One of my favorite things when I was growing up were my Finnish grandmother’s rice pies ~ piirrakka. I haven’t had them in years because I never learned how to make them, then this fall my cousin gave me a Finnish cookbook that included a recipe for piirakka, so my kids and I decided to give them a try.
The crust is made with rye flour and the rice for the filling is cooked in milk and butter. After the filling cools, the dough is rolled into a circle, the filling is added, and the edges are folded up and crimped to make an oval-shaped pie.
Before the pies go in the oven, they’re glazed with a mixture of egg and melted butter.
When they come out of the oven, they’re glazed with…you guessed it…more of the egg and melted butter, and then they’re ready to enjoy!
My grandfather used to call them mocassins, and you can see why!
I’m happy to say the finished pies were delicious. Not quite as good as Grandma’s but a good first attempt, and I’ll definitely make them again.
Do you have a favorite food from your childhood?
Until next time,
Lee
