Beef Pies—Hearty and Heartening

Provide a real treat on dark, rainy and cold evenings, when the family seeks the warmth and bright lights of the kitchen at suppertime. Take a brown-topped meat pie from the oven. Let everyone see the rich juices bubbling in the crust’s peepholes and savor the aroma. Watch the way everyone hustles around to get ready for supper. No one will forget these home scenes and scents. Psychologists say that pleasing food fragrances are much remembered childhood experiences.

Among the top-ranking meat pies that come to farm tables are the beef and vegetable stews under pastry, biscuits, corn bread or other crusts. You can add your own touches to the fillings or crusts—whatever your family likes. Is it celery, caraway or dill seed, or dill weed? Let the flavors your husband, children and friends appreciate be your guide in converting a homey meat pie into a gourmet dish. Spring a surprise change in flavor occasionally to observe its reception. One country homemaker’s stunt is to roll the biscuit dough covering stews in melted butter and fine bread crumbs for golden results. Here is an adapted version of her dish.