Happy Pi Day! A Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe

In honor of pi day, I made an excuse to make a pie, a strawberry rhubarb pi pie!  The rhubarb around this time of year is beautiful with its bright pink colors.  You will find this fruit in season during the early months of spring, June and July.  Rhubarb is perfect for pies and canning.  It's tartness is a great pairing with the sweetness of strawberries.


Pie Crust

• 2 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cubed and chilled 
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 6 to 8 tablespoons ice water

1.  Using a food processor, combine the flour, salt and sugar.  Pulse until mixed.  Add the butter and pulse until it resembles a coarse meal.

2.  Add one tablespoon of water at a time, pulsing until the dough starts to come together and forms a ball.

3.  Plastic wrap the dough and refrigerate for about an hour or overnight.

Pie Filling

• 3 1/2 cup rhubarb, fresh or frozen
• 3 1/2 cup (16 oz) strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

1.  Cut the rhubarb 1/2 inch pieces and slice the strawberries in half.  Toss all the ingredients together right before you start putting the pie together.


Assembling the Pie:

• Pie Pan (Glass, Ceramic, Aluminum) 
• Flour
• Dough
• Filling
• Egg Wash (1 egg, 1 teaspoon water, pinch of salt: whisk together)
• Pastry Brush
• Sugar

1.  Cut the cold dough in half and flour your work surface.  Roll out the first ball into a circle about the size of the pie pan.  This will be the bottom of the pie shell.  Roll the dough thin enough that you will have the dough over the sides for the pan.
2.  Toss the filling and spread into the pie shell.
3.  Roll out the rest of the dough about the same thickness of the bottom layer of the pie.  This is the point where you creativity comes through.  You can make designs in the dough, like cut outs, lattice design or simply make slits in the top, so air is able to escape from the center of the pie.  There are links below to help you with ideas.
4.  After you have decorated your pie, lightly brush the crust with egg wash.  You want a thin layer of egg wash to any exposed crust for equal browning and flavor.  Sprinkle sugar over the crust to give a little texture and sweetness.
5.  Bake in a 350 degree oven.  Bake until golden brown and if the crust is getting too dark around the crust, cover the outsides with aluminum foil.


Pie Topping Design Links:

• Various Styles of Pie Crust Edges - http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--813/decorative-pie-crust-edges.asp
• How to Make a Lattice Top -  http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_a_lattice_top_for_a_pie_crust/