| (NC)-The old saying goes "easy as pie", so | | | | - - Avoid baking your holiday pie with your |
| why are so many of us reluctant to try baking | | | | turkey or ham. Pies require a higher |
| our own? Most of us just don't have the time | | | | temperature, so try to bake your pies the |
| to spend hours shopping for ingredients, | | | | night before. |
| making the pastry from scratch and preparing | | | | |
| the filling, especially during the holidays. | | | | - - For a golden brown crust, brush the top |
| | | | of the pie with milk or egg before you put it |
| Some recognized brand names are making it | | | | in the oven. (To avoid burning, be careful |
| easy. You can now get, for example, two lines | | | | not to brush the crimped edge of the crust.) |
| of frozen, unbaked pies - Oven Fresh and the | | | | |
| Signature Selections by Sara Lee - that are | | | | - - To keep edges from burning, place |
| ready to pop into the oven. Here are some | | | | aluminum foil strips around the edges of the |
| additional hints from Sara Lee for baking all | | | | pie prior to baking. Remove foil for the last |
| kinds of pies: | | | | 15 minutes. |
| | | | |
| - - If you make pumpkin pie, watch it | | | | - - For a high-gloss finish, brush apricot |
| carefully. When properly baked, the outer | | | | preserves on top of your pie just after |
| edges of the filling will be firmly set and | | | | baking. |
| slightly brown. The four- to six-inch centre | | | | |
| circle should have a soft set and shake like | | | | - - Always preheat the oven for about 15 |
| gelatine. | | | | minutes at 350º to 375º F, depending on |
| | | | your oven. |