You will need:
Put the damsons into a pan with a spoonful of sugar and a little water and heat them gently so they start to soften. While they are cooking, peel and dice the pears and then add them to the damsons. You want to keep them on a heat where the fruit makes gentle pfft pfft noises as it cooks, lid on, for about 20 minutes. You might need to add a little more water if the fruit starts to catch. After 20 minutes give the fruit a little squidge with a masher to puree it a little, keep a few lumps though. Taste it and add more sugar if you think it needs it. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, you don’t want much moisture left in the pan.
While the fruit is cooking, mix the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs and then add drops of cold water until it forms a dough. Put the dough in to the fridge for half an hour. I wasn’t sure whether to blind bake the pastry or not as I didn’t want a soggy bottom (who does?) but I took a risk with this pie and did not blind bake it.
When the fruit is cool, put it into the pastry case. Then, quickly but bravely flip the lattice on top of the pie. Hesitation at this point will only increase any nervousness and so be bold, be fearless and commit to the flipping otherwise you might overshoot your pie and end up with your beautifully arranged lattice in a tangle. Press the edges of the lattice in to the edges of the pastry and remove any excess. Give the pastry a quick eggy wash and then put it into the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.
I like to think of this lattice pie as a diet pie; it’s full of fruit and because the top is barely even half covered in pastry it’s half the calories! At least, that’s what I convinced myself as I reached for the second slice. I was a little concerned about using the under ripe pears in this dish but it actually turned out to be a stroke of genius. It meant that the pears, despite the stewing, mashing and baking, kept their shape and slight crunch which added another dimension to the texture of the pie.
For something that I had always wanted to try that had a bit of a reputation for being difficult I was pretty impressed. I knew I wanted to use damsons and pears together and making pastry (after much practice) is now a doddle. This pie even remained crisp and unsoggy-bottomed overnight in the fridge and was enjoyed as part of a picnic the next day. Perhaps not absolutely perfect it was exactly what I wanted it to be.
Looks wonderful this pie. I like its rustic look and the fruit you have used.
Very autumnal looking. I bet it would be lovely with some cream.
This is how the Italian pies look like! We call them ‘crostate’. I’ve tried several times to bake crostate but I’ve never been successful. Believe me this pie looks WONDERFUL (WARM colours too).
Very intrigued by damsons!!!Have to look for them :)The lattice pie looks delish!Perfect for this weather!!Wish I could taste it 🙂
I beg to differ: Damsons should not be rock-hard if they are properly ripe – certainly not like sloes! They make fantastic jam too. Your tart is worthy of the Great British Bakeoff!
This looks lovely…I’m am indeed impressed! Love the sound of those Damosons and Pears together and it looks really striking with the lattice. Pastry lattice is also on my too make list…I must get round to trying it! 🙂
Caroline, it is fantastic! I love-love-love it! There’s never too much pie for me… 🙂
it looks so lovely, delicious, and rustic – i love it!
I always wanted..and still want.. to make many things! 🙂
Yous pie looks so yummy! the color is just great!
What a gorgeous looking pie. I can just imagine how delicious it tastes.
This looks beautiful 🙂 I haven’t made a pie like this before I really want to try it now!
This pie looks beautiful my friend, and I bet tastes just as gorgeous 🙂
Cheers
CCU
A diet pie…. yes… my excuse to make myself one of these! Might use strawberries instead as I’ve got so many at the moment. Thanks! Great pictures too =D
Nice combination of fruits, sounds delicious!
Caroline, this fruit pie looks so gorgeous, love the beautiful red color! I read on Twitter you;re off to a holiday? Have a great one!
dont think i’ve seen damsons here and the look likr grapes in the picture! taht’s a pretty pie, i think i need to practise doing a lattice pie!
What a glorious colour damsons create. I love them, no access to a tree now, our neighbours who used to let me have all of theirs moved on and the new ones are not so generous.
What perfectly complementary fruits – and a gorgeous pie!
Oh so scrumptious! Never had damsons but they look yummy!
I too have always wanted to make a lattice pie! This looks gorgeous – I love damsons but have never thought of combining with pears – inspired! Beautiful pie 🙂
This looks heavenly! And your pictures are wonderful 🙂
I’ve been in the uk for 3 years and I even work at a farmer’s market for god’s sake but I have yet to try a damson. I know, sacrilegious. this pie esp is making me feel really bad. will get myself a punnet soon as I’m back!
Great job! My first lattice pie I could not quite manage to weave the lattice, more layered it to it LOOKS woven! I’m sure this must have been delicious. Love a good pie, don’t you? Also love the shot of the pears! Have been reading my subscription to your blog on my phone (difficulties commenting on the phone though) so am finally looping back to comment.
I love the pear and damson combo. Damsons are a beautiful colour when cooked and a fruit that today isn’t so readily available, which is a shame. Great pie too:)
That lattice pie looks very delicious, especially with this beaming red colour!