~Fun Food Friday...Chocolate Chess Pie~

By Guest Blogger...Martha...I mean...Moma again! =)

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How this busy daughter keeps up with her schedule and produces all the art from her kitchen to delight her family and all of us is beyond me.  Besides the regular chores of a household I accompanied her and Kimberly today to do the shopping for food.  After walking two miles and stopping by the mall, we again walked the blocks to the modern super market.  When Heather finished moving the foods on her list from the shelf to her cart she showed me her hands, they were literally black with the dust that covered the food packages.  The list for the fresh food market was not yet to be filled so we walked the distance to shop there.   I do not have the words to tell you of our walk home, while some of our path was over some modern walks many steps had to be cautiously taken taken over jagged stones and  patches of mud.  Thankfully the two very filled carts of groceries and supplies for the lunches for the students of the Bible Class were all piled and tied on one cart and pushed for us by an untiring young man, the two plus miles home.  I have visited and shared on many mission fields, going with them on their mission of hardships but, remember none of them were my little girl! =)

Observing the impossible feat of this Mommy of five I suggested that I do her fun Food Friday again for her. So before following her on this too full day we put the following pie in the oven.  The Lord willing next week she will not have “guests” and will be free for all of you . . . well almost.  After putting way all the purchases, making dinner, helping to rid the dinning room and kitchen of the soiled dishes  I was taken aback to see this busy homemaker grab a broom, sweep and mop those tile floors before stopping for family devotions and Gramp's story time!  We hurried up to make this post and I am writing with the “music” of Mommy and her five helpers folding the laundry with one little man trying to ward off an attack of the croup.  I CAN HARDLY THINK! 

 ~Us after we got back from our shopping excursion!~

 So while counting your blessing of a Walmart Supercenter, go to your kitchen and try a recipe that has become on of my favorites! (Now here comes Daddy and Gramp to add to this excitement of “my office” (their pretty master bedroom that also serves as Daddy’s study, family room, play room, laundry room, computer room, nursery and library. Now the sweeper starts to pick up Baby Mary’s spill of Daddy’s  Argentine “mate” tea leaves!  You may never get this recipe! Smile!)

 ~(Before the evening was finished...Heather had to take over typing this recipe for me...while I rocked baby Mary and sang to her the same Lullaby song that I had sung to Heather. =)~

 Several years ago when our daughter, Laura and family were on deputation to share their Daddy’s mission vision in Europe, he suggested a game to entertain the little weary travelers; that they make a list of the best cooks that shared their homes with them.  Among the several, was my friend Paula Sproles, today we made a recipe from her:

Chocolate Chess Pie

~Here's a picture of the filling~

 ~Me...making the crust!~

~CHOCOLATE CHESS PIE~

YIELDS TWO 9” PIES

For the crust see last“Fun Food Friday…Moma’s apple pie”.

Mix in a bowl with whisk: 

3 cups sugar, 

½ cup cocoa, 

3 Tablespoons flour,

1 cup milk, 

4 beaten eggs, 

1 stick melted butter, 

and 2 teaspoons vanilla.  

Place in two 9” pie shells and bake in 325 oven   ((I start the pie on 375 for ten minutes and then reduce it to 325 for about 35 minutes more) until pie seems solid when shaken.  THIS IS THE CORRECT TEMP NOT THE PREVIOUSLY POSTED 275 temp.! 
Someone left a comment asking about her pie not getting done at the previously posted 275 temp., so here's my Moma's response back to them.
Dear Friend,  Thank you for catching this error.  I am home now with my recipe and a oven that speaks English! :-) (Heather's oven dials are in Celcius).
The 325 is correct but it can also depend on your oven.  I bake the choc. chess pie until the crust is well browned and the pie feels solid in the middle with a slight touch of my finger.

Make sure the pie is cool before serving as it sets more when cool. Note: You will find that the taste is wonderful, even if the pie does not set completely, making it similar to a Lava Cake.

Heather's Moma, Martha  

 ~Our Chess pie we made today!~

 This pie is so easy as the pastry does not have to be pre-baked nor does it have a custard that's pre-cooked.  Just make the pastry and add the hand-whisked filling and bake them together.  This pie is simple to make yet takes on the look of elegance when garnished to compliment your menu or fit the season.  

I suggest topping the dollop of whipped cream with:

~a fanned fresh strawberry,

~stemmed Marciano cherry,

~a small block of a Hershey bar or shaved curl of chocolate;

~to give a touch of the seasons, try stabbing the cream with a small candy cane or making the cream into a nest to hold the robin eggs of spring. (Jelly beans or malted milk eggs.)

       --M. S. B....(Heather's Moma!)
~Everyone around our table enjoyed each bite of this YUMMY Pie!~  =)

 Thank you, Moma, for sharing!
And as always...ENJOY!
Please PRAY for the Pastoral classes that my Daddy is teaching and Phillip is translating!  They can do the teaching, but it's the Holy Spirit that does the applying!   Thank you!