Projo Food Blog

The James Beard Foundation shares recipes with members and I had to share it here.
It's a combo dish but oh what a combo.

A cook at Jacques-Imo's told the Beard folks that this two-in-one pie has been taken off the menu, in part because, "everyone serves it here"--here being New Orleans.

But thenl Jacques-Imo's served it at the Beard House, and everyone fell in love at first bite.

"Pecans and sweet potato pie live in perfect harmony: the subtle sweet potato custard tempers the usually saccharine pecan layer, and the textural contrast works well, too. In its deep springform crust, this is one impressive-looking pie," reported the newsletter editors.
And now for your holiday table:

Deep Dish Sweet Potato-Pecan Pie
Sweet Potato Layer:
1 pound sweet potatoes (2 to 3)
1 large egg
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch salt

Pecan Layer:
3 large eggs
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 ounces), melted and cooled
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups pecan halves, lightly toasted*

Dough for a 10-inch pie crust

Ice cream or whipped cream, optional

To prepare the shell, roll the pie dough and use it to line a 9-inch springform pan, molding the crust 2 inches up the sides. Let the shell rest in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 425º.

Line the pie shell with buttered tinfoil; fill with pie beans; blind-bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and beans. Bake 5 more minutes until golden. Remove pie shell from oven. Cool.

To make the sweet potato layer, roast the potatoes at 425º F. until tender when pierced by a fork, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven, cool completely, and peel. Mash the pulp in a small bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, and stir to combine.

To prepare the pecan layer, whisk the eggs, then add remaining ingredients except pecans. Stir to combine.

Preheat the oven to 350º F.

To assemble the pie, spread the sweet potato layer in the cooled pie shell. Cover with the pecans. Gently pour the egg-corn syrup mixture over the nuts. Bake for about 70 minutes until the pie shell is golden brown and filling is almost set. The filling should wiggle very slightly. It will continue cooking--and firm up--after you remove it from the oven.

Serve barely warm or chilled with whipped cream or ice cream.
Yield:8 to 10 servings
Adapted from a recipe by Jacques Leonardi

 Tags  Jacques-Imo's James Beard Foundation

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