Lyons Family Cookbook

Eggnog Chiffon Pie

--- CRUST ---

1 1/3

cups

graham cracker crumbs (1 package, 10 boards)

1

cup

pecans, shelled, finely ground

1/2

cup

butter (1 stick), melted

1/8

tsp

ground nutmeg

1/8

tsp

ground cloves

1/8

tsp

salt

--- FILLING ---

2/3

cup

sugar

1

packet

unflavored gelatin

1/8

tsp

salt

1/2

cup

water

3

egg yolks, lightly beaten

2

Tbs

white rum

2

Tbs

brandy

1

tsp

vanilla extract

1/2

tsp

ground nutmeg

1/8

tsp

ground cloves

2

Tbs

powdered egg whites, dissolved in 6 T warm water

1

cup

heavy cream

--- GARNISH ---

1/2

cup

shelled pecan halves (about 26 halves)

2

oz

semisweet chocolate, melted

1

Heat oven to 375°.

2

CRUST: In large bowl, stir together crumbs, pecans, butter, nutmeg, cloves and salt until mixture is evenly moistened. Press mixture over bottom and up sides of 9" glass pie plate.

3

Bake in 375° oven for 12 to 13 minutes or until lightly borwned. Transfer pie plate to wire rack. Let cool completely.

4

FILLING: In medium-size heavy-bottomed saucepan, stir together 1/3 cup of the sugar, gelatin and salt. Stir in the water and egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent eggs cooking on bottom and side of pan, until slightly thickened and temperature registers 160° on instant-read thermometer, about 8 minutes. Immediately strain through fine-mesh sieve into large bowl. Stir in rum, brandy, vanilla, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside.

5

In clean bowl with clean beaters, beat powdered egg white mixture on medium speed until foamy. Gradually beat in remaining 1/3 cup sugar on medium-high. Continue to beat until stiff but glossy peaks form. Set aside.

6

In large bowl, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.

7

Place bowl containing gelatin mixture in larger bowl filled with ice water. Stir with whisk until mixture mounds slightly, about 2 minutes. Quickly stir one-quarter of egg whites into gelatin mixture to lighten. Gently fold in remaining beaten whites, then fold in whipped cream. Pour into cooled pie shell. Cover with inverted large bowl. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

8

GARNISH: Dip one end of each pecan into melted chocolate. Place on waxed paper-lined baking pan. Let dry.

9

Reserve 16 dipped pecans. Place remaining dipped pecans in food processor. Pulse until coarsely ground.

10

To serve, sprinkly ground pecans around edge of pie. Decorate with reserved dipped pecans.

A particularly nutty crust, packed with pecans cradles our Eggnog Chiffon Pie; a touch of brandy accents the light-as-air filling.