Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

By Colleen Walsh Fong

Have you ever heard the expression, “as American as apple pie?” Well, it turns out there is good reason for the saying. According to a recent survey by Schwan’s, the makers of the Mrs. Smith Dessert brands, apple pie is America’s favorite. The survey results revealed America’s top 10 pies to be:

• Apple
• Pumpkin
• Chocolate Cream
• Cherry
• Apple Crumb
• Pecan
• Lemon Meringue
• Blueberry
• Key Lime
• Peach

Since today is National Pie Day it stands to reason that many Americans will celebrate with apple pie. Although I live by the motto, “If it doesn’t have chocolate don’t waste my time,” I enjoy a good fruit pie, too. A recipe for the blueberry pie shown to the right appears in Easy Weekly Meals for Moms on the Go.

When most of us think of pie, we think of desserts. But savory pies can be delicious, too. After all, who doesn’t love a good quiche, tasty chicken pot pie, or a gooey, cheesy pizza? Quick and easy recipes for all of those dishes, and shepherds’ pie, too, can be found in Easy Weekly Meals smart cookbooks.

There are historical grounds for us to enjoy both. Evidence found in Egyptian tombs shows the first pies were probably sweet “galettes” made with a crust of ground grains like oats, barley, or rye wrapped around honey. But a recipe for a chicken pie was found on a tablet written before 2000 BC in Mesopotamia. As usual the ancient Greeks and Romans got in on a good thing, too. Roman gourmet Marcus Gavius Apicius is believed to have been a lover of pies. They are mentioned in the 4th century cookbook, Apicius, which is generally thought to have been named for him.

Do you prefer sweet or savory pies? Or do you love both types? I’m celebrating National Pie Day with a slice of quiche for breakfast, chicken pot pie for lunch, and some pizza for dinner. And for dessert? I’m grabbing all the gusto and serving apple pie with double dark chocolate ice cream a la mode.

Happy National Pie Day!

All Photos Courtesy of Easy Weekly Meals