You may be aware that I am partial to a good Bakery and I think Australian country town bakeries are an Art in themselves.
Pie of choice at the moment is a Beef Curry pie and the mighty Custard Tart does it for me unless there is a massive country chocolate doughnut I just can’t go past them.
There are rules though if your thinking of getting into the Bakery game in Country Australia or anywhere really.
The pie must have a bit of flaky pastry on top, for some reason round pies are better than square and the base must not be soggy but also not crumble and drop the goods inside.
The filling has to be the right proportion of meat / veg / gravy depending on style of course. Too much meat you would think is impossible but you don’t want a pastry wrapped steak as that would be weird and you definitely don’t want to be ripped off with a gravy parcel.
Oh and a Country Bakery Pie must not be caged in a plastic bag, you would not put a wild animal in a bag and expect it to be at it’s best, no if the pies are in plastic bags your in the wrong place just leave and find the fresh today Bakery and count yourself lucky.
The custard tart should be a little firm, note not rubbery or jelly like, if you can’t taste the egg it probably has too much gelatine in it so much better a little on the soft side.
The pastry needs to hold together, it is the edible plate after all but it should not dominate or be heavy as the custard filling is what it is all about, it is called a Custard Tart after all.
Finally, it has to have a good dose of Nutmeg on top, don’t skimp both for the presentation and the taste.
Two different and very fine examples.
Country Doughnuts wow were to begin, they need to be a certain size but I can’t say exactly how big but bigger than the standard mass produced Doughnuts for sure.
The dough needs to be soft and fresh and sort of fluffy but not full of air as this is not a French desert it’s a Country Doughnut.
The masterpiece needs to be topped with enough icing to cover the top but not the sides it is a crown not a Onezie, definitely don’t drown the thing in icing like some American Donuts. The icing should be thick, not stick to your finger when touched but should not crumble.
Get all that right and you are in a good place MMMM Bakery. Now there are no excuses, at least for these items every Bakery can be a Good Bakery.