A reader and friend asks, What is a “Pie Bird”?
Pie Birds date back to quaint Victorian times and are used when baking pies, to prevent the pie filling from boiling over into your oven.
Made of ceramic, these bird-shaped devices act as a clever vent, allowing the steam created from the fruit or other filling to escape from inside the pie.
They also support the pastry crust in the center of the pie so it does not sink in the middle.
“Pie Bird” • digital illustration – Lisa Rivas © 2008
To Use the Pie Bird:
First, line the pie dish with pastry, placing the “bird” in the center.
Pour the filling around the pie bird. Cut a hole in your pastry top
and place it on top of the pie, allowing the pie bird to stick out of
the hole. Pinch the crust around the bird’s shoulder, allowing the head
to stick through the pastry.
Happy baking!
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch,
you must first create the universe.
Carl Sagan
How incredibly wonderful…
Hi, Lisa, I love your blog! It’s nice to see your paintings and illustrations. Love the Pie Bird…and all of your other images, too! Looking forward to seeing more. Beautiful!
Lisa,
Blog looks wonderful and so interesting. In all my years in Ceramics, I have never heard of a “pie bird”. Thanks for the new information.
Delia
Cool, but must admit I had never heard of a pie bird either. Guess that you are never to old to learn.
pie birds are superb! i bought one ages ago in scotland and i treasure it so much (sadly they are virtually unknown where i live now) … nice illo 🙂
How cool! Oh, I must go seek one out. That is an excellent idea, and a really enchanting picture. Digital this time, eh? Goodness, Lisa, is there anything you cannot do?!
I love your pie bird picture. I actually have a couple of pie birds. I have a friend that collects old ones. She bakes pies. I don’t. I just like the birds.
SO pretty, and what an original idea!
There’s something I did not know. I had never heard of a pie bird. Yours is beautiful! I wonder if they all look as nice!
Add me to the list of never heard of a pie bird but what a wonderful concept. Beautiful illo as always.
This is so sweet and so totally well composed…Art..words..info…the complete package Lisa…You inspire me so! 🙂
This is unique and beautiful 🙂
Cute cute illustration and happy thoughts.
Thanks Lisa!!!
Hey Lisa, you’ve done it again with this wonderful design. I really love the color palette too. Fantastic!!!
When the pie was opened the birds began to sing….
Brilliant, informative post!
The colors are so subtle and lovely, I love how the music is flowers! Simply darling!
I love it! I have a pie bird collection!!!
In all my years of cooking and baking, I’ve never used the pie bird–but am charmed by the idea of it.
so clever, especially in a chicken pot pie.
thanks for sharing; love your images. Nancy
So sweet! I keep talking myself out of getting a pie bird. I do not need more stuff. 🙂
So pretty! Those Victorians sure knew how to make all kinds of gadgets, and they made them so ornately!
I love the tones, beautiful!