Sister Pie: by Lisa Ludwinski

Cranberry Crumble Pie

Sister Pie: The recipes & stories of a big-hearted bakery in Detroit was a very happy surprise in so many ways! I had read about the book being available as a pre-order in a local article about the Detroit bakery, it sounded interesting, and I love a good pie! My book arrived in September 2018 on the day it was released (thank you Amazon), and the surprises began as soon as I opened the box!

I approach new cookbooks, just like I would every other book. I read it cover to cover. This one contains so much more than good recipes (and trust me, they are really good recipes) and great photos. Lisa transports you through the creation of her first pie, the experience of writing a cookbook, and the evolution of this amazing big-hearted bakery in Detroit.

“This isn’t just a book of Sister Pie’s best recipes, it is a testament to what happens when you build a business that has more than one bottom line. This is a book about a community and about how sustaining a community can be so sweet (…and savory)". Julia Turshen

Three paragraphs into her “Sistory” Lisa talks about pursuing theatre at a “tiny liberal arts college in Kalamazoo, Michigan (Go Hornets!)” Huh? Turns out Lisa is an Alumni, at the College, I started working at, just one month before pre-ordering the cookbook! Coincidence?? Probably....but it made me more intrigued about her story.

There are 40 pages of “the dough” containing seven different recipes that are used throughout the book. Then 15 pages on “the crust” explaining the different preparations. These 15 pages are where you learn to make a dramatic crust. Several pages include detailed step-by-step photos on how to master that Sister Pie look. The pie starts around page 60. The pies in the book are organized by season; which I appreciate. These are not your grandma’s apple pie recipes! Some of these recipes sound like a trip through Alice and Wonderland, but they are artfully crafted flavors that work! I love how Lisa pairs local, seasonal ingredients, and she is not afraid of flavor!

I was lucky to get a ticket to attend a book signing event at the Kalamazoo library shortly after the book came out. Lisa was even more engaging in person than she appeared to be through her writing. I was that one person in the audience that kept raising her hand every time she asked if there were any questions. Lisa’s passion for community, equity, and food are contagious. When she finished her presentation, treats (yum) were put out to sample while a line quickly formed to purchase cookbooks and get autographs. I was first in line at the treat table, I went straight for the peanut butter paprika, then shared a slice of salted maple pie with a friend. We sat back down waiting for the cookbook sales and autograph line to go down, hoping to steal a few minutes asking more questions while she autographed our book!

It’s no secret I’m a little obsessed with Sister Pie and the author, Lisa Ludwinski’s story. After the book came out, I was gifted this Sister Pie tote, which has become my go-to farmer’s market bag. People often comment on the bakery, when they see my bag. I love to share my obsession with them too as I walk through the market wondering what Lisa would pair with the seasonal produce on display.

During the Covid lockdown, I was gifted a ticket for one of her virtual demos in which I learned to make this perfect Rosemary and White Cheddar Scone. During the class, we learned both a savory and a sweet recipe, but the technique of making a scone is the essential part of the demo. Butter, cream, fresh herbs - did I all ready say perfect scone?

One of the many things that Lisa does well is bold flavor profiles, she said 1/2 C finely chopped rosemary, and although I honestly thought to myself “that’s way too much rosemary”, I followed her directions, and you know what? Perfect amount of rosemary! There’s that word again “perfect”…there’s a theme here…

It would be really bad food karma to share a recipe that was given during a paid class. But there are lots of options available. You can always purchase Sister Pie The Recipes & Stories of a Big-Hearted Bakery in Detroit cookbook. It’s available on the Sister Pie website or Amazon. You can sign-up for one of her virtual demos (there’s even a Kids Virtual Demo available). Or if you’re like me, add a visit to the bakery to your bucket list.

Cranberry Crumble Pie

While most of this book focuses on pie dough and seasonal pies, don’t skip through the “and everything else” section of the book, or you will miss all the cookies, breakfast, and Sister salads recipes. The celery, radish, parsley, and sunflower (pictured below) are one of my favorite things in this section. The salad is perfectly paired with a caper miso dressing that provides umami to the salad, and is also perfect for dipping raw veggies!

All Butter Pie Dough

Celery, Radish, Parsley & Sunflower Salad

Blueberry Cornmeal Scones

The first recipe is on page 25, after reading through the first 24 pages, Lisa felt like a friend. That smart, funny, wise, quirky friend that is always willing to start a dance party in the kitchen with you. Reading the book, and baking close to half of her recipes, I can tell you that Lisa has made me a better baker and more thoughtful about where my food comes from.

This would be a perfect cookbook to gift to a Michigan friend or give as a hostess gift to someone that loves to bake.

Trust me, this is a cookbook you want to buy and one you will go to often to bake that something special for that someone special! Please visit your local library, a small independently owned bookstore, or purchase your copy on Amazon.

I hope you’ll enjoy this book and cook along! Send me pictures if you bake something from this amazing book!