Wednesday, March 16, 2016

In Celebration of Pi Day!

So, Monday was Ma
rch 14, sometimes written as 3.14.  Math geeks and engineers everywhere refer to it as Pi Day; it's silly, or, as my son in law commented, "It's an irrational day."  Math is fun, really, it is.  So, with that mantra in mind, several years ago I began celebrating Pi Day with the little boys (since they are both at least 6'5" now, is it irrational that I still call them "little boys"?).

I made not one, but two pies for Pi Day.  Today, the apple pie, which had large requirements to fulfill: Must be delicious, reduced sugar, low cholesterol, low sodium, low potassium.  That's a big order for one pie.

MARJIE'S CRUMB TOPPED APPLE PIE

1 crust (your favorite or my "Best Ever ---->)
3 to 4 large Granny Smith Apples
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup stevia (or white sugar)
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 nutmeg, grated (about 1/2 tsp)
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 tbsp butter, melted
4 tbsp butter, not melted
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup nuts (I used walnuts)

Preheat the oven to 375F.  Grease your pie plate and lay the crust in it (or use a store crust to make things really easy).  I used a 10" pie plate.  Remove the cores from the apples and slice thin (no, I didn't peel them and no one noticed: score one for roughage).  Place the apples in a large bowl, add the 1/4 cup flour, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, sugar and stevia (or white sugar), and stir to coat.  Add the vanilla and melted butter, and stir to coat evenly.  Spread the apple slices in the pie plate.  Chop the remaining butter in pieces, place in your food processor with the chopper blade, add the 1/2 cup flour, oats and nuts, and pulse until grainy.  Sprinkle atop the pie and bake for about an hour, until the filling bubbles.  Cool and serve with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.

My pie lasted a good 24 hours, and my menfolk made happy noises while eating it.  Now they want to know when the next apple pie will be arriving.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

5 comments:

~~louise~~ said...

Happy Wednesday Marjie and belated Pi Day too, lol...

There isn't one tone of irrationality in your motherly thoughts. They will always be your little boys, always!!!

You hit the nail on this Apple Pie, Marjie...I'm not sure about the butter controversy. It's all so confusing. I've been trying to eliminate it whenever possible which works for me because it keeps me in check. I do se myself leaning toward the every once in a while mode which makes this pie of yours a keeper!!!

Thanks for sharing, Marjie...My daughter reminded me that it was Pi Day I reciprocated by reminding her that April 4, 2016 is Square Root Day. I suggested she teach my grandson about Square Root Day on Baseball's opening day this year which also happens to be April 4th this year! (the square root of a baseball diamond may be a place to start:)

P.S. Any suggestions on how to celebrate? It won't happen again until May 5, 2025!!!

Two French Bulldogs said...

You sure are a good cook
Snorts and a woof,
Lily & Edward

Lapdog Creations said...

That looks delicious!

Big Dude said...

I'd never heard of Pi Day but I like the way you celebrate it.

Pam said...

I love that you always celebrate Pi day! I actually first heard about it from you about 8 years ago. Wow. We've been blogging friends for awhile, Marjie!

The pie looks tasty and I am glad your menfolk gobbled it right up.