Pie Making

This week the contestants in The Great British Bake Off were tested on their pie making skills.  The deep filled pies in the first challenge required not only pie dishes but also pie funnels.  In a later challenge the Silverwood flan tins were used by many and they needed ceramic baking beans when pastry cases were blind baked. Ceramic beans are perfect for blind baking, as well as stopping the pastry from lifting they conduct heat to the pastry to encourage a crispier bake - and they can re-used time and time again.