4 Amazing Pie Recipes to Celebrate the National Pi Day

March 14 is an annual commemoration of National Pi Day. It celebrates the history of the mystical number 3.14. Pi is an infinite mathematical concept that may be difficult to grasp but significant in many aspects of our lives. 

The best part is that the day does not only celebrate Pi, but also pie. The mathematical concept and the scrumptious dessert are celebrated on the same day because they sound the same. Also, since Pi is a constant measurement in all circles, and pies are round, it's only natural that they're both commemorated on this day with pie recipes.

History of National Pi Day

The history of the National Pi Day is directly linked to the number itself.  Pi is an ancient concept, and many cultures have tried to capture this mysterious number in mathematics. Ancient mathematical cultures could only decode it to the seventh decimal; whereas, revered Indian mathematicians at the time could only interpret Pi up to five.

The Exploratorium Museum of Science, Art, and Human Perception in San Francisco launched the first celebration of National Pi Day in 1988. After that, the US Congress declared the day a holiday in 2009. Currently, the day is recognized worldwide by teachers, students, mathematicians, and pie lovers. 

How to Celebrate National Pi Day

The greatest way to celebrate National Pi Day is to eat a lot of pie - given that Pi is a number that describes a circle and pretty much everything in the universe.

It's the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your baking prowess.  Make pie recipes ahead of time and share them with your friends, family, and coworkers. You can also host a pie baking contest with your friends and award the winner. Take a look at these four pie recipes for some inspiration, and be sure to bag the reward. 

Leek & Eggplant Pie Recipe²

You can make this leek and eggplant pie from scratch or with leftover roast chicken. This pie recipe yields six pies and may take extra effort, but it is worth it when you have guests.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups dried leeks
• 1 thyme sprig
• 2 cups diced eggplant
• 2 cups skinless chicken thigh chunks
• 1/4 cup flour
• White wine (optional)
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup double cream
• Juice of one lemon

Directions:

1. Fry the leeks and the thyme with butter in a saucepan for 8 minutes. Add the diced eggplant and cook for 5 more minutes.
2. Increase the heat. Add the chicken and stir until it browns.
3. Sprinkle the flour and stir to form a paste. Let it cook for an additional 2 minutes.
4. Add the wine and simmer for a minute. Then, add the stock, cream, and lemon juice. Season and simmer for 10 minutes until the chicken is well cooked.
5. Set it aside to cool, then put it in the refrigerator to chill if you're not eating the pie the same day.
6. To make the pie, pour the filling into an unbaked pie crust.
7. Bake at 325°F for about 45 minutes.

Sweet Potato Pie³

This sweet potato pie recipe is nothing like you've had before.

Ingredients

• 2 cups freeze dried sweet potatoes
• 1 unbaked pie crust
• ½ cup butter softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 2 eggs
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Rehydrate the sweet potato by adding to two parts of water.
2. Mash the sweet potato in a mixing bowl. Add butter and mix until well combined.
3. Add in sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, milk and combine all the ingredients with a mixer until smooth. Sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg and stir.
4. Pour the filling into the pie crust.
5. Bake at 325°F for about an hour. To check if it's ready, insert a knife and ensure it comes out clean. Enjoy.

Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie⁴

Apart from making this pie recipe during National Pi Day, make it for a birthday celebration instead of a cake. Brush the pie crust with egg white glaze to prevent the crust from getting soggy.

Ingredients

• 1 refrigerated pie crust
• 4 cups sliced freeze dried strawberries
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 ounces strawberry gelatin
• 1 cup water
• Whipped cream, optional

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
2. Place the pie crust into a pie plate and trim the edges. Cover with foil and bake for about 5 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 5 more minutes. Let it cool on a wire rack.
3. Meanwhile, mix the sugar, cornstarch, and water to make a paste. Boil the mixture until it thickens for about 2 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat. Add the gelatin and stir until it dissolves. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to cool.
5. Arrange the sliced strawberries on the crust. Pour the gelatin and cornstarch mixture over the berries. Refrigerate for a few minutes to set before serving.
6. Serve with whipped cream if desired.

Chocolate Raspberry Pie⁵

This recipe will make you a winner in a pie contest. The cheesy filling combined with the raspberry is magical and unforgettable.

Ingredients

• 2 cups freeze dried raspberries, rehydrated
• Dough for single-crust pie
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Filling:

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup sugar

Topping:

• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 3 tablespoons butter

Directions

• Roll the dough on a floured surface, then transfer it to a pie plate. Trim the edges, then refrigerate for 25 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F. Bake the pie crust until golden brown. Set it aside on a wire rack to cool.
• Combine the sugar and cornstarch, and raspberries. Heat over medium heat. Let it boil for two minutes. Turn off the heat. Pour the filling on the crust
• Combine cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a mixer until fluffy. Fold in the whipped cream. Then pour over the raspberry mixture on the crust. Refrigerate for an hour.
• Melt the butter and chocolate and combine until smooth. Once it cools, pour over the filling. Cover and refrigerate again for about two hours.

Tell ten people to choose a dessert in the absence of ice cream, and more than half of them will go for a cake or pie. And all of them would eat their pie with ice cream.

It's time to get those baking tins out and try these fantastic pie recipes on National Pi Day. Did you try these recipes? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Don't forget to buy our freeze dried sweet potatoes, raspberries, and strawberries. The pie recipes will be incomplete without them.

References

1. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pi-day/
2. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chicken-leek-mushroom-pies
3. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/12142/sweet-potato-pie-i/
4. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/easy-fresh-strawberry-pie/
5. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-raspberry-pie/

← Previous Post Next Post →