Custard Pie

A custard pie is a unique pie dish made by adding custard mixture to a partly cooked or uncooked pie crust and then, baking it. The custard mixture consists of milk, eggs, salt, sugar and vanilla extract. Examples of this kind of pie are lemon meringue, pumpkin pie, pecan pie and cheesecake. It is different from a cream pie because in a cream pie the custard is poured on a pre-cooked pie. The term custard refers to a mixture of milk or cream and egg yolk.

History of Custards and Custard Pies

The binding property of eggs was first discovered by the ancient Romans. Custard pie is known to have been prepared sometime during the middle ages. Initially, the term "custard" only connoted the custard used for pastry or tart fillings, and many such recipes existed in Europe and Asia. Later on, after the 16^th century, recipes for cooked foods using custard as an ingredient came up.

A form of custard consisting of corn starch as a thickener was introduced by an English chemist named Alfred Bird in 1837. It was popularly called ‘Bird’s Custard’. The absence of eggs in it prevented the risk of curdling of the food, and this was the reason for its popularity.

Later on, custards were marketed aggressively in North America for their variety of health benefits including those for mentally challenged invalids. Instant custards and puddings were also introduced, and custards were used as fillings in a variety of foods as well as for preparing custard pies.

Custard Pie Recipe Overview

A custard pie recipe calls for a very delicate and careful preparation, and it can be prepared by baking in an oven or cooking on a stove. However, since over-heating may cause curdling of the eggs, baking is the most preferred method. Using lower temperatures and frequent stirring are effective ways to prevent curdling. Following is a brief overview of a custard pie recipe-

Ingredients: Ingredients required for preparing the custard pie include lightly beaten eggs, granulated sugar, salt, milk, vanilla, nutmeg and a pie crust.

Method of Preparation: For preparing the pie, salt, sugar, milk, vanilla and eggs are mixed thoroughly. The mixture is poured into an uncooked pie shell and nutmeg is sprinkled generously on it. The pie is baked till firm, and till a knife inserted into it comes out clean.

Trivia

• Custard pies are often used for comic scenes in movies or circuses where people throw them at each others’ faces. Beach Party, Laurel and Hardy's Battle of the Century, Smashing Time and The Great Race are some examples of such movies.

• Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft Corporation, was once filmed being struck in the face with a custard pie. The attackers, who called themselves ‘pie terrorists’ were fined after the incident.

• A village in Kent, England, holds the ‘World Custard Pie Throwing Championship’ every year.