pi day

Pi Day may be the most nerdy but delicious day ever.  I don't remember if I have ever actually eaten pie on Pi Day.  I always have good intentions to eat pie and I would of happily eaten it if it were available  but most years I have lacked motivation.  Not this year!  Pi Day also happens to coincide with the midpoint of my Year of Pies challenge (a new pie every week for an entire year).  So in honor of Pi Day, and my need to make up a few weeks where I lacked that motivation, I made not one, not two, but THREE pies! 

The first two pies were not actually made today, but rather meant to be consumed today.  I took a strawberry pie and a brown sugar buttermilk pie topped with strawberries.  Not everyone understood "pi" but they all got "pie".  Most seemed to like the strawberry pie the best.  I must concur, it is the easiest recipe and it always has good results.  Okay, I am sure someone can mess it up.  Truth be told I almost messed up by walking away too long and nearly letting the sugar burn--burnt sugar is not a desirable pie flavor. Under normal circumstances the strawberry pie is quick and easy.  It also heralds in spring so well after a long winter.

The last pie of the day was a spiced meat pie.  Basically it is homemade sloppy Joe filling with a pie crust on top.  It had a lot of really strong flavors that seemed to all play well together.

The best pie also happens to be a family recipe.  I am not sure where my mom picked it up from but I know she won't mind sharing her recipe for the best ever easiest strawberry pie.

•  Cook your pie crust according to directions.  Blind bake it and let it cool before adding the filling.

• Cook one quart of sliced strawberries, 3/4 cups of sugar, two tablespoons of lemon juice and three tablespoons of corn starch over medium heat until juice is thick and clear (like jelly).

• Pour into your cooled baked pie crust.

• Let it cool a bit before putting it into the refrigerator until set, at least two hours.

Really it is that easy.  To really make it shine whip up some vanilla whipped cream to dollop on top.