Raisin Pie//Pi Day

I guess it's inappropriate to make a raisin pie for Pi Day right? Raisin pie were made for funerals as they could keep for a longer period, made a few days before the funeral and then served at the wake.

Oh well, scrap that idea. It's Pi Day, what should you do besides ponder about the special number of 3.14159265.... commemorating such a weird math constant like π? Eat pie of course!

I know. I know. Not everyone particularly enjoys raisins. But I do, so just bear with this post as I share the simple recipe.

Raisin Pie
makes one large pie or two small ones

2 cups raisins
2 cups water
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp butter
* optional: zest of half an orange (which I didn't particularly like.. it made me think of fruit cakes)
recipe for double crust, or have 2 store bought crusts.

In a saucepan, cook the raisins in the water until plump on medium low heat. While the raisins are being plumped up in the water, in a separate bowl, combine the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and salt. When the raisins are pumped up and 2/3's of the water seem to be soaked away, mix the sugar mixture into the sauce pan with the raisins. Continue to cook on low heat while constantly stirring so the raisin mixture thickens up. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar and butter. If adding orange zest add it now. Let it cool down for a bit.

Preheat the oven to 425'F. Fill a pie shell with the raisin mixture. With the other pie crust, place on top of the pie and seal the edges. Make sure you make a steam hole or two using a sharp knife piercing the middle  of the top crust before baking. Bake for 30 -35 mins.

I also added a heavy sprinkle of demerra sugar on top before baking for a more crunchy top =)