Pie Day

Rhubarb. It's sort of like the Christmas of springtime for me - such a great treat but really short lived.

Yesterday this lovely bouquet was calling my name. One of the Official Cookie Tester's favourite pies is rhubarb but I seldom make it because the Rhubarb Torte, with its yummy custard filling, always seems to get to the front of the line (not that he's complaining...). Well, I decided that it was time to make him a treat.

It was a quiet day, perfect for putzing in the kitchen, so I made up a batch of pastry and then went on the hunt for a recipe - nothing all tarted up, just a good, old fashioned rhubarb pie. This one looked like it would fit the bill, so I headed out to the garden before the rains came.

It also gave me an excuse to try my hand at making a lattice top with the pastry cutter that Jane gave me for my birthday last year.

I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with my first effort at a lattice-topped pie, despite the fact that I think the bands are a little thicker than they should be, but I was leerie of having them break when I wove them together. I

I made a second pie for the freezer and the bands weren't as thick and it went together much quicker. That will be a nice treat to dig out in the middle of winter.

It took quite a while to bake and I think it could have used a few more minutes in the oven but I didn't want to ruin the pastry so out it came. Another time I would use a little less rhubarb. It's very good even if it on the sweet side. No complaints registered by The Official Cookie Tester though - he even had a piece for breakfast!

While I was out in the garden I couldn't resist picking a handful of peonies so their heady fragrance has filled the house. Pie and peonies, not a bad weekend....M