Each year, math lovers around the world mark the date of 3/14 by participating in mathematical competitions, running 3.14 miles, wearing clothing with the pi symbol or the face of Albert Einstein, whose birthday just happens to fall on March 14.
Those of us not so mathematically-inclined can also join the fun simply by eating anything with a circular shape, like pizza, or a cookie, and of course, pie. Here are three of our favorite pie recipes, including a creamy classic, two handheld specialties and even a savory option. Happy Pi Day!
1. Coconut Cream Pie
In our family, this classic Coconut Cream Pie is a springtime tradition in our family and this recipe gets an ultra coconut boost by incorporating both coconut milk and coconut rum into the custard filling.
2. Irish Steak & Stout Hand Pies
Savory hand pies are a popular specialty of Irish pubs, with variations nearly as infinite as pi. Our recipe features flaky, half-moon pockets filled with tender cubes of steak, carrots and potatoes, and a wonderfully complex flavor profile that comes from the addition of onions, celery, thyme, garlic, beef stock and, of course, Guinness Irish Stout.
3. Fresh Berry Galettes
A galette is best described as a free-form tart or pie, which can be made with either a sweet or savory filling. Galettes can be formed as one large pastry, similar in size to a whole pie, but I prefer to make individual tarts which can be eaten by hand, almost straight from the oven.
Tony and Gio (my hubs and son) just adore these fruit-filled pastries, and I adore the fact that, despite their fancy name and pretty presentation, galettes are surprisingly easy to make.