Happy Pi Day from PAVE!

Today, March 14 marks Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical sign pi (π).

Founded in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw, March 14 was selected because the numerical date (3.14) represents the first three digits of pi, and it also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday.

The first Pi Day celebration took place at the Exploratorium (Shaw’s place of work), a San Francisco-based interactive science museum, and featured a circular parade and the eating of fruit pies. It wasn’t until 2009, however, that it became an official national holiday when the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation.

To celebrate Pi Day, we dug deep into the PAVE Archives to bring you 2 fun pie recipes found inside the 2003 PAVE Gala Program from industry friends Judy Bell and Ignaz Gorischek!

Judy's Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie from Judy Bell

Ingredients:

• 2 c. Strawberries (thick slices)

• 4 c. Rhubarb (1/2" pieces)

• 1/2 c. White Sugar

• 1/2 c. Brown Sugar

• 1 T. Cornstarch

• 1/4 c. All-Purpose Flour

• 1/2 t. Nutmeg

• 1 T. Orange Juice

• 2 T. Butter

• 2 9" Pastry Pie Crusts

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients except butter and set aside

2. Prepare pastry

3. Roll out half and fit into a 9" pie tin

4. Fill with strawberry-rhubarb mixture and dot with butter

5. Roll out remaining pastry and cut into 3/4" strips

6. Weave a lattice top crust and place it on the pie

7. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 35 minutes

8. Cover edges of crust with foil and bake for another 15 minutes

Mom's Pumpkin Pie from Ignaz Gorischek

Ingredients:

• 1 16 oz. Can of Solid Pack Pumpkin

• 1/2 C. Packed Dark Brown Sugar

• 1/4 C. Sugar

• 1 T. All-Purpose Flour

• 1 t. Ground Cinnamon

• 1/2 t. Salt

• 1/2 t. Ground Mace

• 1/2 t. Ground Ginger

• 1/4 t. Ground Allspice

• 1/4 t. Ground Cloves

• 3 Large Eggs

• 1 C. Whipping Cream

• 1/4 C. Whole Milk

• 1/4 C. Dark Rum

• 1 1/2 t. Vanilla Extract

• Pie crust pastry

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

2. Bake crust until pale golden, about 15 minutes

3. Transfer to rack and cool

4. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F.

5. Whisk the first 10 ingredients in a large bowl until smooth

6. Whisk in all remaining ingredients

7. Pour filling into crust

8. Bake pie 20 minutes

9. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

10. Bake until filling no longer moves in the center when the dish is shaken, about 30 minutes longer

11. Transfer pie to rack and cool completely

Enjoy!

Pi Day history and information obtained from history.com article "What is Pi Day?"