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.

The MacSalad

Bart: Unckie Herb, what advice would you give to a young boy who would most likely become a bum like yourself?
Herb: Discarded pizza boxes are an inexpensive source of cheese.
-The Simpsons episode [8F23] Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?

Everyone can agree eating fast food has its pitfalls. You really don't know what you're getting into when you chow down at your favorite on the go eatery. You don't know what is in that burger and usually eaten on the fly you don't always have at your disposal "fine dining". People eat food in many places. People eat it in their car, a movie theatre, their couch, a sidewalk, and classrooms just to name a few. I even remember hearing as child the local police department would bring the incarcerated criminals an Egg McMuffin and coffee in the morning or a Cheeseburger in the afternoon from McDonald's as their Meals. (Free McDonald's? I wanted to be locked-up!) Rarely do you have any utensils. Don't even think about flatware. At your disposal are usually an abundance of napkins (if they remember to put them in the bag) and the containers/wrappings/bags your food comes served in. When eating a messy or an involved meal this usually results in a recipe for disaster. Throw etiquette out the window when you are in the car as that Taco Bell will end up in your lap. There are environmental hazards.

In some cases the debris from your meal is just as prized as the meal itself. The leftovers are just as cherished and treated as "bonus" food. 'Urban Scavengers' as I'd like to refer to them are those brave few who take no shame in making a meal out of these morsels. "Lettuce" examine a few. Just when you thought you were through, there's more! You'll get desert once you've finished...

1. Bag Fries - The loose fries that have become dislodged from their container and fallen to the bottom of the food bag during transport. They are excellent for stealing. Those unfamiliar with the concept rarely check the bottom of the bag and throw them out. It breaks my heart to hear of all the forsaken bag fries throughout the world. Beware as small wars have been fought over who claims the discarded potatoes. The boys at Five Guys Burgers and Fries have embraced this concept. Here, when ordering fries with your burger, the server will scoop additional fries into the bag nearly filling it to the brim with oily love. They feed the world regardless of the size of the order and there's always enough to go around. Five Guys serves up peace on earth with every satisfied customer.

2. MacSalad - This is a term I have recently defined. It is the remnants of a Big Mac hamburger sandwich from McDonald's left-over after a meal. They may consist of one or more of the following: all-beef patties, special sauce, shredded lettuce, cheese, pickles, finely diced onions, sesame seed bun. Usually found in the box from which the Big Mac was served. I recommend asking for a fork when ordering a Big Mac these days. The special sauce being a thousand island variant is a fantastic dressing. No one should let it go to waste. Who cares if it is only shredded lettuce.

3. 'Sonic the Hedgehog' or 'The Lord of the Rings' - These are the names given to the recipient of the coveted misplaced onion ring often found among fries. This occurs when eating at a fast food restaurant which sells both, more specifically the aptly named Sonic or Burger King. It isn't so much a leftover "hazard" as it is an epic quest.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them!
-The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R Tolkein

4. Pizza Crusts (Pizza Bones) - I've been raised with the belief that it is a mortal sin to discard uneaten pizza crusts. This is mostly because where I come from (New Haven, CT) the crusts are often the best part of the Pizza. (I'll save the debate over superior pizza for another time.) What I will say is that just because the pizza crust is "a little burnt" doesn't mean that it tastes bad and should be thrown away. That's the way it is meant to be made 'round these parts. If you're not going to eat 'em pass 'em down!

5. Dumpster Diving - Am I serious? Yes. There are those who take urban scavenging to an extreme. 'Freeganism' is a relatively new movement based on an anti-consumerist lifestyle. One practice involves salvaging discarded, unspoiled food from supermarket dumpsters, known as 'dumpster diving'. 'Freegans' salvage the food for political reasons, rather than out of need, so you and your buds may want to read up on the social theory before 'Freegan' out.

No matter what your motivation is for scavenging, be aware. Pay close attention to the next meal you're having as you might find a treat amongst the used napkins. Be attentive to your leftovers for they could quickly become your buddy's meal. Do you want to change the world? Here's some food for thought: Try, offering up those bag fries, next time you're eating on the run. You're sure to gain a few friends.

Peace!