Mmm... π.

Today marks Pi Day! A day devoted to honor the mathematical constant π. It also is the day of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade. In celebration of both I will discuss my favorite bars and pies.

10. Lemon Meringue - Meringue is made when egg whites are beaten some the protein's hydrogen bonds break causing the protein to unfold. Potassium bitartrate (cream of tartar) is added to add further stiffness and sugar is added for sweetness. Baking seals the deal. While 'lemon' is the most common meringue there is also the very popular non-pie ice cream dish 'Baked Alaska' (or Bombe Alaska). Often rum is splashed on top of the meringue and set on fire. The meringue acts as an insulator to the ice cream. That's hot!

9. Pecan - While some pies have only hints of flavor, the pecan pie's flavor is unavoidable. Whole pecans adorn the surface of this custard-style pie. A traditional southern U.S. pie it is rumored to be invented by the French after settling New Orleans. My favorite version adds bourbon to the recipe.

8. Key Lime - This is another southern US traditional pie with European origin. The Conch (Bahamians of European descent) developed this dish after settling the Florida Keys. The 'Key limes' gave the characteristic flavoring. Like the lemon it is traditionally prepared with a meringue topping. You'll often find green food coloring added to the pie filling to give a lime-green color.

7. Chicken Pot - I'm finding 'gourmet' versions of this pie on menus more and more these days. This savory pie is the epitome of comfort food and the inexpensive frozen version is a staple of the college student diet. The American style typically has gravy and mixed vegetables (often potatoes, carrots, green beans and peas).

6. Apple - It is easy to assume that apple pie is the most common pie in the U.S.. So much that the phrase "as American as apple pie" is associated with anything being "typically American". However the pie is anything but American in origin. The English and the Dutch were making pies far back into the 14th century, hundreds of years before the 13 colonies were settled. I can't turn down a slice when it is served warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

5. Pumpkin - Have you ever noticed that pumpkin pie rarely tastes like pumpkins? The very fragrant spices of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and ginger often overpower the mild pumpkin. As pumpkins are native to North America, the pumpkin pie is more American in origin than any other pie. The pie is most popular around Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Wherefore there are many seasonal commercial foods that are flavored to resemble pumpkin pie. The Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks and the Post Road Pumpkin Ale by Brooklyn Brewery are two of my favorites.

4. Spanakopita - This is my favorite Greek diner food. A warmed savory pie, it uses buttery flaky phyllo dough to surround chopped spinach and feta (or ricotta) cheese. Phyllo is one of the most difficult doughs to prepare so it is most often store bought. It is either formed to a baking pan or folded over to a triangle similar to an apple turnover.


3. Blueberry & Cherry - You can make most fruit into a delicious sweet pie. Blueberry pie is often favored for pie eating contests probably because it stains a dark purple when you make a mess. Cherry pie continues to be popular thanks to the band Warrant.

2. Banana Cream & Chocolate Pudding - A 'cream' pie is any pie filled with a custard or pudding then topped with a whipped cream topping. A very quick and easy version can be made with a ready-made graham cracker crust, and instant or cook and serve pudding. Canned whipped cream or cool whip is an honorable addition to any pie.

1. Pizza - With the traditional forms of pizza the term 'pie' is used dialectal. However a Chicago style pizza or calzone could directly resemble savory pies and fit the standard definition. I reference it as a 'Pizza Pie' regardless of the style. Like ham & eggs, peas & carrots or coffee & cigarettes, pizza goes hand & hand with my drink of choice beer.

Honorable Mention: Shepherd's Pie - A 'cottage pie' is a savory mincemeat pie with a baked mashed potato crust. When the mince is Lamb it is commonly called Shepherd's pie. In Ireland Shepherd's Pie refers to any version regardless of the type of meat used. I will eat this pie to celebrate the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade.

To learn more about pie day check out CNN's article on Pi Day!
To learn about more pies check out this quick list from Wikipedia.

Coming soon: hear about my favorite bars...

*Update* OK so I've been slacking on the "Favorite Bars" Posts. Hangovers suck.