Valerie Gordon's Valentine Pie

Put the rhubarb and sugar into a medium saucepan and cook over medium- heat,stirring periodically, until the fruit softens, about 5 minutes. Add the strawberriesand continue cooking for 5 minutes, stirring frequently-.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the raspberries. Taste the mixture, and ifyou would like the pie a little sweeter, add more sugar. Stir in the cornstarch androse petals and let the filling cool to room temperature. (The filling can be stored,covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.)

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F.

Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator and place on a floured cool surface.Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a 13-inch circle: Start from the center ofthe dough and roll outward, rotating the dough 2 to 3 inches after each roll—thiswill help create a true circle. After every four to five rolls, run a large offset spatulaunder the dough to release it from the work surface. Add a little flour to the surface,rolling pin, and/or dough if the dough sticks or becomes difficult to roll.

Roll the dough up onto the rolling pin, then unroll into a 9-inch pie pan, centeringthe round. Gently press the dough into the bottom of the pan and against the sides,making sure there are no air pockets. Press the dough against the upper edges of thepan so it extends about 1⁄2 inch beyond the edges, then trim any excess dough withkitchen shears. Chill the crust for 15 minutes, or until the dough is cool and firm.

Meanwhile, roll out the second disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Using a 2-inchheart-shaped cookie cutter, cut a shape in the center of the pie round and remove it.(See Tip.)

Cover the bottom of the crust with the pie dust. Fill the crust with the filling. Using apastry brush, paint the beaten egg around the edges of
the crust.

Roll the top crust up onto the rolling pin and drape the dough over the filling. Trimand crimp the edges of the double crust (instructions below). Refrigerate the pieuntil the crust is cold and firm to the touch, about 15 minutes.

Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until the edges of thecrust look golden brown. Remove the pie from the oven and cover the edges of thecrust with a pie ring (below).

Bake for an additional 35 to 45 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Startchecking the pie after 30 minutes, then continue baking, checking at 5-minuteintervals, until the crust is golden, with no translucent areas. Remove the pie ring

and bake for an additional 5 minutes or so, until the crust is golden brown. Transferthe pie to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Storing

The pie can be stored in the refrigerator, to serve cold, or at room temperature,covered, for up to 2 days.

Tip: If you like, brush the heart-shaped cutout with beaten egg, sprinkle with sugar,and bake on the baking sheet beside the pie for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden. Servewith a dollop of jam for a mini-pie treat.

Makes enough for one 9-inch double-crust pie, two 9-inch single-crust pies, orfifteen 4-inch hand pies

Given the choice between a piecrust made with butter and one made withshortening, I always choose butter. If you keep your dough cold at every step of theway, you can achieve the same flakiness that people attribute to shortening with theincomparable flavor of butter.

To make the dough in a food processor: Put the flour, sugar, and salt in theprocessor bowl and pulse once or twice to combine. Drop the pieces of butterthrough the feed tube, continuing to pulse until the mixture resembles coarsecrumbs. Slowly add 1⁄4 cup water as you continue pulsing a few more times, thenadd more water if necessary; stop when the dough just starts to come together.

To make the dough by hand: Put the flour, sugar, and salt into a medium bowl andmix together with a fork or small whisk. Cut the butter into the dough using a pastrycutter or a large fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle 1⁄4 cupwater directly over the dough, mixing with the pastry cutter or fork, then add morewater if necessary, mixing until the dough just comes together.

Remove the dough from the processor or bowl and form into 2 equal disks. Wrapeach disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days. Thedough can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator.

Sift the flour and sugar together into a small bowl. The pie dust can be stored in anairtight container for up to 6 months.

Crust design, or crimping, is a way to add a personal touch to your creations. Onceyou’ve mastered a few versions, try to do them more quickly without sacrificingprecision; pie dough holds its shape best with minimal handling.

Forked Crimp
For a single-crust pie, using a fork dipped in flour, press the dough against the rim ofthe pie pan all around the pan, making sure you don’t overlap the fork impressions.Chill the pie as directed in the recipe before proceeding.

For lattice-topped and double-crust pies, trim the top crust to a 3⁄4-inch overhang ifnecessary. Fold the edges of the top crust over the bottom crust and proceed as for asingle crust.

Simple Crimp
For a single-crust pie, place your thumbs about 1⁄4 inch apart on the edge of the crustand press them toward each other to create a crimp, then continue all around theedge of the pie. Chill as directed in the recipe before proceeding.

For lattice-topped and double-crust pies, trim the top crust to a 3/4-inch overhang ifnecessary. Fold the edges of the top crust over the bottom crust and proceed as for asingle crust.

Fancy Crimp
For a single-crust pie, put your left index finger on the edge of the dough at a 30-degree angle. Using your right thumb, lift the edge of the dough just to the right ofyour index finger and press the dough between your index finger and thumb tocreate a crimp. Using your right thumb and index finger, press the dough togetherjust to the right of the crimp, extending the dough down about 1⁄2 inch. Put your leftindex finger to the right of the established crimp and, with your right thumb, lift theextended dough up to your index finger, creating a second crimp. Continue allaround the edge of the entire pie.

When the crimping is complete, pinch all the crimps one more time to give themmore height and definition. Chill the crust as directed in the recipe beforeproceeding.

For lattice-topped and double-crust pies, trim the top crust to a 3⁄4-inch overhang ifnecessary. Pinch the top and bottom crusts together around the entire edge andproceed as for a single crust.

Making a Pie Ring

A pie ring, or pie shield, is used to prevent the edges of a piecrust from burningwhile the filling cooks through. Commercially made pie shields are available atkitchen supply stores, but you can easily make your own using the followinginstructions.

Cut a 30-inch-long piece of aluminum foil, and fold it lengthwise in half and then inhalf again. This makes a sturdy pie ring that can be used multiple times.

Wrap the foil around the edges of the partially baked pie, gently pressing the foil soit hugs the crust. Press the foil ends together to seal them. When the pie is baked,carefully remove the pie ring and save it for your next pie.