Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

Fall is definitely in full swing...the leaves have changed from green to gold, orange, and red, and are now being forced off the branches by the Pacific Northwest rains.  Fall means pie season.  Usually I think of apple or pumpkin at this time of year, but a strawberry-rhubarb pie is a welcome reminder of warmer weather and sunshine.  And who says you can't have a bit of summer in the fall?

Strawberries and rhubarb freeze well, so stock up when they're in season and save a bit for later.  You won't regret it!

De-Stringing Rhubarb

Before you get to the pie, you'll need to prep your rhubarb.  This only takes a couple minutes to do.  Cut or snap back a piece on the end.  Don't cut through the piece.  Once you've pulled it back most of the way, pull the end down removing all the stringy stuff.  Make a cut on the other end (opposite side) and pull off the strings on that side.  Repeat a couple more times until most of the strings are gone.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

(Cook's Illustrated)

The amount of sugar and tapioca you use is relative, depending on the fruit’s quality and your taste. If you prefer a less sweet pie or if the fruit is especially sweet, use the lower sugar amount. If you like your pie juices fairly thick, or if the fruit is really juicy, then opt for the higher amount of tapioca. If you are using frozen fruit, measure it frozen, but let it thaw before filling the pie. If not, you run the risk of partially cooked fruit and undissolved tapioca.

Makes one 9-inch pie, serving 6 to 8

Pie Dough

2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour , plus extra for dusting

1 teaspoon table salt

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

11 tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into 1/4-inch cubes

7 tablespoons vegetable shortening , chilled

1/3 cup water , chilled with ice, increasing up to 3/8 cup, if needed

Strawberry-Rhubarb Filling

3 cups fresh strawberries , hulled and sliced

3 cups fresh rhubarb , trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon grated orange zest

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 - 4 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca

2 tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into small pieces

1. Mix flour, salt, and sugar in food processor fitted with steel blade. Scatter butter pieces over flour mixture, tossing to coat butter with a little flour. Cut butter into flour with five 1-second pulses. Add shortening and continue to cut it in until flour is pale yellow and resembles coarse cornmeal with butter bits no larger than small peas, about four more 1-second pulses. Turn mixture into medium bowl.

2. Sprinkle all but 1 tablespoon of the ice water over mixture. With blade of rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix. Press down on dough with broad side of spatula until dough sticks together, adding up to 1 tablespoon of remaining ice water if dough does not come together. Divide dough into two balls, one slightly larger than the other. Flatten each into 4-inch-wide disk. Dust lightly with flour, wrap separately in plastic, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

3. Remove dough from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature to soften slightly, about 10 minutes. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Toss fruit with sugar, lemon juice and orange zest, vanilla extract, and tapioca; let stand for 15 minutes.

4. Roll larger dough disk on lightly floured surface into 12-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer and fit dough into 9-inch Pyrex pie pan, leaving dough that overhangs the lip in place. Turn fruit mixture, including juices, into pie shell. Scatter butter pieces over fruit. Refrigerate until ready to top with remaining dough.

5. Roll smaller disk on lightly floured surface into 10-inch circle. Lay over fruit. Trim top and bottom dough edges to 1/2-inch beyond pan lip. Tuck this rim of dough underneath itself so that folded edge is flush with pan lip. Flute dough in your own fashion, or press with fork tines to seal. Cut four slits at right angles on dough top to allow steam to escape. If pie dough is very soft, place in freezer for 10 minutes before baking.

6. Place pie on baking sheet; bake until top crust is golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to bake until juices bubble and crust is golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes longer.

7. Transfer pie to wire rack; let cool to almost room temperature so juices have time to thicken, from 1 to 2 hours.