4/15/09

Spring Has Finally Sprung

I want to let everyone know that Spring has finally sprung in my corner of the world. I want to let everyone know to check out Deal Seeking Mom and Kingdom First mom. For great frugal ideas. They are wonderful bloggers to learn some great money saving advice from.


The next recipe featured will be....

Chocolate Pie


Filling
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
6 large egg yolks
2 cups low-fat (1%) milk
1/2 cup chilled whipping cream
6 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon dark rum
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Crumb Crust

Topping
1 cup chilled whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon dark rum
Chocolate curls

PreparationFor Filling:
Whisk first 4 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan to blend. Whisk in egg yolks to form thick paste. Gradually whisk in milk, then cream. Whisk over medium-high heat until mixture thickens and boils 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until smooth. Whisk in rum and vanilla. Cool 5 minutes, whisking occasionally. Transfer filling to frozen crust. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.

For Topping:
Beat first 3 ingredients in large bowl until firm peaks form. Spoon whipped cream into pastry bag fitted with large star tip. Pipe rosettes around edge of pie. Garnish with chocolate curls. (Can be made 4 hours ahead; chill.)



This is not a frugal pie, but with it just being easter some of us may have leftover cream and such.

4/10/09

Happy Easter To ALL!!!

In the spirit of Easter, here is a pie festive for the occasion


STRAWBERRY EASTER PIE

1 1/4 c. crushed round buttery crackers
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp. milk
1 pkg. instant sm. vanilla pudding
1 (4 1/2 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed
1/4 c. melted butter
2 tbsp. sugar
1 c. or more of halved strawberries
1 1/2 c. cold milk

Roll out crumbs, mix with melted butter. Bake in 8 x 8 cake pan at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Beat cream cheese with 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons milk. Spread over crumbs, spread strawberries over cream cheese layer. Beat pudding and 1 1/2 cups milk until well blended, fold in 1 cup Cool Whip. Spoon over strawberries. Chill 2 hours. Can garnish with Cool Whip and/or a strawberry. Can be doubled for 9 x 13 pan.