3.14159265359 2014 Edition

Happy Pi Day! My favorite is to celebrate with an actual pie! I started celebrating Pi Day last year.  Enjoy this years pie winners for Pi!

Pi Day is an annual celebration commemorating the mathematical constant π (pi). Pi Day is observed on March 14 (or 3/14 in month/day date format), since 3, 1 and 4 are the three most significant digits of π in the decimal form. In 2009, the United States House of Representatives supported the designation of Pi Day.

J.J.'s Never Fail Freezable Pie Crust

 Ingredients

•     1-1/2 cup vegetable Shortening
•     3 cups All-purpose Flour
•     1 whole Egg
•     5 Tablespoons Cold Water
•     1 Tablespoon White Vinegar
•     1 teaspoon Salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, with a pastry cutter, gradually work the shortening into the flour for about 3 or

   

   A pastry cutter looks something like this.

   4 minutes until it resembles a coarse meal. In a small bowl, beat an egg with a fork and then pour it into the flour/shortening mixture. Add 5 tablespoons of cold water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir together gently until all of the ingredients are incorporated.
2. Separate the dough into thirds. Note: Separating it into thirds will result in three thin crusts. If you prefer a more substantial crust, separate it in half. 
3. Form 3 evenly sized balls of dough and place each dough into a large Ziploc bag. 
4. Using a rolling pin, slightly flatten each ball of dough (about ½ inch thick) to make rolling easier later. Seal the bags and place them in the freezer until you need them. (If you will be using it immediately it’s still a good idea to put in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes to chill.)
5. When you are ready to use the dough to make a crust, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for 15 minutes. 
6. On a floured surface roll the dough, starting at the center and working your way out. (Sprinkle some flour over top of the dough if it’s a bit too moist.) If the dough is sticking to the countertop use a metal spatula and carefully scrape it up and flip it over and continue rolling until it’s about ½ inch larger in diameter than your pie pan.
7. With a spatula, lift the dough carefully from the surface of the counter into the pie pan. Gently press the dough against the corner of the pan. 
8. Go around the pie pan pinching and tucking the dough to make a clean edge.

Rosy's Family Pie Crust

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 5 1/3 tablespoon salted butter or margerine 
• pinch of salt
• cold water

Directions

1. Mix flour and salt
2. Cut in butter until it's about cornmeal consistency
3. Add 3 tablespoons of water and cut in
4. Then add water by the teaspoon until dough consistency
5. Chill slightly before rolling out and using

Derby Pie

 

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups chopped pecans
• 2 (9-inch) deep dish unbaked pie shells or 3 (9-inch) unbaked regular pie shells
• Ice cream, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine eggs and  sugar in large bowl. 
3. Add flour and mix well, 
4. Stir in remaining ingredients 
5. Pour into pie shells
6. Bake 50 to 60 minutes.
7. Serve warm with ice cream. Freezes well!!

Yeild: 2/3 pies

Pumpkin Pie

 

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• (or 1 1/2  teaspoon pumpkin pie spice)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 can (15 oz.) Pumpkin
• 1 can (12 fl. oz.) Evaporated Milk
• 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell or Rosy's Pie Crust
• Whipped cream (optional)

Directions

1. MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
2.  POUR into pie shell.
3.  BAKE in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.