December 22, 2009

TWD- Puff Pastry Pecan Pie (my 200th post)

{printable recipe here}

Christmas is here. We are overloaded with goodies, enjoying the perfect Arizona "winter", and loving the excitement our little man has for "Chissmas tine" (as he says it!) This week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe sounded delicious, especially since I tried pecan pie for the first time last week and loved it (you can find the original recipe at Beth's blog). That's right, I'd never tried it before. Sometime I decided I didn't like it and so I've never eaten it, heading instead for the apple or berry pies. But Pecan Pie has been redeemed for my palate, not unlike guacamole which was a smash hit when I finally tried it when I was about 18.

With all the Christmas craziness, though, I didn't have time to make a pie crust. So I rolled out a piece of puff pastry, trimmed the edges, glued the strips on to make a little wall, and crisped it in the oven for a few. Meanwhile, I prepped half the filling, added a little flour, and cooked it until it boiled on the stove. Then I stirred in the egg and vanilla, poured the sauce into the shell, and sprinkled it with nuts. The good news is that the whole thing only takes a few minutes to make, even with two crazy kids in the kitchen. ANYONE can make this, really! And while this isn't exactly a traditional pecan pie, you can't really go wrong with butter, nuts, and brown sugar. Then go ahead and top it with whipped cream. Like Ina would say, "How bad can that be?" And while I'm glad to know I actually love pecan pie, I guess my "skinny jeans goals" should just be grateful it took me a while to figure that out!

PS This is indeed my 200th post (so you get a picture of my little man and baby strawberry!). I guess the picture is pretty fitting since she's the most delicious thing I've made since I started this blog. You can click here to see some of my favorite recipes so far- and admist many buttery, delicious treats there are even a few salads (promise!). Thanks for reading along and have a very Merry Christmas!

Puff Pastry Pecan Pie
{printable recipe here}
from Anne Strawberry
adapted from Baking by Dorie Greenspan

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
3/8 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons flour
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup pecan halves or pieces

Preheat the oven to 350.

Flour a board and roll out the puff pastry to about 11 by 11. Trim a 1 inch strip off each side. Place large sheet on a lined baking sheet.

Whip one egg with 1 teaspoon of water. Using a pastry brush, apply the egg wash to the borders of the puff pastry and gently place the strips on top to adhere them (forming a frame). Dock the center of the pastry with a fork, using the tines to prick all over the dough every 1/4 inch or so. Brush the top of the edges with the egg wash to promote browning. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

In a medium saucepan, combine the syrup, brown sugar, butter, flour, and salt. Whisk over medium heat until the mixture boils then set aside for a few minutes. Then, while whisking, slowly pour in the egg wash and the other egg. Whisk in the vanilla until everything is thoroughly combined. Carefully spoon sauce over the pastry shell, filling the created cavity. Sprinkle with nuts and bake for 10 more minutes, or until the pastry is browned and the filling it set.

Cut and serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

18 comments:

  1. Puff pastry! What a great idea! Your pie looks delicious!

    Your little ones are just so precious!

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  2. Your version of the pie sounds wonderful! I skipped it because my husband doesn't like pecans, but I feel like he'd like pecan pie if he'd just try it.

    What a sweet photo of your little ones!

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  3. yeah i dont think buttery pastries measure up to that cute lil strawberry.

    Happy Holidays.

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  4. That is one adorable little strawberry! :) What a fun adaptation to the recipe. You make it sound so easy!

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  5. i think, the pie is can to be more good, if you added some strawberry jam or topping on it

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  6. Sweet! Congratulations on your 200th post! Yay! Love the puff pastry pecan pie. Great idea.

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  7. Cute kiddos, and what a great take on pecan pie! Congrats on your 200th post.

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  8. Adorable kids. Love your original take on Dorie's pecan pie. Do skinny jeans and pecan pie mix? Hope so. :-)I like both!

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  9. What a fabulous, easy way to make this. I love pecans and I had never had but a bite or two of pecan pie before. I made little minis because I knew no one else here would eat it.
    But the puff pastry is brilliant!
    And--KEY-UTE kidlets!
    Congrats on 200 posts! I should count mine, I have no idea how many I have!
    And lastly, Merry Christmas to you and your family! Try to get through that horrible AZ winter weather! ;) (We lived in Tucson for 5 years and loved to brag during the winter!)

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  10. What a brilliant idea. (And the kids are pretty cute, too!) Congratulations on your 200th.

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  11. Fantastic idea to make it quick and easy. Sooo creative.

    Cute little man with his strawberry.

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  12. that looks like a delicious adaptation!

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  13. Wow, yum! I had my first pecan pie a year ago and fell in love..I am yet to make my own, but I'll be sure to use this recipe when I do!

    Congrats on ur 200th post!

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  14. Isn't it funny how we decide we don't like things before we even try it? So glad you found out that you really do like pecan pie. And congrats on your 200th post. Your kids are adorable, love that bow!

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  15. Your babies are beautiful! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!

    and of course...your pie looks amazing!!

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  16. How adorable are those little ones!!! And I'm kicking myself for not doing mine with puff pastry the second time around. Congrats on your 200th!

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  17. I bet it tasted delicious on the puff pastry!

    Your kids are too cute for words!

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  18. Congrats on 200 posts! And I love the strawberry! :)

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