Dads Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Recipes

DAD'S PUMPKIN CHIFFON PIE

Steps:

• Line one 9 inch pie pan with whole gingersnap cookies, breaking as necessary for fitting.
• In a saucepan over medium heat cook pumpkin puree to heat through, stirring frequently.
• Separate the eggs. Combine the egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, milk, spices and butter or margarine. Add to pumpkin and cook, stirring frequently until mixture is of custard consistency. Remove mixture from heat.
• Soften gelatin in the cold water and stir into the pumpkin until dissolved. Chill mixture until it begins to stiffen (about 1 1/2 hours).
• Whip egg whites with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar until stiff. Fold whipped egg whites into the pumpkin mixture. Spoon mixture into the prepared pan and chill until set (about 3 hours). Serve topped with whipped cream.

PUMPKIN CHIFFON PIE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST

Steps:

• For the crust, stir melted butter and cookie crumbs in medium bowl until mixed. Press into bottom and sides of 9 inch pie plate. Refrigerate.
• For the fillin, sprinkle gelatin into a small glass measuring cup and add brandy. Let stand.
• In a medium saucepan, whisk pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, brown sugar, egg yolks, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth. cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring continuously. (Instant read thermometer should read 140 degrees.) Continue stirring at 140 degrees for three more minutes. Remove from heat.
• Microwave gelatin mixture on high 10 seconds. Whisk into pumpkin mixture with electric mixer.
• Pour filling into large bowl. Let cool by setting bowl in a larger bowl of ice water. Mixture should cool to consistency of runny honey.
• Whip cream on medium high until stiff peaks form. Fold gently into pumpkin mixture and pour into cooled crust. Refrigerate overnight.
• Before serving, let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Cut into 8 wedges with sharp knife.

PUMPKIN CHIFFON PIE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Process gingersnaps, granulated sugar, and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Add butter, and process until combined. Divide mixture among six 5-inch pie plates, pressing into bottom and up sides. Place on a baking sheet, and bake until darkened and firm, 11 to 13 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Using an offset spatula, carefully unmold crusts, and return to sheet to cool. (Crusts can be stored in pie plates in airtight containers for up to 2 days.)
• Make the filling: Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a bowl. Let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Combine pumpkin, egg yolks, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, milk, salt, and spices in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until mixture begins to thicken, about 8 minutes. Do not boil. Remove from heat. Stir in gelatin mixture until dissolved. Let cool completely.
• Beat egg whites with a mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Whisk one-third of beaten egg whites into cooled pumpkin mixture. Gently fold in remaining whites. (Filling can be refrigerated, covered, overnight.) Spoon into pie shells, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 hours).
• Make the garnish: Using a vegetable peeler, shave pumpkin into thin, wide ribbons. Bring water, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and ginger to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add pumpkin pieces, and reduce heat. Simmer gently until tender and translucent, about 8 minutes. Pour into a bowl, and let cool completely. (Garnish can stand at room temperature for up to 3 hours.) Top each pie with 3 or 4 pumpkin pieces, discarding syrup. Serve immediately.
• Variation: This recipe also can make two 8-inch pies; be sure to leave the crust in the pie plate before adding the filling.