Easy Rhubarb Strawberry Pie

Rhubarb is a unique vegetable that's often treated as a fruit in culinary contexts, especially in desserts. Its tartness perfectly complements sweet flavors, making it a popular choice for pies, crumbles, and jams. 

Strawberry rhubarb pie is a classic dessert that marries the tartness of rhubarb with the sweetness of strawberries, resulting in a delightful contrast of flavors. 

Here's a simple recipe for you to try:

Ingredients

• 1 double-crust pie dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 3 cups rhubarb, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cups strawberry puree
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust based on the sweetness of the puree and your preference)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Additional sugar for sprinkling on the crust

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare Pie Crust: Roll out half of your pie dough to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Place the dough in the pie plate, trimming any excess off the edges.

 3.  Mix Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced rhubarb, sweetened strawberry puree, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well to ensure the rhubarb is evenly coated.

 4. Assemble Pie: Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust. Dot the top of the filling with small pieces of butter.

5. Add Top Crust: Roll out the second half of the dough for the top crust. You can opt for a full top crust, a lattice design, or cutouts. If using a full top crust, make sure to cut slits to allow steam to escape. Seal the edges by crimping them together.

6. Apply Egg Wash: Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with sugar. This will give the crust a beautiful golden color and a slight crunch.

7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the edges of the pie crust brown too quickly, cover them with foil or a pie shield.

8. Cool: Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving. This cooling period helps the filling set, making the pie easier to slice.