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bubby's Homemade Pies (Hardcover)

What simpler comfort and happiness than pie? I've used a lot of cookbooks (I own over 100) and what the best all have in common:

1)Instructions so clear, so simple--you want to dive right in. The authors have anticipated and solved all problems you could face. Just do what they say and you'll be an instant success.

2)Predictable results--I made 10 peach cobblers over Labor Day weekend and all were world-class, the best ones I've ever had.

3)Careful attention to basic techniques makes this a great book for beginners and a thoughtful, almost meditative exercise for experts. All you need to know about baking--indeed about cooking--is revealed in baking pie crust. It's a never-ending exercise in reaching elusive perfection, but you get closer each time.

Silver and Bervin give nothing away to James Beard and Alice Waters's best work on all these points! You'll congratulate yourself and buy many copies for your friends, I promise.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The finest pies in America, September 4, 2007

By 

C. Harris (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bubby's Homemade Pies (Hardcover)

I've been buying pies at Bubby's since they opened their doors. And for a very good reason: they make the best tasting pies I've ever eaten. Whenever I visit relatives or friends a Bubby's pie is a required house gift (I'm frequently told which variety and how many).
So, when Bubby is prepared to teach me how to do it, I pay attention.
The first pie I made was the blueberry peach. Simple, easy-to-follow directions and fun descriptions lightened the fear factor. It was great. The next pie was Brandon's steak and guinness pie. It was every bit as good as Bubby's own, and I made it myself.
My only concern is, now that I can make these incredible pies myself, what will happen to Bubby's?
If you love pie and you can't get to Bubby's, BUY this book!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Go home and start baking!, September 17, 2007

By 

C. Veda "pie enthusiast" (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bubby's Homemade Pies (Hardcover)

I love this book! I think it would be great for bakers of all levels of experience. I'm a seasoned pie baker, but this book definitely inspired me to try recipes outside of my comfort zone, and I had great results. The instructions are clear, easy to follow, and they think of everything ahead of time so you aren't stuck in the middle of a recipe with a sudden daunting task. And the bonus? You get to have Bubby's Pies at home!! This is a book everyone should have in their kitchen.