Mom's Chocolate Pie

I am very fortunate that my mom is an excellent cook!  My dad was also a very good cook!  I wonder why that gene didn't get passed down to me??  Oh, well, I do love to try so today I thought I would try one of mine and dad's favorites -- Mom's chocolate pie!!  And it's been a while since I have blogged about cooking anything -- it seems like every time I start to blog, something happens.  We live in a busy world, I guess.  But today, I have the house to myself (well me and Daisy -- we're grand dog sitting this weekend LOL) so my mixer was happy to see me :) 

Now, in starting with the pie, you have to start with a pie crust, right?  My mom always made hers, but of course, I took the easy way out and bought a pie crust.  I did have to put it in the oven and cook it, so does that it make it at least a little homemade??? LOL

So however you chose, cook your pie crust according to directions.

Now we need to start with the filling.  First we need to separate the eggs.  I'm sure my mom would separate using the shells, but I chose to use my trusty egg separator apparatus LOL  Whoever invented this jewel of an kitchen accessory should be put on a pedestal LOL 

So take 4 eggs and separate the egg whites and the yolks.

Now I have this one pot that is the only one that I will use to make pies.  It is really heavy duty and I don't have to worry about stuff sticking as much.  That's a good thing :) 

After you have the eggs separated, beat your yolks and then add 1 1/2 cups of milk.

Now for the dry ingredients:
Mix together a 1 1/2 sugar along with about 3 heaping tablespoons of flour.  Mix together and then add about 3 heaping tablespoons of Hershey's cocoa.

Now another thing about my mother is she never measured anything!!  That I did inherit that from her.  So when I say about -- well I just kind of guess.  If you stump your toe and add a little more, it's okay.  Just be careful with the cocoa -- too much will make it bitter.

Now for the cooking stage:

Cook your milk/egg mixture on medium high.  Once it starts getting hot, you will want to stir it very often or continually.  Once it starts to boil, add the dry mixture.

Now it is important to continually stir -- no one wants burnt chocolate and it will stick very, very quickly!  I didn't keep up with the time, but I would say I probably cooked this at least 5 - 8 minutes. Just remember -- KEEP STIRRING!! :)  It will start to thicken up -- my rule is when I can pick the spoon up and it's really slow falling off the spoon, it's ready.  But hey, if you take it off too soon and it doesn't set up -- just eat it with a spoon!  I won't tell...

Now pour it into your prepared shell.

And now......the hard part for me.......the meringue.....

I have a love/hate relationship with meringue.  Sometimes it works for me....sometimes it doesn't.  I think today was a good day.

So make sure that your egg whites are at room temperature before you start whipping them up.  I think where I have messed up before is that I don't have the patience to wait on it to get done.  So I took my time today :)  I started beating the eggs on a medium speed.

Oh, and add a little bit of cream of tarter, too... about forgot that step.  I just added about a 1/4 tsp.  Beat until they are soft and well mixed.

Now we have to add the sugar -- the general rule is 2 TBS sugar to each egg -- so 4 eggs -- 8 tablespoons of sugar.  The trick is to add the sugar SLOWLY!  Don't get in a hurry.  You want the sugar to completely dissolve.  Beat with your mixer until stiff peaks form.  Then spoon the meringue on top of your pie filling.  Make sure to close all the edges.

Put it in the oven just to brown the meringue.
And then here you go!!!

At least it looks somewhat pretty LOL  It sure tastes like mom's and according to my brother-in-law, it tastes like his mom's did too!!  So that makes it a doubly good recipe.  Every family gathering, I try to make one for Dennis and his brothers since their mom is watching over them in Heaven.  I think her and my dad would be pretty proud of this pie!! 

Happy cooking!!
Jannie