Pie floater
Originating in the historic streets of Adelaide, this cherished snack is a savoured treat across South Australia, and considered one of their signature dishes. To many Aussies, a Pie Floater is the perfect cure to all banting woes.
The Pie Floater is made of two essential ingredients – an oven-fresh meat pie and a bowl of steaming hot pea soup. This traditional combination is then served on what is known as a ‘slicer’, adding some extra texture to the dish. The pie is positioned atop the soup, allowing it to float gracefully, hence the name ‘floater’.
The true beauty of the Pie Floater lies in its simplicity. The flavours of each ingredient are selected carefully to create a harmonious balance between the pie and the soup. The meat pie must have a tasty filling, with buttery and flaky pastry, making it the ideal companion for the vibrant and flavourful green pea soup.
Pie Floaters can be found in cafes and eateries dotted around Adelaide, with some establishments even serving alternative combinations such as sausage rolls and veggie pies. Whether you’re a native South Aussie or just visiting, the Pie Floater is a delicious experience that should not be missed!
Pie floater recipes
Amazing Pie floater recipes sourced from the web.
The origin of Pie floater
Pie Floaters, beloved in South Australia and considered an Adelaide specialty, have a fascinating origin story. It all began with the coming of the railway to the region. In the 19th century, when the railway tracks were first being laid, Irish immigrants were among the laborers employed. Many of these immigrants started selling ‘floating pies’ alongside the tracks. This was thought to be convenient for the late-night rail passengers who frequented the area.
This late-night snack, made of a beef, mutton or kangaroo pie floated in an abundant serve of green pea soup, soon caught on with night workers, laborers, and other local citizens.Such was the popularity that in the 1950s there were more than 12 pie carts in the central business district of Adelaide, each vying to attract the locals with their particular blend of flavours.
Today, there are only two official Pie Floater vendors in Adelaide, but despite its diminishing presence, Pie Floaters remain etched into the minds of Adelaideans as a much-loved delicacy. The traditional Pie Floater consists of a steaming hot savoury pie smothered in thick, stodgy cabbage-and-onion-flavoured gravy, which is then placed atop a generous ladle of pea soup. The pea soup has become more vibrant in colour as people have experimented with ingredients, moving away from the usual dry peas and reconfiguring the ingredients to make it tastier!
Pie Floaters have had a long and interesting history, having evolved over time with the recipe taking on different varieties and flavours. For the locals of Adelaide, Pie Floaters will always remain part of the cultural heritage and something intrinsically linked to the city’s identity.
Types of Pie floater
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Pie floater, a beloved Australian dish with origins that date back to the 19th century, is an iconic culinary treat enjoyed by many people. The dish consists of a beef or mutton pie steeped in a thick and tangy green pea soup and served with additional condiments. Though the classic Pie floater is a much cherished staple, there are plenty of ways to customize the traditional meal according to personal preference. Let’s delve into some of the variations available to try out!
One of the most popular variants of Pie floater is the Tasmanian Pie floater. This take on the classic dish uses a steak and kidney pie in place of the beef or mutton. The steak-filled concoction is then floated and steeped in a savory tomato-based gravy.
For those who want to add a bit more savor to their Pie floater, there’s the Mallee ‘Wet’ Pie Floater. This South Australian specialty involves a pork-filled pastry immersed in sauce— usually a combination of tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and onion gravy. The result is a robust, lip-smacking delight.
If more piquant flavors are desired, the Red Centre Pie floater, also known as the Northern Territory Pie floater, is the way to go. This spicy variation on the classic dish features a beef-filled crust atop a deeply flavored beef and capsicum gravy.
Another tasty twist on the traditional Pie floater is the Garden State Pie floater. Popularized by Melbourne cafe owners, this version includes a beef or chicken pie in a bed of garden vegetables such as peas, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes all submerged in either a tomato-based gravy or chicken gravy.
Finally, there’s the West Coast Pie Floater. This sumptuous specialty is made with a juicy beef pie in a creamy gravy. This decadent concoction is not only visually pleasing, but it’s also exploding with flavour.
Whether you’re a fan of the classic Pie floater or you’re looking to experiment with different variations, the possibilities are practically limitless. With all the numerous options available, one could conceivably whip up a new Pie floater experience every evening!