What size (in inches) are your pies?

Savoury:
Small - 4"
Medium - 5"
Large - 8"

Fruit:
Small - 4"
Large - 7 1/4"

What are the recommended servings for your pies?
Our 5 inch (Medium) Savoury pies serve 3 to 4 people, our 8 inch (Large) Savoury pies serve 5-6, and our 7.25 inch (Large) Fruit pies serve 4 to 5 people.

How do I store the pies?
The savoury pies should be kept chilled in the refrigerator (between 2°C and 5°C) whereas the fruit pies may be stored at ambient room temperature in a dry place and away from direct sunlight. If your pies have been ordered through our home delivery service, then these products must be kept frozen until required. Follow defrost instructions on the box prior to use.

Which of your pies are suitable for Vegetarians?
As we only use vegetable fats in our pastry, all our fruit pies are suitable for Vegetarians and to that effect our Wild Mushroom & Garden Vegetable savoury pie is suitable for Vegetarians. We use Vegetarian mincemeat in our mince pies too!

I am not sure about preparation instructions?
Clear and concise preparation instructions are printed on one side of the box of all our savoury and fruit pies.

I have discarded the box with preparation instructions. Could you please remind me of these instructions?

In a fan-assisted Oven

Non-fan-assisted Ovens

Increase oven temperature to 190°C or Gas Mark 5

Can the pies be served cold straight from the fridge?
Yes they can. Our pies have been cooked beforehand - if serving warm you are effectively reheating the pie not cooking it, the pies (savoury) MUST be heated until piping hot before serving.

I have purchased your pies fresh. Can they now be frozen?
Yes - our pies may be frozen for up to twelve months within the period of the fresh use by date. Please store at below -18°C.

How do I defrost the pies?
Please allow them to defrost naturally and thoroughly in a refrigerator for approximately 8-24 hrs or at least overnight. They may then be served cold or reheated by following the instructions on the box. 

Please explain the difference between a "use by date" label and a "best before" label?
If you have purchased the produce fresh it will have a "Use By Date" label, whereas, if the product has been purchased frozen, it will have a "Best Before" label.

Do you recommend reheating the pie in a microwave?
In a  word - NO!  Heating our pies in a microwave will result in a soft soggy pastry which nobody likes!

To achieve the best results short crust pastry should be warmed in a conventional oven. There is a tendency for the pastry to go somewhat soggy if microwaved. To counteract this, place the pie segments underneath the grill to crisp the pastry, please note that by doing this, you will NOT crisp the base of the pie.

How do you achieve the homemade taste to your pies?
Without giving away all our trade secrets, we at Lime Tree Pantry prepare our pastry with the same care and attention that we have done for many years. We only use the best of British meats and fruits wherever available. These are some of the contributing factors to the sumptuous taste of Lime Tree Pantry Savoury and Fruit Pies.