For example: I could have sworn that my Grandma Smith's graham cracker pie was a secret family recipe. I found out today that yes, it is a family recipe, but it is not a secret.
WHAT???
It does take a bit of the mystery and excitement out of life, but on the other hand, that means I get to share this deliciousness with all of you and you can share it with everyone you know - yay!
Here is the recipe as it was given to me by my mother:
Grandma Smith's Graham Cracker Pie
Crust:
30 graham cracker squares, crushed
1 1/2 C brown sugar
6 Tbl butter - may be melted
Mix well together. Reserve 1 C of mixture, line 2 pie plates with the balance.
Filling:
1 1/2 C brown sugar
4 HEAPING Tbl flour
6 egg yolks, well beaten (reserve egg whites)
4 C milk
2 Tbl butter
2 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt (approx 1/8 tsp)
Cook in double boiler until thick. Use beater occasionally while it cooks to make a smooth pudding. This can take quite awhile, as much as a 1/2 hour. Pour into lined pie plates while pudding is hot.
Beat the 6 egg whites until stiff. Add 6 Tbl powdered sugar and spread on top of pies, sprinkle remaining crumbs on top of meringue.
Bake at 325 degrees till meringue is browned.
Additional notes:
From Grandma Smith - don't be afraid to heap the tablespoons of flour. I start the pudding cooking and then make the crust. You don't have to constantly beat the pudding. Just use a hand mixer occasionally until it is thick.
From Mom - don't make substitutions in the ingredients. Always use brown sugar in the amount listed. Granulated sugar will not work. I wouldn't try any of the sugar substitutes, either. You can use margarine in place of butter. I'm not sure about using skim milk, you might not want to do that. If you don't have a double boiler that's big enough, just set a saucepan inside another larger pan with water in it. That works just as well. This sounds complicated, but it really isn't. Just read it all the way through first before you start. You'll do fine.
Thanks Mom! It turned out just right!
