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..................................................................................................................................................................... Mama Lu’s Pecan Pie B Y H ELEN H ERNDON P ECAN PIE IS SUCH A STAPLE IN THE SOUTH I ALMOST FEEL SELF CONSCIOUS SHARING THIS RECIPE . B UT , IN CASE THERE ’ S SOMEONE OUT THERE THAT DOESN ’ T HAVE THEIR OWN “ FAMILY ” PECAN PIE RECIPE , YOU CAN ’ T GO WRONG WITH THIS ONE COURTESY OF MY GRANDMOTHER — M AMA L U . ecan pie is as simple, and fail-proof as it gets but it’s always a crowd pleaser. It’s really all about the filling so you can even use store bought pie crust. But, in case you want to show off a bit for company, I’m including Mama Lu’s basic pie crust recipe, too! M AMA L U ’ S P ECAN P IE I NGREDIENTS • 3 eggs • 1 teaspoon of salt • 1/2 cup of brown sugar • 1 cup of light corn syrup • 1 teaspoon of vanilla • 2 tablespoons of melted butter • 1 cup of pecans D IRECTIONS Begin by beating the eggs lightly. Next add the salt and brown sugar to the eggs and beat well. Stir in syrup, vanilla and butter. Finally stir the pecans into the mixture. Pour your pie filling into your crust and arrange pecans to your liking to make it aesthetically pleasing. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes and reduce heat to 325 and continue baking for 35 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It’s good straight up and at room temperature too! M AMA L U ’ S P IE C RUST I NGREDIENTS • 2 cups all purpose flour • 1 tsp of salt • 2/3 of a cup + 1 tablespoon of shortening • 5-6 tablespoons of cold ice water D IRECTIONS Cut shortening into the flour using a pastry cutter until like coarse cornmeal. Add the water a tablespoon or two at a time until the dough sticks together. Half the dough — it makes two crusts. If you don’t use both im- mediately the other will keep in the refrigerator a few days. When you’re ready to assemble your pie, roll out the dough slightly larger than the intended pie pan. Crimp the edges, pinching as you go around the edge of the crust or press a fork into the edges to make it look special. No need to precook the crust for the pecan pie. Just fill with the yummy filling and bake as directed for the pecan pie. Enjoy! n Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 19 P