Woven Lattices

Appears in

Published 2014

About

I make perpendicular woven lattices both open, with spaces between the strips, and closed, with the strips next to each other. The procedure is the same for both.

Lightly dust with flour a cardboard round or a tart tin base a couple of inches wider in diameter than the top of your pie.
Follow steps 1 and 2 in the diagonal lattice, arranging parallel strips on the cardboard, instead of the pie. If you want an open lattice, space the strips 1-2 inches apart; for a closed lattice, use twice as many strips and place them right next to one another.
Fold back every other strip at its midpoint .
Insert a perpendicular strip up against the folds.
Unfold the strips so that they cross over the perpendicular strip.
Fold back the strips that are underneath the perpendicular strip, positioning the folds 2.5-5cm from the perpendicular for an open lattice or leaving no space for a closed lattice.
Insert another perpendicular strip and unfold the strips to cross over it.
Repeat steps 6 and 7, until you reach the edge of the cardboard.
Turn the cardboard 180° and repeat steps 3-8 .
Chill the lattice for a couple of minutes. Brush the edge of the bottom crust with water, then slide the lattice off the cardboard round or tart tin base onto the top of the filled pie . Trim the strips at the edge of the tin and use your thumb to press the ends of the strips securely against the edge of the bottom crust. Use the dough scraper or the back of a knife to even up the rim.
Flute the edge of the pie as described if you wish; I like it better left plain.