FOOD ARTICLES: Bake a Pie



Made from fresh or canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie is the quintessential autumn treat. For a firmer pie, use just two eggs. For a creamier custard, use three eggs. Serves about eight.

Ingredients:

1/3 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 or 3 eggs
1 1/2 c. evaporated milk
2 c. pumpkin puree


Steps:

1. Put an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
2. Put eggs into a food processor or large mixing bowl and whisk well.
3. Add pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and salt, and mix. Set aside.
4. Warm the pie crust in the oven until it is hot to the touch.
5. Pour the pumpkin filling into the warmed pie crust and bake about 35 to 40 minutes, or until filling is set but still a bit quivery, like gelatin, when lightly nudged.
6. Cool pie on a rack and refrigerate. Serve either cold, at room temperature or slightly warmed.


Tips:

If you're not afraid to make a pie crust, then by all means, substitute a homemade pie crust for the prepared one. See "How to Make Pie Crust Dough."
You can substitute fresh pumpkin puree for canned puree.
You can substitute 1 1/2 c. light cream, or a combination of 3/4 c. milk and 3/4 c. heavy cream, for the evaporated milk.


Warnings:

If the pie cooks too much, it may crack.
Pumpkin pies do not freeze well.
Pumpkin pie is best served within a day of baking, because the crust will begin to soften after baking.