#math pie

Happy π day!!

Introduced the family to π day this last Monday (3/14). I was surprised by how surprised they were by it’s celebration? It’s a pretty commonly recognized day in the Bay Area/at startups and certain parts of the internet. When I was at Quizlet in 2018 we had a contest to see who could recite the most digits of pi. Winner reached 100 while I of course came in last place-- always tongue-tie my numbers and magnificently bombed out with “2.1415″ (recited of course with absolute confidence)

Anyway-- I made savory hand pies two ways (sourdough crust from my mother and lard crust by my choice) and everyone got a mini apple pie (lard crust) 

Mother was excited at the idea of pie and contributed a stunning starter course of just, like, random things she had in the house? Called it “bean pie” -- oh the magic that is possible when someone has the fundamentals of cooking down pat... 

I forgot to mention it at the time, but I made a pie for pi day. Our office had a little pi celebration. Many home made pies and then a contest to see who could recite the most digits...  I bombed with “2.1415″... the winner recited 100 digits. 

DTM: Triple Berry Pi Day Pie

If you’re hip you know I like to get mathematical & celebrate pi day. Here’s the recipe.

Ingredients

3 refrigerated pie crusts, you’ll need to let these sit out a bit to soften

1 cup sugar

5 tbsp cornstarch

2 tbsp quick-cooking tapioca

if you don’t have this you can substitute:

2 tbsp with 1 tbsp of arrowroot or corn starch (i did this)

2 tbsp with 1 tbsp of potato flour or rice flour

2 tbsp with 2 tbsp of flour 

1/4 tsp salt

For the fruit it can either be fresh or frozen, if frozen make sure to thaw and drain

3 cups blackberries

2 cups raspberries

2 cups blueberries

1 tbsp milk

2 tsp sugar

Instructions

Heat oven to 450°F. Unroll 1 crust in ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate. Press crust firmly against side and bottom. Trim along edge. Set aside.

Unroll 1 crust on work surface. i worked on the parchment paper the crust came in. Using small number-shaped cutters or just a good knife, cut out your numbers of pi.

In large bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, the cornstarch, tapioca (or substitute) and salt.

Toss with berries. Let stand 15 minutes. Spoon into crust-lined pie plate.

Unroll 1 crust on work surface. Using small sharp knife, cut pi symbol in center of crust. I cut the pi symbol backwords so I could just flip/flop the crust on top. Idk a better way to get the pie top on without fcking it up.

Place crust over filling. Wrap excess top crust under bottom crust edge. Press edges together to seal; flute. Flute means to crimp the edges.

Brush crust with milk; arrange numerals around edge of crust. Sprinkle crust with 2 teaspoons sugar.

Place pie on middle oven rack; place large cookie sheet on rack below pie plate in case of spillover. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Cover edge of crust with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning. Bake 40 to 45 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Let stand 2 hours before serving.