Take On The Irish Apple Pie Challenge This World Pi(e) Day

March 14th marks World Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical sign, pi (π). In celebration, The Irish Apple Growers Association will be giving away free apples at selected farmers’ markets from the 8th to the 16th March.

 

What’s more, Bord Bia are giving you a chance to win a one night stay at Ballyknocken House & Cookery School, including breakfast and a delicious four-course evening meal and a half day cookery course for two people.

 

To be in with a chance of winning, you must to bake a pie with your free apples and give it to someone dear to you. Then post a photo of your finished pie on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #IrishApplePieChallenge. The competition closes on the 18th March with the winner notified on the 22nd March.

 

Founded by an American physicist in 1988, the date for the celebration of World Pi Day was selected because of its numerical significance to the first three digits of pi (3.14). It also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday; a pi-fect coincidence indeed!

 

For foodies, baking with Bramley’s is the surest way to savour every piece of Pi(e). Bramley apples are a one-of-a-kind apple variety and the only type developed for cooking, with a unique fluffy texture.

 

Ireland grows one-third of the world’s Bramley apples, and has been growing Bramleys for more than 200 years. There are thirty four Bramley apple growers in Ireland growing 317 hectares of apples. Five and a half thousand tonnes of Bramley apples are sold by retailers every year with a value of just under €9 million.

 

So have a go yourself  – and enjoy a piece of Pi(e)…

 

Visit: http://www.bestinseason.ie/whats-in-season/world-pi-day/

 

Use #IrishApplePieChallenge

 

 

Where to Find Your Free Apples (while stocks last)

 

County Clare

 

The Grainey, Scarriff. Monday, March 12thTuesday, March 13thWednesday, March 14th.

 

County Cork

 

Mahon Point Farmers’ Market: James Scannell, Mealgulla Orchard Stall and Ballyhoura Apple Farm Stall – Thursday, March 8th, 10am to 3pm.

 

Clonakilty Farmers’ Market: James Scannell, Mealgulla Orchard Stall – Friday, March 9th: 9am to 2pm.

 

Douglas Farmers’ Market: James Scannell, Mealgulla Orchard Stall – Saturday, March 10th, 10am to 2pm.

 

Coal Quay Market, Cork: James Scannell, Mealgulla Orchard Stall – Saturday, March 10th, 10am to 2pm.

 

Midleton Farmers’ Market: Philip Little’s Orchard stall – Saturday, March 10th, 9am to 1.30pm.

 

Mallow: Killavullen Farmers’ Market, Nano Nagle Centre – Saturday March 10th10.30am to 1pm.

 

County Dublin

 

Keelings Farm Shop, St. Margarets. Friday March 9th, Saturday, March 10th and Sunda,y March 11th, 10am to 6pm.

 

Temple Bar Market: David Llewellyn’s Stall – Saturday, March 10th, 10am to 5pm.

 

Peoples’ Park Market Dun Laoghaire: David Llewellyn’s Stall – Sunday, March 11th, 11am to 4pm.

 

Stillorgan Farmers’ Market: Fintan Goode’s Stall – Wednesday, March 14th, 10am to 4pm.

 

Leopardstown Market: Fintan Goode’s Stall – Friday, March 9th: 10am to 3pm.

 

Marley Park Market: Fintan Goode’s Stall – Saturday March 10th, 10am to 4pm.

 

County Kerry

 

Listowel Market, Aidan O’Connor’s Farm Stall, Friday, March 9th, 9am to 2pm.

 

Tralee Market: Aidan O’Connor’s Farm Stall, Saturday, March 9th, 9am to 2.30pm.

 

County Limerick

 

Limerick Market: Killowen Orchard Farm & Flower Stall, Saturday, March 10th, 9am to 2pm.

 

Ballyhoura Apple Farm, Ballyhoura Artisan Food Park, Kilfinane. Monday, March 12th to Friday, March 16th, 9am to 6pm.

 

County Louth

 

The Cottage Market, St. Peter’s Church, Peter Street, Drogheda, Saturday, March 10th, 11am to 4pm.

 

County Meath

 

New Barn Farm, Dublin Road, Ashbourne. Friday March 9th and Saturday March 10th, 9am to 6pm.

 

County Tipperary

 

The Apple Farm, Moorstown, Cahir. March 9th to 16th.

 

Country Choice, Kenyon Street, Nenagh. March 9th to 16th.

 

Cahir Farmers’ Market, Castle Street Car Park, 9am to 1pmSaturday March 10th.

 

The Green Sheep, Thurles, Friday March 9th, Saturday March 10thMonday March 12th.

 

County Waterford

 

Killowen Orchard Farm Shop, near Portlaw. Saturday March 10th, 10am to 5pm.

 

Crinnaghtaun Farm at Cappoquin Estate, Dungarvan Road, Cappoquin. Monday March 12th and Tuesday March 13th, 10am to 4pm.

 

Bord Bia’s Apple Pie Recipe

 

Ingredients:
Pastry
225g plain flour, extra for dusting
2 tbsp icing sugar
100g butter, diced and chilled
2 large egg yolks
2-3 tbps ice-cold water

 

Filling:
900g Bramley cooking apples
100g caster sugar
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Good pinch ground cloves/4 whole cloves
1 tbsp milk

 

Method:
To make the pastry: Sift the flour and icing sugar into a bowl. Using a round-bladed knife or the tips of your fingers, work in the butter and then mix in the egg yolks. Add the ice-cold water until the dough just comes together. Wrap in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F/gas mark 5). Lightly dust the work surface with flour.

 

Divide the pastry into 2 portions, one slightly larger than the other, then roll out the larger piece until it is about 30cm in diameter. Use to line a 20cm pie dish or a 23cm flat plate, gently pressing into the corners. Trim the edges with a knife and reserve the excess for decorating. Place back in the fridge to chill while you prepare the apples.

 

Peel, core and slice the apples. Place in a large bowl with all but 1 tablespoon of the caster sugar. Add the cinnamon and cloves and mix together. Brush the edge of the pastry with a little milk and then pile the apples into the lined pie dish. Roll out the second piece of pastry into a circle slightly larger than the pie dish and use to cover the apples. Press the edges together to seal, then use a sharp knife to cut away any excess.

 

Crimp the edges of the tart with a round-bladed knife, using your fingers as a guide. If you wish roll out the pastry scraps and cut into leaf shapes. Brush the shapes with milk and stick on top of the pie. Brush the entire top of the pastry with milk and sprinkle over the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 25-30 minutes, then reduce the oven to 180°C (350°F/gas mark 4) and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.

 

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