One of the great things about owning a savory pie shop is that we get to meet so many ex-pats...from Oz, New Zealand, England, Ireland, South Africa - it is amazing how many countries have a pie-eating culture!

We are often asked to make favorite savories or sweets from our customer's home countries - Steak + Kidney pie for the Brits, Mince + Cheese pie for the Kiwis, Milk Tert for South Africans, and all kinds of baked goods from Australia.  While we can't possibly make everything that our customers crave, we can provide you with some good recipes so you can cook up a taste of home!

Anzac Biscuits were first baked during World War I, when the wives of soldiers would bake them up to send to their men overseas.  The biscuits shipped well because they didn't contain milk or eggs.  After the incredibly brave showing by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACS) in Gallipoli, Turkey, the biscuits were renamed to honor these soldiers.

Anzac Biscuits are easy + cheap to make, and would be a good summer project with the kids.  Perfect for lunch boxes, with your afternoon cup of tea, or on a hike.  Enjoy!

Anzac Biscuits

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups desiccated coconut (also called unsweeted shredded coconut)
• 4 tablespoons golden syrup*
• 8 oz butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons hot water

Put oats, flour, sugar, and coconut in a large bowl and stir.  Put golden syrup and butter in a saucepan and melt over low heat.  Mix the baking soda and water and then add to the butter mixture (careful - this can bubble up vigorously!).  Remove pan from heat and pour the butter mixture over the dry ingredients.  Mix well.

Put bowl in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow it to firm up a bit.  Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325.  Then roll spoonfulls of the mixture into balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat.  Allow room for the biscuits to spread. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon or slightly wet fingers.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.  Cool on wire racks.  Makes about 4 dozen.

*Look for Lyle's Golden Syrup in the International Foods Section of your food store.  In Portland I buy it at Sheridan Fruit Co. on MLK.

It has certainly been a busy couple of months in PPC land.  The Farmer's Markets kicked off in early May, and it has been fantastic to see so many of our loyal market customers - and to start using some of the market produce in our sweet + savory pies!

There is a hot new brewery opening in Portland, and guess what is going to be on the menu?  Coalition Brewing Co. opens on Wednesday, June 23 and they'll be pouring a Pale Ale, a Red, and an E.S.B.  There is a yummy menu of small plates, including PPC savory hand pies!

Coalition is located at 2724 SE Ankeny, and will be open Tues - Sun 12pm - 12am.  We know where we'll be hanging out this summer!  Check 'em out on Facebook to stay up to date with what's on tap!

And when we want to hear some live music, we'll head to the brand spanking new Alberta Rose Theater, located at 3000 NE Alberta Street. 

This is going to be such a great addition to the live music scene in PDX, and guess what you can enjoy while taking in a show?  That's right, a PPC hand pie!  This is going to be some seriously unique theater food - and better yet, you can eat a pie out of one hand, leaving the other free to hold a microbrew or a cava.  See you at the Opening Night party on Thursday, June 24!

Due to popular demand, we are now baking up sweet, luscious pies. This weekend, stop by to try our chocolate peanut butter or rhubarb pies! Our sweet pies will feature the best Oregon fruits the seasons have to offer, all wrapped up in our famous pastry crust.

As always, we will be baking up our menu of savory pies using the finest local pastured meats and organic vegetables. 

Savory Pies + Sweet Pies = Win Win Situation!

We will be closed today for Easter, back open as usual on Tuesday with more delicious pies for you.

Have a gorgeous day everyone!

Here at Pacific Pie Company, we are dedicated to bringing you the best local ingredients - from farm fresh produce to the finest Oregon meat. We wrap up the best ingredients from our area in our own delicious pastry crust, so you can enjoy a delicious meal that you can feel good about. 

We use only the finest meat - as a former vegetarian of 15 years, an environmentalist and an animal lover, this commitment to humanely-raised, grass-fed and pastured meat is something we take seriously.

We source our meat from local ranchers who care as much about their animals as we care about our pies!

Our buffalo meat comes from Rain Shadow El Rancho here in Oregon - check out their site to learn more about Karen and Joe Shueller's commitment to raising the best quality bison using humane and earth-friendly practices.

The Rain Shadow El Rancho bison is featured in our Southwest Buffalo pie, available this week as frozen pies. Stop by the shop, pick up frozen pies in our full range of flavors, and you have a quick, nourishing and healthy meal anytime.