I never imagined my second book would be a cookbook, and yet here it is: “DELUCA Pies.”
Since 2017, here at HI(NY)LIFE, I’ve primarily written about design and branding, sharing insights into my life in New York, and my passion for cooking and baking.
Among these topics, I’ve introduced numerous pie recipes, along with guidance on creating pie designs and the tools needed for pie-making.
Now, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to compile these into a book.
As I’m not a professional baker, I had many doubts when I was first approached about this project. However, with the support of the team at Bunka Publishing, I managed to bring it to completion.
Ten years ago, I began baking for my husband, Giorgio, who loves pastries, with absolutely no knowledge. I learned the hard way. Then, our son, who is just as fond of pastries, came along, and seeing the two of them happily enjoy what I bake is the greatest joy of all. I hope that someone, somewhere, will also find happiness in my creations.
Let me tell you a bit about the book:
About the recipes:
In this blog, I’ve introduced several dough and pie recipes, continuously improving them. In this book, I’m sharing the latest versions of these recipes. I’ve also considered the baking environment in Japan and included information on alternative ingredients and tools readily available to those living in Japan.
Seasonality:
Fruit pies are at their best when made with ripe, in-season fruit. I always strive to use seasonal fruits, so the pies you can make will vary by the season. In this book, I’ve categorized recipes by the four seasons.
Size:
The standard American pie is 9 inches (approximately 23 cm), but for my family of three, I typically make 6.5-inch (approximately 16 cm) pies. The recipes in this book reflect this smaller size.
Pie design:
I’ve added new designs and provided more detailed explanations with accompanying photos. The designs are created using cookie cutters and a knife (or a pastry wheel).
‘What happens in…’:
At the end of each season, I’ve included a glimpse into our family’s daily life with photos. I hope you’ll enjoy these snapshots as a fun way to take a break.
