Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (2024)


Pork Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (2)

Published on June 9th, 2012 | by Gareth

14

Earlier this week I paid a short visit to Canberra, at 9 degrees C it was pretty chilly. The return trip to Sydney by car wasn’t much better as we hit the oncoming weather bomb complete with New Zealand style sideways rain and gale force winds.
It’s the type of weather that reminds me of autumn in England (or sometimes even summer). Strange though it may seem I used to enjoy going out for a hike or even playing a game of rugby in this type of fierce weather. I think it was mainly because it made the hot shower and après drenching food and beers all the better. Aside from hearty nosh the other thing that I like about late autumn, (or is it winter now?) is the fact that apples and onions are at their best.

As a Brit it pains me to admit but at the same time pleases me that Australian apples are among the finest I have ever tasted. Aussie apple fact that you may not know: the Granny Smith apple originated in Australia, being first cultivated by Mary Ann Smith in the late 1860’s. The Granny Smith’s sharp, crisp and tangy flesh, make it ideal for cooking. Of course the obvious conclusion when thinking about the combination of apples, winter and hearty food is probably an apple crumble. However, today I want to share a lesser known dish from the mother land, fidget (or fidgety) pie. This unusually named pie originates around Derbyshire and Shropshire, in the middle of the country. The origins of the odd sounding name seem to have come from the fact that it originally was fitched, which means five sided in Anglo-Saxon. The key ingredients are apples, onions and ham, bacon or gammon. Like the Cornish pasty it was the food of the workers and popular in the fields at harvest time. It also happens to be delicious.

Prep time: 25 mins

Cooking time: 30-35 mins

Feeds 4-5

Crisp and sharp granny smiths

Ingredients

  • 20cm diameter x 6cm deep spring loaded cake tin.
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cubed (1cm cubes).
  • 1 large brown onion, diced.
  • 1 medium size potato peeled and diced (King Edward/Maris Piper variety are perfect).
  • 300g bacon/ham or gammon, I used big chunks of ham which most good butchers sell as off cuts.
  • 1 tsp dried or fresh sage.
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard.
  • 50g butter.
  • 150ml dry cider, (alternatively use beef or vegetable stock).
  • 3 tsps of full cream to thicken the sauce (alternatively use a tsp of cornflour).
  • Shortcrust pastry buy or to make: 300g plain flour, 150g butter, pinch salt, 100-150ml iced cold water.

An apple a day

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 190 degrees.
  • Make the pastry, watch my how to make pastry video:
    • Cube the butter and add to a food processor along with the flour and salt. Blend for 25 seconds until a breadcrumb texture.
    • Pour the mix into a bowl, form a well in the middle and pour in about 1/3 of the water and gently mix with your fingers.
    • Keep adding the water until the mix begins to stick together.
    • Form a rough ball with your fingers, wrap in glad wrap and refrigerate for 20 mins.
    • Remove from the fridge and roll out on a floured surface with a rolling pin until it is about ½ cm thick.
    • Line the cake tin (don’t forget to grease the tin first) with the pastry. Trim the excess from the edges. Lay baking parchment in the tin on top of the pastry and fill with baking beans to weight it down.
    • Blind bake for 12 minutes, remove the baking beans and parchment and bake for a further 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
    • Roll out the excess pastry you trimmed off to make a lid for the pie.
  • Melt the 50g of butter in a frying pan and fry the onions and potato over a medium heat for 5 mins.
  • Add the ham, fry until sealed and golden brown at the edges.

Fry the onions, potato and apple in the pan

Ham in the pan

  • Add the apple and fry for a further two minutes.
  • Remove the potato, onion, ham and apple form the pan and set aside.
  • Deglaze the pan with the cider, reduce for 5 minutes then add the sage and mustard, reduce for a further three minutes.
  • Stir in the cream or cornflour to thicken the sauce.
  • Add the apples, onion, potato and ham to the sauce and stir.
  • Pour the pie filling into the pastry case. Add the lid and brush with milk or glaze with a beaten egg. If you want to minimise the pastry, use mash potato instead of pastry for a pie top.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes.
  • Serve hot with mushy peas or cold for a picnic with apple and rhubarb chutney.

Serve with a glass of cider.

A slice of heaven?

Tags: Apples, Pie


About the Author

Gareth Englishman in Sydney loves a whisky, pies and all things savoury. Digital Marketer by day, cook the rest of the time. Amateur writer, photographer & aspiring anthropologists.


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14 Responses to Fidget Pie

  1. Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (14)Nina says:

    June 9, 2012 at 8:51 pm

    This was amazing, the pastry was melt in the mouth and the combination of flavours in the filing was superb!!

    Reply

    • Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (15)Gareth says:

      June 10, 2012 at 11:53 am

      Glad you liked, pork, apple and onion are such good partners.

      Reply

  2. June 10, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    What a fabulous looking pie Gareth! And I have never heard of a Fidget pie so I was really intrigued! 😀 A nice variation as I always see apples used in sweet pies Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (17)

    Reply

    • Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (18)Gareth says:

      June 11, 2012 at 7:53 pm

      Thanks Lorraine, the name is a bit unusual and I like Helens alternative explanation, hahaha.

      Reply

  3. June 10, 2012 at 10:38 pm

    Haha I’m glad you provided the theory behind the name, although I can just imagine it could also referred to the pain of having to wait until the pie cooled until you could eat it! Pies are awesome in winter but I also reckon this would make a great pie for a picnic when the weather gets warmer.

    • Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (20)Gareth says:

      June 11, 2012 at 7:49 pm

      Thanks Helen, I can testify that it certainly tastes good cold as well. Nice with chutney.

      Reply

  4. June 14, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    Firstly, love the new look and feel Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (22) Pie look so delicious and perfect for this miserable weather we are having at the moment. Oh hang on, it’s just winter :p

    Reply

    • Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (23)Gareth says:

      June 14, 2012 at 4:22 pm

      Thanks for the encouraging feedback on the site and pie Sara. Funny thing about the weather, today I started out making a beef stew and dumplings Gaelic style in preparation for more dreary rain and the sun makes an appearance. Such a beautiful day.

      Reply

  5. Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (24)Stephen says:

    October 10, 2012 at 2:06 am

    I live in Staffordshire, between Derbyshire and Shropshire and the tradition of making these pies has been revived in recent years. They are very popular at National Trust properties in the region and there is even an annual competition for bakers at, I think, Market Drayton. I like the idea here of sauteeing the filling ingredients together first. When par-boiled, the filling can be a bit bland and dense in parts, so I reckon this is going to be a real improvement. Also boiling down the cider is bound to concentrate and enhance the flavour.

    Reply

    • Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (25)Gareth says:

      October 10, 2012 at 6:14 pm

      Thanks for sharing the tip about the reduction of the cider vinegar. My Aunt lives in Mickleover Derbyshire so pleased to hear fidgety pie is enjoying some love!

      Reply

  6. Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (26)margaret says:

    March 12, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Looks delicious, I shall be expecting to taste it during my forthcoming visit.

    M

    Reply

    • Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (27)Gareth says:

      March 16, 2013 at 12:42 pm

      Thanks Mags, we can certainly do that.

      Reply

  7. February 17, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Wow, that looks insanely good! This is definitely a make on a cold and rainy day recipe!

    Reply

    • Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (29)Gareth says:

      February 18, 2014 at 2:09 pm

      Thanks Sophie, get into it, it’s a relatively simple recipe.

      Reply

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Traditional fidget pie recipe with granny smiths apples (2024)

FAQs

What is fidget pie made of? ›

Shropshire fidget pie is a hearty, traditional British bake made with gammon, cooking apples, onions and potatoes. No one knows exactly where fidget (or fidgety) pie comes from, but there are different versions of it in most of the counties around The Midlands.

Are Granny Smith apples good for pies? ›

Granny Smith.

Firm and very tart, this variety is the go-to for many when it comes to pie because it keeps its shape extremely well. But it isn't exactly known for its flavor, so Granny Smiths are best used in conjunction with sweeter and/or more flavorful apples.

What are the three best apples for apple pie? ›

If you prioritize a more puckery pie, use mostly Granny Smiths and toss in a Honeycrisp and a Jonagold. If you like your apples to slump and soften, use mostly Golden Delicious with a Braeburn thrown in.

Do I need to peel my apples for apple pie? ›

Peeled apples will give you a delicately soft pie with no tough surprises, but some people argue that you lose the apple's nutritional value once the peel is removed. Making sure you are using the correct apples – peeled or unpeeled – is a more important part of crafting the perfect apple pie.

Why is it called fidget pie? ›

The name “fidget” is thought to have derived from its smell when cooking, which was similar to that of a polecat, a skunk-like animal called a “fitchett” in the local dialect, or from the term “fitched,” meaning five-sided, which was said to be the original shape of the pie.

Are fidgets made for ADHD? ›

Fidget toys can help some people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but their effectiveness varies depending on the individual and the type of ADHD they have. A fidget toy is a small, handheld object that a person can fiddle with to provide an outlet for restless energy and nervousness.

What is the best use of a Granny Smith apple? ›

Bakers use Granny Smith apples for pie fillings and other preparations because they can withstand high heat without turning to mush. After baking, Granny Smith apples are sweet, with their acidity cooled and caramelized into sugars.

Can I use Granny Smith apples instead of cooking apples? ›

Granny Smith apples are one of the most versatile apples you can buy. Their sweet-tart flavor and crisp texture make them an apple that is as wonderful for cooking and baking as it is to eat out of hand. It is tart enough to use in savory applications, but with enough sweetness to shine in baking.

Are Granny Smith apples better than Honeycrisp for apple pie? ›

Granny Smith

Granny Smiths have all the same qualities as Honeycrisps: juicy, crisp and great for baking. The only difference is that Granny Smiths are as tart as a Honeycrisps are sweet. You may need a bit more sugar in the mix when making a filling with Granny Smith apples.

What kind of apples does mcdonalds use for their pies? ›

So you can put away your Granny Smiths and Red Delicious if you think you can just whip up McDonald's signature dessert at home. Instead, Mickey D's makes their pies with six different types of apples — Jonagold, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Gala, Rome, and Ida Red, all of which are homegrown in the U.S.

What is the number one apple for pie? ›

Granny Smith apples are considered by many to be the "pie apples." They are known for their snappy tartness and ability to maintain their shape and texture when cooked. These are, no doubt, a terrific choice for apple pie — especially when combined with a sweeter, softer apple like Braeberns or Crispins.

What is it called when apples turn brown? ›

This unappetizing phenomenon is actually due to a chain of biochemical reactions known as “enzymatic browning.” When an apple is injured (or cut into pieces), the plant tissue is exposed to oxygen. This triggers an enzyme known as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) to—wait for it—oxidize polyphenols in the apple's flesh.

Why are my apples mushy in my pie? ›

Avoid using overripe apples to prevent your pie from becoming mushy and wet. Southern Living says choosing the perfect apple variety will be for naught if the fruit is overripe. Your pie will turn out very mushy and lack the flavor apple pie is known for.

Why is my apple pie watery? ›

One of the chief reasons bakers end up with apple soup under the crust is failure to bake their pie long enough. There's almost no such thing as over-baking an apple pie; I've baked apple pies for 2 hours and longer, and they turn out just fine.

Why did my apple pie turn into applesauce? ›

Softer apples like Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, or Macintosh break down too much in the heat of the oven, basically turning into applesauce. So avoid those, and opt for a variety that's firm and crisp like Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp. They'll turn velvety soft while still retaining their shape.

What materials are used to make fidget toys? ›

Wood craft sticks, plastic beads, and pipe cleaners are all inexpensive when you buy them in bulk. Find a few rolls of pretty washi tape, and you're all set to make these easy DIY fidget toys!

What are McDonald's pies made out of? ›

McDonald's Baked Apple Pie recipe features 100% American-grown apples, and a lattice crust baked to perfection and topped with sprinkled sugar.

What is inside a Clarks pie? ›

The traditional Clark's Pie is famous for it's pastry, which is thick enough to eat without a foil tray. Made with the same ingredients as it was first made over a hundred years ago: beef, ox kidneys, potatoes, onions and our special gravy.

What material are pop it toys made of? ›

Made of silicone, Pop It fidget toys feature bubbles that can be poked. These sensory toys are simple and fun to use. Research shows they may reduce stress and improve focus and fine motor control.

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