September 23rd is National Great American Pot Pie Day, celebrating a favorite American comfort food. Warm up the home with a toasty meal of pot pies to celebrate!
Pot pie (also spelled potpie) is a misappropriated name. Originally, “pot pie” referred to a crustless mixture of meat pie ingredients and noodles, stewed in a pot on the stove top. Over time, the term became used to designate a meat pie with conventional crusts, baked in the oven in a deep pie plate or casserole dish.
Meat pies likely date back to the milling of flour in ancient times, but before the invention of pie plates, which came many centuries later. Very thick crusts were used as baking vessels (but were not eaten, due to the high proportion of salt required to stiffen the crust). Meat pies in large vessels made of crust were popular banquet fare during the Roman Empire, as anyone who has seen Fellini Satyricon can attest. By the 16th century, the English gentry revived the ancient custom of meat pies. Venison was the meat of choice. The recipe crossed the pond to America, where it became as American as…pot pie! The pot pie and frozen food company, Marie Callender’s, created National Great American Pot Pie Day in 2002.
The pot pie can be baked without a bottom crust but with a conventional top crust or a biscuit topping (the dough is dropped onto the top), like a cobbler. Personally, we prefer a crisp biscuit to a crust. While most people immediately think of chicken pot pie, pot pies are made today from any type of meat, poultry, fish or seafood, as well as vegetarian varieties. If you have venison, by all means enjoy a historic venison pot pie. Popular veggies include potatoes, carrots, green beans, and peas. Finally, the gravy and seasonings make the pies irresistible. When they begin heating up in the oven, the family knows when dinner is ready!
This crowd-pleaser draws families together. During the cooler days, a meal of pot pie easily uses up vegetables from the garden and leftovers. During the crisper evenings, gather friends and family around the table. Pot pies are also great re-heated from frozen after a long day at work, and pot pies can be made to serve individually or one large pie. Either way, the aroma fills the home and warms the heart.
There are several ways to celebrate this foodie holiday. Invite the family to help make homemade pot pies. Go out to eat and order one from your favorite country restaurant. Or, pick up some frozen pot pies at the grocery store. The broad selection will satisfy everyone. Then enjoy everyone’s company and share your evening by using #GreatAmericanPotPieDay to post on social media.
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