Life at No.22, Snapshots of Tauranga

Snapshots of Tauranga #36

Suzanne

Warmth and nostalgia are real feelings when viewing all those homely, brown objects screaming “Pick me” from the warmer. Most were scoffed at without a second thought. Sacrilege. Also, many more come accompanied by long stories.

The consumption of pies is part of our DNA, and I would go as far as to state that family stories shared through the generations include where the best pies used to be or, if you’re lucky enough, they still are. Nine times out of ten, the best polished vehicles have pastry flakes on the floor, which is a testament to the pull of the classic NZ pie, even for the drivers who have a mildly compromised BMI and the physique of a pregnant worm, before setting out on their gourmet journey.

I have heard numerous accounts of boys-only roadtrip comfort stops, not for the usual emptying of bladders but to stock up on a pie or two to stop the hunger from biting between breakfast and lunch. Pies were uncomplicated on these journeys, so the typical old mince pie with its perfect union of pastry and mince became one singing in harmony. Memorable in its ordinariness.

You can see who scoffed their pie the most, or the question should be who talked the most. Captured on an Aussie Roadtrip -2019. No images of eating a pie in NZ.

Over the years, I’ve indulged in a pie or two with other pie-loving eaters. It’s something to savour, and one bloke I know takes himself to his favourite pie haunts daily for the ultimate experience, no matter where his work takes him in the city. A tradie; need I say more?

During one of those pie-sharing experiences, I remember glancing over at him. With a clean surgical excision, he had managed to put a gob-size bite from a still-bagged peppered steak pie into his mouth and still manage a grin. Thinking of his culinary experience, I suggested that he slow down and savour the sensory experience of that simple pie pleasure.

As in life, not all pleasures are consistent, and it just happened that his pie, the pastry, had haemorrhaged and goop, the colour and consistency of sump sludge, was about to mess his already stained t-shirt.

It was, he decided, “a blardy dud”.

Then this thought, this pastry flake, “I read that in a perfect pie, the pastry and filling should be independently perfect – the buttery, flaky mouthfeel of the pastry and the mouthfeel of rich, unctuous filling. And the whole is more than the sum of its parts.”
Mouthfeel? Pretentious. Doesn’t unctuous mean greasy? Vomitus!

Unless I commit the worst cardinal sin and choose a vegetarian pie, it has been recorded in my past that pie connoisseurs ostracised me for doing so. Some of those in the inner circle have indulged in a two-animal pie with more pleasurable groans than were acceptable to the vegetarian pie eater.

So, when on a roadtrip or in the company of sophisticated and well-paid tradies, what pie do you fancy?

Unknown's avatar

Published by Suzanne

I'm a lover of creativity and movement, expressed through photography, words, travel and sports. . . . . . .

47 thoughts on “Snapshots of Tauranga #36”

  3. Well, my choice of pie these days is always vegetarian but I liked a good old Scotch pie when I was young. Mutton in a hot water crust case*. If one wished to be a gourmet one could fill the gap between the lid and the top of the sides with mash or beans. NOT gourmet is putting the pie into a bread roll and eating it as a sandwich. I was gobsmacked the first time I witnessed that.

    *There is a veggie version – macaroni cheese pie. Yes, honestly.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Talking of pie lids, I remember that as kids, we used to eat the lid and then the rest of the pie. Don’t ask me why, no logical reason. Yes, funnily enough, I haven’t heard of a macaroni cheese pie. Though haven’t been adventurous enough to dive into one. Haha, re the bread roll pie, something a keen kiwi lad would do 😉

      Like

      Reply

  4. This is a delightful glimpse into your lifestyle. Meat pies are rare in my part of the world, not that I’d turn one down, just nowhere to get one. In my college days I studied for one term at the University of Exeter and adored those pies. Fond memories.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You can tell a good bakery when a stream of tradies are lining up to fill a paper bag with a pie or two. I remember viewing the university during a visit to Exeter, a lovely part of the UK. I suppose a hamburger would be comparable to our pie? We obviously have numerous places that do hamburgers though not as popular as a pie for lunch.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. I’m reading this and smiling from ear to ear Suzanne. As I’m sure you know, a good ole Aussie road trip just isn’t the same without indulging in many pies in many different towns and bakeries. Your description of that peppered pie being gobbled down mid-grin reminds me of my hubby who’s known to do the same. “Slow down and savour it” is often my catch cry lol. My favourite? Pepper is right up there. Or a curry pie. Or a chicken and mushroom pie. Or … I think you get the idea! 😋😁

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I thought you would be smiling, Miriam. Been an Aussie lass 🙂 A pepper steak is Les’s favourite and I’ve been known to enjoy one too. Chicken and mushroom gets a tick. A good seafood one, though rarely done well so I now never buy them. At the end of the day, they fill you up more than a salad sandwich.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. Oh yes…a pie is indispensable when on a trip, and always available in their many forms over here. Sadly though Jack’s favourite, steak and kidney, cannot be found over here now. His second choice is pepper steak. Me? I now tend towards vegetarian, but a really good mince and mushroom always goes down well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Eating in the car would be a definite No No for me. I would hate the mess. Though it’s rare I would eat a pie anyway. That said, I am partial to the occasional apple crumble after Sunday lunch, if you can call it a pie.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to Life...One Big Adventure Cancel reply