Desserts > Pies

Chinese Five Spice Pie Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Special Equipment Needed:
- 9-inch pie plate
- Rolling pin
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Fork
- Pastry brush

Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add cold water, stirring with a fork until dough forms a ball.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Place dough in pie plate and trim edges.
5. In a medium bowl, combine five-spice powder, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. In a separate bowl, beat eggs until light and fluffy. Add honey, walnuts, raisins, and cranberries.
7. Pour egg mixture into the five-spice mixture and stir until combined.
8. Pour filling into the prepared pie crust.
9. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Let cool before serving.

Time:
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Temperature: 375°F
Serving Size: 8

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 350
Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 5g

Substitutions for Ingredients:
- Vegetable shortening can be substituted with butter or margarine.
- Brown sugar can be substituted with white sugar.
- Walnuts can be substituted with pecans or almonds.
- Raisins can be substituted with dried cherries or apricots.
- Dried cranberries can be substituted with dried blueberries.

Variations:
- For a sweeter pie, add 1/4 cup of white sugar to the five-spice mixture.
- For a spicier pie, add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper to the five-spice mixture.
- For a nuttier pie, add 1/4 cup of chopped peanuts to the filling.
- For a fruity pie, add 1/4 cup of chopped apples or pears to the filling.

Tips and Tricks:
- For a flaky crust, use cold water and cold shortening.
- For a crispier crust, brush the top of the crust with an egg wash before baking.
- For a richer flavor, use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar.

Storage Instructions:
Store the pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheating Instructions:
Reheat the pie in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or until heated through.

Presentation Ideas:
- Serve the pie with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.
- Sprinkle the top of the pie with chopped nuts or dried fruit.

Garnishes:
- Chopped nuts
- Dried fruit
- Whipped cream
- Ice cream

Pairings:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Sweetened whipped cream
- Fresh fruit
- Caramel sauce

Suggested Side Dishes:
- Roasted vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
- Green salad
- Fruit salad

Troubleshooting Advice:
- If the crust is too dry, add a tablespoon of cold water to the dough.
- If the crust is too wet, add a tablespoon of flour to the dough.
- If the crust is too tough, add a tablespoon of butter to the dough.

Food Safety Advice:
- Store the pie in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Do not leave the pie out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Food History:
Chinese five-spice powder is a blend of spices that originated in China and is used in many Chinese dishes. It is made with a combination of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel.

Flavor Profiles:
This pie has a sweet and spicy flavor with notes of cinnamon, star anise, and cloves.

Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Serve the pie with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.
- Serve the pie with a side of fresh fruit.

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Region: Chinese

Taste: Spicy, Sweet, Savory, Aromatic, Fragrant