(CNN) — Flour power! March 14 is Pi Day, or if you’re us, National Pi(e) Day.
Today is the day where we can celebrate the logical left brain and the creative right brain. Pi(e) Day is just that — a time when math and science folks can indulge their sensory side.
Let’s get the Pi stuff cleared up, think back to that day in math class where your teacher made you draw circles for ages. You probably learned about a circle’s circumference (the distance around the circle), and its diameter (the distance across it through the middle of the circle). The ratio of the circumference to the diameter is 3.14 and is called Pi. March 14 is 3/14.
On Pi Day, finding strength in numbers
We seem to celebrate pies a lot around here, and while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating Pi(e) day with an apple or pecan pie, here are some other options: National Pecan Pie, National Pie Day, National Apple Pie Day
But why not play around with your food’s geometry? You could make perfect circles with ring molds and cookie cutters, or branch out into squares and rectangles. A loaf of banana bread is not only great for breakfast or a mid afternoon snack — it’s a great way to teach a child (or mathematically challenged adult like me) about those equiangular quadrilaterals.
Consider the samosa – India’s triangular, stuffed, savory pastry. They usually contain curried vegetables or meat, but you can fill yours with whatever your heart desires and fold them into an isosceles or right angle triangle.
If you’d like to celebrate Pi(e) day in a more well-rounded way, but want to be a touch more creative, why not make some whoopie pies? Or, you could make shepherd’s or cottage pie. This humble dish is great for dinner and the leftovers (if there are any) taste even better.
Usually, shepherd’s pies are made with lamb, and cottage pie with ground meat – usually beef. The meaty base is topped with a layer of creamy (and in my house cheesy) mashed potatoes and then broiled. Just make sure to use a traditional tin, rather than a casserole pan so the whole thing comes full circle.
