DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am replying to Diane from the May 3 Sun Spots and hope that she sees this. My name is Emily and my mom, Denise, and I owned E. Claire and Pastries. We were really honored that you enjoyed our meat pies enough to write in and ask for the recipe.

We really miss all the wonderful people we met while we had the bakery. I’m sorry for the delay in getting this to you. My husband and I have been staying busy the past couple of months with a baby on the way and other fun changes.

We hope that you enjoy making these at home!

Any pie crust will work, but this is our recipe for the top and bottom pie crust.  Combine 12 ounces flour and 0.2 ounces salt. Work 8 ounces of cubed, cold salted butter into the flour while still making sure there are walnut-sized pieces of butter visible. Add 4 ounces of cold water to the mixture and knead until incorporated. Chill for 15-20 minutes before rolling out.

This is the recipe for meat filling for one pie. Cook 1 pound ground pork and onions (to taste) until meat is almost fully cooked. Drain fat. Add 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon thyme, a pinch each ground sage, black pepper, ground cloves, cinnamon, and allspice and continue cooking for a few minutes. Remove from heat and mix in 1 large potato that has been cooked and mashed. Do not add butter or milk.

Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Fill pie crust then brush top crust with beaten egg mixed with milk for a golden color.

Baking time depends on your oven, but I would start at 375 degrees for 50 minutes to an hour. Make sure pie dough is cold before baking.

The recipe for our Ham and Cheese Quiches follow:

Use 1 egg and 1/2 cup milk per quiche. Add salt and pepper to taste and the desired amount of cubed honey ham and Mozzarella cheese.

For these, we uses a large muffin tin, so I believe that one quiche recipe would fill two normal-sized muffin tin cups. Spray muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray and place the ham on bottom of the tin. Beat together egg, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture over ham then sprinkle with cheese.

I have never made these at home, but I would start try baking these at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. They will be done when they are golden brown on  top and the egg is cooked through. Enjoy! — Emily, no town

ANSWER: What a sweetheart you are for giving us these recipes. I hope Diane sees them too, and I’m looking forward to trying both of these.

I send you my best wishes for your new life with Baby. It’s a very exciting time but be sure to take good care of yourself along the way.

Sun Spots is a great place to share these family recipes and I’m so happy you were willing to do that. I’ve found that our readers are always interested in food!

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