Black Bottom Pie

Serves: 6

Terry Wiza

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

50

Spice

48

Sweetness

48

Sourness

40

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.7

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 cup

Water (cold)

4 large

Egg (separated)

1 cup

Sugar

2 tbsps

Cornstarch

2 cups

Milk

1 tsp

Salt

1 cup

Heavy Cream

Directions:

1

Set aside

2

Make piecrust

3

Prepare an ice-water bath

4

In a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, melt chocolate

5

Set aside

6

Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl and set aside to soften

7

Whisk together in a medium bowl 4 egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, and the cornstarch

8

In a medium saucepan, combine milk and 1/4 cup sugar

9

Bring just to a boil

10

Add about 1/4 of the milk mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly, until combined

11

Return to saucepan and bring to a boil

12

Remove from heat when mixture has boiled and thickened, 3 to 4 minutes

13

Measure 1 cup of custard and add the melted chocolate and vanilla to it

14

Cool completely over ice-water bath

15

When cool, spread evenly in the bottom of the pie crust

16

Transfer pie crust to refrigerator until set, about 5 minutes

17

Add gelatin to remaining custard

18

Cool over the ice-water bath until just beginning to set

19

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form

20

With machine running, gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff glossy peaks form

21

Stir 1/3 meringue into custard to lighten

22

Gently, but thoroughly, fold in remaining meringue and rum

23

Spread over chocolate layer

24

Refrigerate pie for at least 3 hours and up to overnight

25

Whip cream until stiff

26

Spread over custard or pipe on top with a pastry bag fitted with a star tip

27

Sprinkle chocolate shavings on top

28

Chill until ready to serve

29

Piecrust: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar, optional 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces Ice water To the bowl of a food processor, add flour, salt, and sugar; all ingredients should be cold

30

Add the pieces of butter and process for approximately 10 seconds, or just until the mixture resembles a coarse meal

31

(To mix by hand, combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl

32

Using a pastry blender or 2 table knives, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal

33

) Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water, drop by drop, through the feed tube with the machine running, just until the dough holds together without being wet or sticky; do not process more than 30 seconds

34

Test the dough at this point by squeezing a small amount together

35

If it is crumbly, add a bit more water

36

Turn the dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap

37

Grasping the ends of the plastic wrap with your hands, press the dough into a flat circle with your fists

38

This makes rolling easier than if the pastry is chilled as a ball

39

Wrap the dough in the plastic and chill for at least 1 hour

40

Lightly butter or spray with vegetable cooking spray the pie plate(s) or tart pan(s) you will be using

41

On a lightly floured board, roll out the pastry to a thickness of 1/8-inch

42

Place the pastry in the tart pan, pie plate, or pastry ring, which has been set on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and press it into the bottom edges and along the sides

43

Trim the pastry using scissors or a sharp paring knife, or by rolling a rolling pin across the top of the pan

44

Crimp or decorate the edges of the pastry, if desired

45

Chill the pastry-lined pan until ready to use

46

Unbaked pastry shells can be refrigerated, well wrapped in plastic, for up to 1 day; for longer storage, they can be frozen

47

Yield: 2 (8 to 10-inch) tarts or single-crust piecrusts, or 1 (8 to 10-inch) double-crust piecrust Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: none Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour