This month my recipe of the month is a simple one, pumpkin pie. Make note of this section because it is a list of what you will need to buy at the store. Pick up the following items:
frozen, ready-made pie shells (in the frozen food section)
a small can of solid-packed pumpkin (not the ready mix)
eggs
pumpkin pie spice (in the spice section)
a large can of Pet milk.
corn starch
Let me explain about some of the ingredients. Making pie dough is hard to get right. If a crack develops in the shell when it thaws, just seal it with your fingers. Solid-packed pumpkin is best; if you get the ready mix, you still need to add eggs and milk. A small jar of pumpkin pie spice is all that you need to make pumpkin pie taste good. Any milk will work, but the canned milk makes the filling smoother.
Here we go. Move the oven shelf to the center and pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.
Place a solid-packed can of pumpkin in a medium bowl and add 1/2 cup sugar and 2 eggs.Beat this a bit. Next, add 3 level tablespoons of corn starch, a heaping teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, and stir in the milk. Stir it well; do not whip, just stir. Now, ladle filling into the pie shell full to the top. Try not to spill it. Place the pie on the center oven shelf, close the oven door, and set a timer for one hour. Do not open the door for one hour. By then, the pie will have domed up and maybe browned on the edges. That’s ok. Take it out of the oven after an hour and let it cool. Do not try to serve it hot.
You will have filling left, I suggest using a greased cupcake pan or one with paper inners and bake after the pie.
Try making the pie a couple of times before the holidays to work out kinks. Trust me, don’t let the volume of words confuse you; it is simple to make.
This is the first of the holiday recipes. Next month, I will give you the recipe for cut-out cookies followed by fruitcake the following month, the best you ever tasted.
If you need to contact me, look up Bill Raulin in the Berkshire Gardens phone book or e-mail me at bill@bakerbill.net.
Soapbox time! The TV is pushing ceramic cooking and baking pans. All show a nonstick service. My tip is to be sure to add Pam spray to your shopping list. Yeah, I fell for these pans a few years ago. Never mind that the commercial says you will save close to thirty bucks. But I did use the ceramic pans a lot on my outdoor grill.
Baker Bill