Ruth Ellens Chocolate Pie Food

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crust: Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor or crush in a resealable plastic bag until they are fine crumbs. Add the crumbs to a bowl and stir in the melted butter and sugar. Press the mixture into a pie pan and bake until set, about 4 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• For the filling: Stir together the cornstarch, sugar and salt in a large saucepan over medium heat. Pour in the milk and beaten egg yolks. Cook, stirring, until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, butter and vanilla. Pour the chocolate filling into the cooled shell until it's filled to the brim. (You may have some left over.) Smooth the top of the pie, then gently press a piece of wax paper over the filling and chill until set, 3 to 4 hours. Store any leftover filling covered in the fridge for another use or snacking.
• For the meringue: Add the sugar, corn syrup, 2 tablespoons water and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved completely. Remove from the heat.
• Add the egg whites to the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat the egg whites on medium speed until frothy, about 1 minute. Add the cream of tartar and the remaining pinch salt and continue beating for 30 seconds. With the machine running on medium speed, drizzle the hot syrup mixture into the mixing bowl in a constant stream, then turn the speed to high and whip until the mixture forms stiff peaks (about 3 minutes).
• Remove the chilled pie from the fridge and discard the wax paper. Spread the meringue over the top of the chilled pie, making sure to get it to the edges. With the back of a spoon, lightly press into the meringue, lifting the spoon away, to create peaks. Toast the meringue with a brulee torch to the desired color. Slice and serve.

ELLEN'S CHERRY-CHOCOLATE PIE

Steps:

• 1. Prepare pudding as directed on package (do not use instant). Cool for 15 minutes.
• 2. Pour pudding into pre-baked pie shell. Chill for 3-4 hours.
• 3. Spoon cherry pie filling over chilled pie, covering entire top of pie. Garnish with whipped cream as desired. Serve.
• 4. Refrigerate any leftover portions.
• 5. To prebake pie crust for a filled pie: Prick the bottom of the pie crust with a fork, covering well. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit and place into pie shell. Weigh the paper down with pie weights or about a pound of dry beans. Bake in a preheated 400º oven, directly on rack, for 10-15 minutes until edges are starting to brown. Remove from oven and remove the parchment paper and weights. Let crust cool before filling.

CHOCOLATE PIE

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Pulse the cookies in a food processor until finely chopped. With the processor running, add the butter. Press the crumbs into the bottoms of four 4 1/4-inch disposable aluminum pie pans. Bake until set, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
• For the filling: Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the milk and egg yolks. Stir over medium heat until the mixture just barely comes to a boil and becomes thick, 6 to 8 minutes. The second it starts to bubble and thicken (it should be thick like pudding), remove it from the heat. Add the chocolate, butter and vanilla, then stir until everything is beautifully combined. Pour the pudding into the pie crusts and place in the fridge, uncovered, to chill for 4 hours. Serve topped with whipped cream.

CHOCOLATE PIE

Steps:

• For the crust: In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers and sugar until crumbs form. Pour in the butter and continue to pulse until the crumbs are coated. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Set aside.
• For the filling: In a small saucepan, heat the milk until hot but not simmering. To a medium saucepan, add the sugar, flour and cocoa and whisk together well. Lightly beat the egg yolks (saving the whites for the meringue) and pour into the flour mixture. Slowly add the hot milk, stirring. This will create a paste in the beginning, ensuring that the chocolate and flour blend smoothly. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until very thick, about 5 minutes. The mixture will start to bubble sporadically; continue to stir and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter, vanilla and salt. Stir until the butter is completely incorporated.
• Pour the filling into the crust and chill in the refrigerator, about 45 minutes.
• For the meringue: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites with the salt until stiff. With the mixer running, gradually add the sugar and beat until the whites are smooth and glossy. Spread the meringue on the pie, reaching the edges of the crust to seal in the filling. Bake until brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely before serving.