Thankful

I realized recently how lucky I am that my mother took the time to teach me to bake my favorite pie: chocolate. So, I'm thinking that today--in honor of a day of thanks-I'll share that recipe...

Pie Filling

Ingredients:

• 2 c sugar
• 12 T flour (these can be a little bit on the "heaping" side)
• 3 egg yolks, separated so that each has its own small bowl for meringue making 
• (or 2 eggs, if not making meringue)
• 3 c (whole) milk
• 3 T cocoa (for chocolate pie, but I also use this recipe to make banana pudding and lemon pie, so I'll note the differences after I wrap this up)
• 1 T vanilla
• 1 T butter

Directions:

• using a copper bottom or stainless steel pan,
• mix dry ingredients
• add one cup of milk and one egg at a time, mixing well for each
• cook on low at first, slowly working your way up to medium-ish heat (you don't want to scorch the milk), stirring constantly (and I do mean constantly)
• mixture is done when you can run your spoon through and the mixture holds its form (i.e. the groove from the spoon stays rather than refills with mixture)
• after it's cooked and ready, add butter and vanilla and mix well
• let cool and then top with meringue (or cool whip or nothing, lol)
• let cool, then eat!

And, it should look something like this!

If making lemon pie: no cocoa; substitute 1/2 c lemon juice and 1 1/2 c water for milk
If making banana pudding: add 6 or 7 bananas (one or two while it's cooking, and the rest for right at the end, with some wafers!); no cocoa