Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Hoosier Momma?

Today's recipe comes from a lovely book written by Molly Wizenberg-- A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes From My Kitchen Table. Molly is also the author of the blog Orangette. Without knowing what this book was about, I purchased it because of our common interests: food. I got this book many moons ago then placed it on the shelf and forgot about it. I knew I'd pick it up again when the time was right. When I finally read it, I cried. I laughed. And I grew hungry and I didn't want to put it down.

This book is a memoir, but it's more than that. It's a story of growing up, of grief, of travel, of love and loss. It's about family and finding the love of your life, all the while eating your way through life. It's about creating recipes that remind you of the good times and the ones you love. I'm not a follower of Orangette, but I hopped over there to check it out after I finished the book and I noticed that many of the stories were straight from her blog. Because each chapter is only about 2-5 pages long, the stories are never too involved, followed up with a corresponding recipe or two. It's an easy read that keeps you wanting to turn to the next page, even when it's 2am and you're yawning every few seconds and your husband keeps nagging you to turn the light off.

This pie is from the book and is a recipe that her cousin, Sarah, makes every Thanksgiving in honor of their late aunt, Mia. I am a pecan pie lover and often make it with added chocolate chips so this one with added Bourbon, was just a bonus. I took a shortcut and used a refrigerated pie crust, but if you have a favorite recipe, feel free to use it. This recipe was different than any pecan pie I've ever made though since it calls for creaming the butter and sugar together. It was also much more gooey than I'm used to. I served my pie at room temperature and it was a gloppy mess, but once chilled it was just fine. Just be sure to keep it refrigerated if you want to have nice clean slices of pie. And if you're curious about the Bourbon, it wasn't that noticeable, so leave it out if you prefer. While I thought this recipe was good, this pie is still my favorite!

Hoosier Pie slightly adapted from A Homemade Life

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  • 1 pie crust, store bought or homemade (I used Pillsbury)
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temp.
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons Bourbon
  • 1/2 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup pecan halves

Press pie dough into a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges to create a fluted rim. Place pie dough in refrigerator to chill while preparing the filling. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, beat the butter on medium-low speed until creamy and soft. While still beating, gradually add the sugar. When the sugar is fully incorporated, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Then add the corn syrup, vanilla and salt. Beat well, then add the Bourbon. Mix. The batter should be pale yellow and fairly thin.

Remove prepared pie plate from fridge. Scatter the chocolate chips and pecans over the base of the crust; then pour in the batter. The pecans will float to the top.

Bake for 35-45 minutes, checking every 5 minutes after the 30 minute mark. The filling will puff gently as it bakes. The pie is ready when the edges are firm, the top is deeply golden and the center seems set but jiggles ever so slightly. Transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool to room temperature. The filling will firm up as it cools.

NOTE: The covered pie will keep at room temperature for 3 days or longer in the refrigerator. You'll get a nicer slice if pie is kept chilled. If you like you can heat it for 10 seconds in the microwave.

I am grateful for you all and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Eat well, be content and count your many blessings.

~Monica

25 comments:

  1. I really do love pecan pie... I just can't get over the calories! This looks fantastic!

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  2. The pie looks delicious! I'm putting this book on my list for Christmas! I love to read cookbooks, and ones with added stories are some of my favorites. I have a Maya Angelou cookbook that I love to just sit and read.

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  3. YUM! And your pictures are FABULOUS!

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  4. Girl, I hope that you set this post on automatic. Otherwise, you sure were up late! Busy woman that I am, I listen to audiobooks during my long commute. Unfortunately, I don't think this book would be as good in audio, because there are recipes. Bummer. Sigh. If I ever can sit down long enough to read, it's one I should keep with me, eh? You wicked woman, I am now smitten with pecans. (Hurry up, Lammes order!) I'd probably pass on the pie, because it can be too sweet for me (if that's possible). But, you still make it look so pretty.

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  5. I love that book. The pie is gorgeous! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  6. I don't know which sounds better, the pie or the book! I love chocolate chips in pecan pie...yum!

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  7. I love pecan pie and chocolate, I will give this a try and share with my mom who loves both more than me :)

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  8. I love the addition of chocolate chips to pecan pie...makes such a huge difference to me! I have that same bottle of bourbon sitting on my counter, took a big swig last night to try to kill this cough...blech :P

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  9. I love to read and enjoy non fiction and cookbooks and this sounds like both rolled into one. Thanks for mentioning it. Borders has a 50% off coupon today so I will have to check it out. The pie looks delicious Monica. Have a wonderful holiday!

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  10. I strongly believe that books that contain real life experiences along with recipes offer such richness to the reader. This book definitely sounds like such a read! - especially when you report that not only did you cry but you also laughed! This description pulls me right in!

    Wishing you a VERY special Thanksgiving Dearest Monica!
    ~avril :-)

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  11. DROOL! Looks delish. Paula Deen puts chocolate chips in her pecan pie, it must really be the way to go! I'm telling my mom about this for Thanksgiving (TOMORROW!) yay =)

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  12. The pie and the book look great! I could probably eat the whole thing myself.

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  13. I do not have Molly's cookbook in my collection but your account makes me want to add it to my Christmas list. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for.

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  14. I'm so glad to hear the book is as wonderful as I think it is....I haven't read it yet myself, but thanks to this post, I'll put more of an effort into making it happen.

    I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and find time to relax a little (I'd put you to work cooking and baking at my house)!!

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  15. i love this recipe! we grew up calling it "Derby Pie"

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  16. I really enjoyed that book too, Monica. I'm a big fan of memoirs and all the stories were so genuine that she totally charmed me. The recipes are just a bonus.

    The pie looks delicious, by the way. We finished off our pies last night, and you're making me wish we hadn't.

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  17. What a gorgeous pie. And I love all your photos. That book sounds awesome! I'm gonna have to pick it up.

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  18. That book sounds lovely. And the pie looks delicious! I hope you had a tasty and wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  19. Thanks for the honest review!

    I had a store bought pecan pie and was so disappointed. It wasn't good as all. I'll have to check out your fave. OR just make those pecan bars that I've been lusting for forever!! :)
    ~ingrid

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  20. Oh yes, I would definitely keep the Bourbon...especially if it's Maker's (my fave!). Looks delicious--wonder why it's called a Hoosier Pie? Did you say and I missed it (I swear I double checked, but I've been known to miss things right in front of my face, so...) :D

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  21. Girli- I have no clue why it's called Hoosier pie. Someone else said they called this Derby Pie but I've made Kentucky Derby Pie and the texture was much different.

    I think they simply called it Hoosier Pie because they're from Oklahoma. Who knows?

    ~Monica

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  22. I too made a chocolate pecan pie for Thanksgiving...so delicious! I didn't even think I liked pecan pie...I was so very wrong!

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  23. Hi Monica,
    I just found your fabulous recipes through Pinterest. To answer the question about the "Hoosier" pie, that would mean there's a connection to Indiana - the Hoosier state. Though I'm a lifelong Hoosier, I've never added bourbon or chocolate chips to my pecan pie, but it sounds like a good move!
    I'm eager to try some of your recipes for tailgating at Purdue University Boilermaker football games. The Indiana University Hoosiers are our arch rivals!
    Happy cooking!
    Carolyn

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Thank you for your supportive comments. I appreciate each and every one of them!