Pumpkin Baked Alaska Pie Food

BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Spoon ice cream into a 1-1/2-qt. bowl lined with plastic wrap; freeze until firm. Line a greased 9-in. round baking pan with waxed paper; grease the paper and set aside. Place a clean kitchen towel over a wire rack; dust towel with confectioners' sugar. Set aside., In a large bowl, beat the eggs, 3 tablespoons water and vanilla. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating until thick and lemon-colored. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; fold into egg mixture. , Gently spoon into prepared pan. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Immediately run a knife around edge of pan; invert onto prepared wire rack. Gently peel off waxed paper; cool completely., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and remaining sugar and water; beat on low speed with a portable mixer for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until mixture reaches 160°, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add rum extract; beat until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes. , Place cake on an ungreased foil-lined baking sheet; unmold ice cream and place over cake. Immediately spread meringue over ice cream and cake, sealing it to foil; sprinkle with almonds. Freeze until ready to serve, up to 24 hours. , Just before serving, heat with a creme brulee torch or broil on lowest oven rack position for 3-5 minutes or until meringue is light browned. Serve immediately.

PUMPKIN BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the ice cream and pumpkin pie spice. Transfer to a 1-1/2-qt. bowl lined with plastic wrap; freeze until set., Line a greased 9-in. round baking pan with waxed paper; grease the paper and set aside. Place a clean kitchen towel over a wire rack; dust towel with confectioners' sugar; set aside., In a large bowl, beat eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons water and vanilla until thick and lemon-colored. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; fold into egg mixture. Pour into prepared pan. , Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Immediate run a knife around the edge of the pan; invert onto prepared kitchen towel. Gently peel off waxed paper; cool completely., Place cake on an ungreased freezer-to-oven-safe platter or foil-lined baking sheet. Unmold ice cream onto cake; remove plastic wrap. Return to freezer., In a heavy saucepan, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and remaining sugar and water; beat on low speed with a portable mixer for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until mixture reaches 160°, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add extract; beat until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. , Spread meringue over frozen ice cream and cake, sealing meringue to the platter; sprinkle with almonds. Freeze until ready to serve, up to 24 hours., Just before serving, broil on lowest oven rack position for 3-5 minutes or until meringue is light browned. Serve immediately.

PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Place the pumpkin in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins or until tender. Drain pumpkin; let cool.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a 22cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Chill for 15 mins. Line the pastry with baking parchment and baking beans, then bake for 15 mins. Remove the beans and paper, and cook for a further 10 mins until the base is pale golden and biscuity. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
• Increase oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Push the cooled pumpkin through a sieve into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, salt, nutmeg and half the cinnamon. Mix in the beaten eggs, melted butter and milk, then add to the pumpkin purée and stir to combine. Pour into the tart shell and cook for 10 mins, then reduce the temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Continue to bake for 35-40 mins until the filling has just set.
• Leave to cool, then remove the pie from the tin. Mix the remaining cinnamon with the icing sugar and dust over the pie. Serve chilled.

PUMPKIN BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• 1. In a bowl, combine the ice cream and pumpkin pie spice. (or just use pumpkin ice cream).Transfer to a- 1 1/2 quart bowl lined with the new quick release foil; freeze until set. Line a 9-inch round cake pan with release foil; release side up , and set aside. Place a clean towel over a wire rack; dust towel with powdered sugar; set aside.
• 2. Beat eggs in a bowl with 1/2 c. sugar, 3 T. water and vanilla until thick and lemon-colored. Combine flour, baking powder and salt, fold into egg mixture. Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 375^ for 12-14 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Immediately run a knife around the edge of the pan; invert onto prepared towel. Gently peel off foil if necessary; cool completely.
• 3. Place cake on oven proof platter. Unmold ice cream onto cake; remove foil. Return to freezer.
• 4. In a heavy saucepan, or double boiler, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and remaining sugar and water; beat on low speed with portable mixer for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until mixture reaches 160^, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. Spread meringue over frozen ice cream cake, sealing meringue to the platter, sprinkle with almonds.
• 5. Freeze until ready to serve, up to 24 hours. (so you can make ahead). Just before serving, broil on lowest rack position for 3-5 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Serve immediately.
• 6. Note: You can use 2/3 c. sifted all purpose flour, less 1 T. instead of the cake flour, if necessary.

PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Make pastry dough as directed. Roll out dough into a 14-inch round on a lightly floured surface and fit into a 9-inch glass pie plate (4-cup capacity). Crimp edge decoratively and prick bottom all over. Chill 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375°°F.
• Line shell with foil and fill with pie weights. Bake in middle of oven 20 minutes. Remove weights and foil and bake shell until pale golden, 6 to 10 minutes more. Cool in pan on a rack. Whisk together pumpkin, cream, milk, eggs, brown sugar, spices, and salt, then pour into shell.
• Bake pie in middle of oven 45 to 50 minutes, or until filling is set but center still trembles slightly. (Filling will continue to set as pie cools.) Transfer to rack and cool completely.

PUMPKIN BAKED ALASKA PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Allow crust to thaw for 15 minutes.
• Line the inside of the crust with aluminum foil and a layer of pie weights or dried beans.
• Bake on the middle rack of the preheated oven until edge of crust is golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Combine pumpkin, 2/3 cup sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg in a bowl. Place egg yolks in a small bowl.
• Place marshmallows in a bowl of boiling water. Stir well until melted. Add pumpkin mixture; stir until heated through.
• Spoon about 1/4 of the pumpkin-marshmallow mixture into the bowl of egg yolks; stir back into the original mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Beat nondairy topping with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold into the chilled pumpkin mixture. Pour into the pie crust. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze pie until set, 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
• Beat egg whites and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl with clean beaters until soft peaks form. Add 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at time, beating well after each addition until meringue is stiff and glossy. Fold in vanilla extract with a spatula. Spread meringue over the frozen pie.
• Bake in the preheated oven until meringue peaks are golden, 1 to 2 minutes.

THANKSGIVING PUMPKIN PIE (USES FRESH PUMPKIN)

Steps:

• (To make your own freshly cooked pumpkin, quarter 1-2 small pie pumpkins, de-stem, seed and de-string them. Then steam them in a steamer over boiling water until very tender--the skin will peel right off. Then mash them using a stick blender or a food processor-hand mashing will somtimes produce lumps/strings so unless you like that, go for the stick blender/processor).
• Preheat oven to 400°F and have ready a pie shield and a large rimmed cookie sheet.
• Line a DEEP DISH glass pie plate with the pie pastry round, fluting the edges decoratively as desired.
• Combine in order the pumpkin, sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Lightly beat eggs together with both milks, then add to the pumpkin mixture, stirring well to combine--it will be rather thin.
• Pour as much filling as you can into unbaked pie pastry and bake at 400°F for 50 minutes (or until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out without any goo on it). If there is any extra filling use to fill a smaller mini pie plate or discard.
• NOTE: Set cookie sheet on the rack below the rack you are setting your pie plate on in order to catch any drips.
• If the pie edges start overbrowning, place a pie shield or a ring of foil over the edges--this will be needed or not depending on the type of pastry you use.
• Pie should be served chilled and should be stored in the refrigerator.

PUMPKIN CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Grind graham crackers in a food processor (or, if you don't have a food processor, place them in a large Ziploc and pound 'em with a rolling pin.) Add powdered sugar and melted butter and process until totally combined.
• Press into the bottom and sides of a pie pan until nice and firm. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until warm and "set." Remove from oven and allow crust to cool completely.
• In a medium saucepan, mix dry pudding mix with half-and-half and cream. Add spices. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly and thick.
• Remove from heat and stir in whiskey, if using. Add pumpkin and stir to combine. Place lid on pot and set aside to cool. When cool enough, place pot in the fridge to cool completely.
• When mixture is cool, remove from the fridge. In a mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup heavy cream and brown sugar. Beat until very light and fluffy. Fold in pumpkin cream mixture until combined.
• Pour into cooled crust.
• Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight. Serve with graham crackers crumbled on top.

PUMPKIN PIE MADE FROM A REAL PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Pie pumpkins "are smaller, sweeter, less grainy textured pumpkins than the usual jack-o-lantern types. Grocery stores usually carry them in late September through December in the U.S. Note: the Libby's can of cooked pumpkin is just there for reference - it is the small can, so that gives you an idea of the size of a typical pie pumpkin. They're only about 6 to 8 inches in diameter (about 20 to 24 inches in circumference). If you're in a pinch and can't find a pie pumpkin, here's a tip: butternut squash taste almost the same! Commercial canned pumpkin is from a variety of butternut, not true pumpkins! If you DO use a regular Jack O' Lantern type pumpkin, you may need to add about 25% more sugar and run the cooked pumpkin through a blender or food processor to help smooth it out.
• Just like selecting any squash, look for one that is firm, no bruises or soft spots, and a good orange color. One 6" pie pumpkin usually makes one 10 inch deep dish pie and a bit extra; or 2 9 inch shallow pies!
• Wash the exterior of the pumpkin in cool or warm water, no soap.
• Cut the pumpkin in half. A serrated knife and a sawing motion works best - a smooth knife is more likely to slip and hurt you! A visitor suggests using a hand saw.
• And scrape the insides. You want to get out that stringy, dangly stuff that coats the inside surface. I find a heavy ice cream scoop works great for this.
• Note: SAVE THE SEEDS:.
• The seeds can be used either to plant pumpkins next year, or roasted to eat this year! Place them in a bowl of water and rub them between your hands. then pick out the orange buts (throw that away) and drain off the water. Spread them out on a clean towel or paper towel to dry and they're ready to save for next year's planting or roast.
• There are several ways to cook the pumpkin; just choose use your preferred method. Most people have microwaves and a stove, so I'll describe both of those methods here. But others make good arguments in favor of using a pressure cooker or baking in the oven. At the end of this document, I've included alternative instructions to replace step 4, if you'd rather use a different method.
• Method 1 - Put it in a microwaveable bowl.
• Remove the stem, and put the pumpkin into a microwaveable. You may need to cut the pumpkin further to make it fit. The fewer the number of pieces, the easier it will to scoop out the cooked pumpkin afterwards.
• Put a couple of inches of water in the bowl, cover it, and put in the microwave.
• Method 2 - Steam on the stovetop.
• You can also cook it on the stovetop; it takes about the same length of time in a steamer (20 to 30 minutes). I use a double pot steamer, but you could use an ordinary large pot with a steamer basket inside.
• Either way, cook for 15 minutes on high, check to see if it is soft, then repeat in smaller increments of time until it is soft enough to scoop the innards out. Normally it takes 20 or 30 minutes in total.
• Whether you cook the pumpkin on the stove, microwave, or even the oven, once it is cooked until it is soft, it is easy to scoop out the guts with a broad, smooth spoon, (such as a tablespoon). Use the spoon to gently lift and scoop the cooked pumpkin out of the skin. It should separate easily an in fairly large chucks, if the pumpkin is cooked enough.
• Many times the skin or rind will simply lift off with your fingers. I'll bet you didn't realize making your own pumpkin glop -- err, "puree" was this easy!
• Note: there are many varieties of pumpkin and some make better pies that other (due to sugar content, flavor, texture and water content. Drier, sweeter, fine-grained pies; the small (8" across) ones called "pie pumpkins" are best.
• Watery pumpkin?.
• If your pumpkin puree has standing, free water, you may want to let it sit for 30 minutes and then pour off any free water. That will help prevent you pie from being too watery! Beyond, that, I have not found that the water makes a difference - I wouldn't be TOO concerned about it!
• Tip from a visitor: "I make my own pumpkin pies from scratch all the time. To eliminate watery pumpkin I strain my pureed pumpkin through a cloth overnight. If I use frozen pumpkin I do the same again as it thaws out. It works great and my pies cook beautifully.".
• Another visitor reported success using coffee filters in a sieve to drain out excess water.
• Again, don't go to great lengths to remove water; the recipe accounts for the fact that fresh pumpkin is more watery than canned!
• To get a nice, smooth consistency, I use a Pillsbury hand blender. By blending it, you give the pie a smooth, satiny texture; rather than the rough graininess that is typical of cooked squashes.
• A regular blender works, too (unless you made a few frozen daiquiris and drank them first.). Or a food processor or even just a hand mixer with time and patience.
• With the hand blender, it just takes 2 or 3 minutes!
• Another visitor says using a food mill, like a Foley Food Mill, with a fine screen, accomplishes the blending/pureeing very well, too!
• The pumpkin is now cooked and ready for the pie recipe. Get the frozen daiquiris out from step 7 and take a break! :) You may freeze the pie filling.
• Yes, I know there are ready-made pie crusts in the frozen section at the store, but they really are bland and doughy. A flaky crust is easy to make! Again, note that unless you use large, deep dish pie plates, you may have enough for 2 pies.
• It is also time to start preheating the oven. Turn it on and set it to 425°F (210°C, for those in Europe) (see my pie crust recipe).
• All the hard work is behind you! Here's where it gets really easy. If you start with a fresh 8" pie pumpkin, you will get about 3 cups of cooked, mashed pumpkin. The right amount of ingredients for this is as follows:.
• 1 cup sugar - or 1 cup Splenda, or 3/4 cup honey (honey may make a heavier pie, though).
• 1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves.
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice.
• one half teaspoon ground ginger.
• one half teaspoon salt (optional, I don't use any).
• 4 large eggs.
• 3 cups pumpkin glop (ok -- "sieved, cooked pumpkin").
• 1.5 cans (12oz each) of evaporated milk (I use the nonfat version).
• Mix well using a hand blender or mixer.
• Notes: The vast majority of people tell me this is the best pumpkin pie they've ever had. It's light and fluffy - however -- if you want a heavy, more dense pie, use 3 eggs instead of 4 and 1 can of evaporated milk instead of 1.5).
• like a deep, full pie, so I fill it right up to about one quarter to one half inch from the very top.
• Don't be surprised if the mixture is very runny! It may start as a soupy liquid, but it will firm up nicely in the oven! Note: the pie crust is brown because I used whole wheat flour! Tastes the same, but is healthier.
• TIP: What do you do if you end up with more filling than will fit in your pie crust(s)? Easy! Of course, you can make another, smaller pie crust and fill a small pie pan -- or just grease any baking dish, of a size that the extra filling will fill to a depth of about 2 inches (see the photo at right), and pour the extra filling inches then bake it. It will be a crustless pumpkin pie that kids especially love!
• Bake at 425°F (210°C ) for the first 15 minutes, then turn the temperature down to 350°F (175°C) and bake another 45 to 60 minutes, until a clean knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
• And enjoy! Warm or chilled, with whipped cream , ice cream or nothing at all - it's great!
• I use a blunt table knife to test the pie. The one at left has already been stuck in the pie, and you see it comes out pretty clean, when the pie is done.

FROM SCRATCH PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• For the pumpkin: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Remove the stem from the pumpkin and scrape out the insides, discarding the seeds. Cut the pumpkin in half and lay the pieces cut-side down on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Rub canola oil all over the skin and bake until fork-tender, about 1 hour. Let cool.
• For the easy pie crust: While the pumpkin is cooking, make the crust. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add in the butter and work into the dough with a fork until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in just enough cold water (4 to 5 tablespoons) with a fork just until the flour is moistened. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a ball and flatten slightly. Wrap one ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for another use.
• Roll out the remaining dough ball on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch round. Transfer to a 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Fold the overhangs under and crimp decoratively. Pierce the dough all over with a fork. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
• Line the crust with foil, fill with dried beans or pie weights and bake until the sides are set, about 12 minutes. Remove the foil and beans. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• For the filling: Scoop out the pulp from the roasted pumpkin and puree in a food processor until smooth (you should have about 4 cups). Add the condensed milk, cream, cornstarch, molasses, canola oil, cinnamon, ginger, salt and eggs and combine thoroughly.
• Pour the filling into the crust and bake until the filling is set in the center, about 1 hour. Transfer the pie to a rack and cool for 30 minutes. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

PERFECT PUMPKIN PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Whisk pumpkin puree, condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt together in a medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue baking until a knife inserted 1 inch from the crust comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.