Mississippi Delta Blues Strawberry Pie Food

STRAWN'S EAT SHOP'S STRAWBERRY ICEBOX PIE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Pulse the flour and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the shortening and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse cornmeal. Add the ice water, then continue to pulse until the mixture becomes a shaggy dough. Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into an 11-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick), then fit into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim away any excess dough, crimp the edges and prick the bottom all over with a fork. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of the pie with foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the bottom is just starting to set and the edges are just starting to brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and continue to bake until the crust is golden brown and cooked through, about 10 more minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze: Whisk the eggs with the granulated sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons milk until smooth, then whisk into the egg mixture. Warm the remaining 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk and the melted butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until steaming, 2 minutes. Slowly whisk the warm milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, then return the entire mixture to the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the red food coloring.
• Spoon the glaze into the pie crust and spread over the bottom and up the sides. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, 2 hours.
• Spread the berries in the glazed crust. Dust with confectioners' sugar.
• Make the topping: Beat the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread over the pie and top with the strawberry half.

MISSISSIPPI DELTA PORK TAMALES

Steps:

• Fill a bowl with hot water and soak the husks to soften.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, mix 2 tbsp chili powder, the tomato paste and the cayenne powder into 6 cups cold water. To this mixture, add the pork.
• Bring to a boil, cover and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the meat is very tender, about 3 hours. Transfer to a plate, reserving the broth. Shred the meat and transfer to a bowl.
• In a medium saucepan, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium heat. Stir in 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, cumin and garlic powder and saute stirring frequently for about 30 seconds. Add in 1 cup of the reserved broth and then stir in the meat.
• In a large bowl, mix the masa, the remaining 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of the broth. Using a wooden spoon, beat in the remaining 1 1/2 cups oil.
• Drain the husks and pat dry. Working with one husk at a time, spread about 1/4 cup of the masa mixture down the center. Top with 2 tbsp meat.
• Fold the long sides of the husk together and roll into a skinny log, making sure the masa mixture completely surrounds the meat filling. Fold up the bottom, creating a package that is open on top.
• Loosely tie three tamales together with a piece of kitchen string, making 12 bundles.
• Place a heatproof 2-cup glass measuring cup upside down in the center of an 8-qt stockpot. Stand the tamale bundles, open ends up, around the cup. Fill the pot with the remaining broth and water to reach halfway up the sides of the tamales.
• Bring to a boil, cover then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the masa is firm and pulls away from the husk easily, about 1 hour.
• Serve hot with some of the cooking liquid.

MISSISSIPPI MUD PIE

Steps:

• Mix margarine, flour and nuts; pat into a 13 x 9 inch pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 30 minutes until lightly browned.
• First Layer:
• Mix confectioners sugar, Cool Whip, and cream cheese until smooth.
• Spread over cooled crust.
• Second Layer:
• Beat instant chocolate pudding, instant vanilla pudding, and milk until thickened.
• Careful spread over first layer.
• Cool until set in refrigerator.
• Top with remaining Cool Whip.
• Sprinkle shaved Chocolate on top for decoration.
• Refrigerate or freeze for up to two months.

CAJUN CAVIAR

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and mix well.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but overnight is best.
• Keep chilled until ready to serve with tortilla chips, corn chips or crackers.