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If you've never had a pumpkin pie, you don't know what you are missing. To many Americans, the appearance of a pumpkin pie on the table means Autumn and Winter are here. It is traditionally served at Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Pumpkin pie is one of the easiest pie you can make, too!And you probably take canned pumpkin for granted. You're there, the can is there, there's a pumpkin on the label... open it and mix it up with spices to make a pie, right? Ah, but a pumpkin pie made from a fresh pumpkin tastes so much better than the glop that was processed last year! Here's how to do it, complete instructions in easy steps and completely illustrated. And it is much easier than you think, using my "patented" tips and tricks!
You can use either a fresh pumpkin or canned
pumpkin. Fresh, obviously tastes much better! "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 8 inches in diameter.
Just like selecting any squash, look for one that is firm, no bruises or soft spots, and a good orange color.
For directions on preparing the pumpkin, click here. The rest of the recipe below assumes you have already cooked your pumpkin or are using canned pumpkin (which is already cooked)
Here is what cooked fresh pumpkin looks like! You'll need 3 cups of pumpkin puree.
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!
It is also time to start preheating the oven. Turn it on and set it to 400 F (200 C, for those in Europe) . Click here for illustrated pie crust instructions! (it will open in a new window)
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:
Mix well using a hand blender or mixer.
I like a deep, full pie, so I fill it right
up to about one quarter to one half inch from the very top.
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.
Here is the finished pie, right out of the oven:
I use a blunt table knife to test the pie. The knife below has already been stuck in the pie, and you see it comes out pretty clean, when the pie is done.
And enjoy!
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