Book #13

13) Jones, Shane. LIGHT BOXES. Penguin Books: 2010.

Odd, sad, little fablelike novel about a town where flight in all its forms (balloon, kites, etc) are banned, where children go missing, and where it is the unending cold and gloom of a perpetual February.

Valentine Red Silk Pecan Pie

If lightly chocolate flavored red tinted cake is RED VELVET, then I'm saying a red tinted chocolate pecan pie can be called RED SILK!

And I baked it in a cinnamon-spiced heart-shaped crust. (Actually, I made one small 6" heart shaped pie and one regular 9" round dish).

And, yes, I arranged extra pecan halfs in a concentric design on top of the pie.

And I'm blaming the library if this Valentine's Day treat for B. doesn't turn out. :)

Due to snowy/icy weather, the library was opening late this morning. First message said not until noon. So, I figured I had time to do my baking before then! However, got called in at about 10:30, and had to leave the pies in the oven with instructions for Coleen to pull them out when they're done. :)

VALENTINE RED SILK PECAN PIE
Pastry:
1 1/2c flour
dash salt
1 TB sugar
1 TS cinnamon mix above together
cut in 2 sticks butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
add 1/4 to 1/2 c cold water and mix
chill dough before using
(makes enough for 2 9" round deep dish pie crusts)

Pecan filling:
1 1/2 c light corn syrup
1 stick butter
1 1/2 c sugar (I used Mexican Piloncillo, unrefined sugar that is pressed into a cone shape. It tastes very similar to brown sugar with a molasses flavor)

melt above over low heat; cool slightly

6 medium eggs slightly beaten. dash vanilla. dash salt. red food coloring. Add to above and stir.

1 1/2 c pecan pieces. Add to above and stir.

3/4 c dark chocolate chips. Mix with a couple tablespoons of pecan filling, divide and pour into bottom of pie crusts. (can also be added to and mixed throughout the filling if prefered)

Fill pie crusts with filling mix.

1 cup pecan halves. Arrange on top of pies.

Bake in 350 degree oven. 45-50 minutes until set.

Lol...my pies turned out a very anatomical shade of dark viscous red. (and out of the oven, C reports that the heart shaped is perfect, but the round pie got a bit crispy crusted. Oh well.)

Fyi: I am aware, pecan pie is NOT health food! ;)