Pecan Pie!

And finally (drum roll please) the number 10 best Texas food...

Pecan Pie!

I hear cute little cup cakes may be on their way out as a fad food and that pies are going to be the next big thing in bakery treats! Well, you don't have to go far to find the very best pie ever invented, the Texas Pecan Pie!

It's the most calories you can pack into a spoonful, but you only live once so you might as well eat the bestest!

Start with the dough:

2 cups of all purpose flour

pinch of salt

1/2 cup of corn oil

Mix the flour and salt together, then add the oil and mix until you have lima bean sized lumps.

Add exactly 5 tablespoons of cold tap water

Mix the dough until it is consistent. Divide it in half and roll out the crust and place in the pie pan. Flute the crust edges by pinching the dough around one of your fingers as you go around the pie tin. Freeze the left over dough or make two pies.

Now make the filling:

Mix together:

1/2 cup of melted butter (use real butter, not margarine)

1 cup of brown sugar

1 cup of light corn syrup

3 lightly beaten eggs

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of vanilla (use the good expensive kind)

1 and 1/3 cup of chopped Texas pecans

Put the pie tin on the oven shelf, then pour in the mixture. Bake at 425 degrees F. for 10 minutes, then turn down the heat to 350 degrees F. and bake for another 40 to 45 minutes. If the crust browns too quickly and looks like it might burn, cover the edges with foil. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for an hour at least. May be refrigerated if it lasts that long!.

This pie is perfect for holidays and with proper packing, may even be shipped as a gift. It's a sturdy pie that will stay fresh if shrink wrapped and sealed.

Some people like to add a little rum or bourbon instead of vanilla. Other people like to add 3 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate to the mix for chocolate pecan pie. Well, whatever floats your boat!

P.S.

The Pecan is the State Tree of Texas!

#texas