Thursday, September 01, 2005

Cowboy Pie

I made a "mystery pie" the other day. Only it wasn't a mystery because members of my family kept walking by and asking what on earth I was making. I tried to avoid detailed answers, but replying, "Oh, a pie. Just some sort of pie," to their queries didn't cut it.

As they each scanned my recipe I was delighted with different reactions.

"Don't you dare make that!" was the reaction of one brother. I think he felt I was wasting a chance to make a perfectly good dessert.

"hmmmm," accompanied by raised eyebrows was a common response.

I also heard some incredulous laughter.

Buoyed up by this encouragement I pureed the pinto beans I had been soaking, mixed them with sugar, nutmeg, milk, and egg yolks, and poured them into a pie crust. Once the pie had set (it took about twice as long as it should have for some reason and made me very nervous it wouldn't work at all!) I topped it with a meringue and served it for dessert.

Much to my own surprise, I must admit, it was quite delicious! Tasted something like pumpkin pie, a little like mincemeat, and a little like custard. It definitely didn't taste like beans. My brothers even ate it!

*Feels proud of herself and oh, so courageous and oh, so economical. After all, gas has topped three bucks here, and one must do something to conserve. What's cheaper than beans?*

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Only three bucks for gas?! Here in GA it is at about 3.50. Some people have even seen it around 4-5 dollars.

The pie sounds yummy.

Kate said...

yikes! Glad I moved north again.

Bria- where did you get the recipe, and what made you actually decide to try it out? I am impressed! You should try it out on the FBI students this fall.

Aaron said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

I decided not to post this in my blogger name as it would give it away who I was...of course, none of my brothers have blogger accounts ANYWAY so just PRETEND you don't know who I am.

Message from above deleted comment:
That brother was just reading an open recipe book on the counter when he jokingly told Bria not to dare make it. "He" had no idea she actually intended to!

brilynne said...

I found the recipe in "Hearth and Home" by Karey Swan. The book is really almost a home ec textbook and a manual for life and homeschooling. Highly recommended.

CKS said...

My cousins, you will make an EXCELLENT Bible School student!!! Do you have recipes for "pies" made from dried split-peas??? Perhaps it can replace pea soup! Or how 'bout something from lentils? Gotta work with what you have!

CKS said...

I mean COUSIN, singular.

(Sorry, Bria, an inadvertent slip of the tongue! Your schizophrenia secret is safe with me!)

Shay Dawg said...

wow that sounded really exciting. Way to be brave and try new things!

Booker said...

You know, even if all those others ate it and it was good, the mere idea is enough to make me refuse.

And don't experiment on the poor fbi boys :) heh, heh, heh[please do actually, they need to have their culinary experiences widened!!!]

lis said...

Yay, Bria!! And way to provoke her to love and good works, A.

About the cookbook. I still remember reading it at your house, and it was great! Fun and edifying...without ever trying any of the recipes. Hee hee.