Christmas Day evolved over two millennia. Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. People around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature.
Today, billions of people around the world celebrate Christmas with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. It's a time for family and friends to get together and exchange gifts.
Popular customs include gift giving, completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal with family, the display of various Christmas decorations including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, holly, and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
December 25, Christmas Day, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870. Source
Pecan pie is Christmas tradition. It's a sweet custard pie made primarily of corn syrup and pecan nuts. It is popularly served at holiday meals and is also considered a specialty of Southern U.S. cuisine. Most pecan pie recipes include salt and vanilla as flavorings. Other ingredients such as chocolate and bourbon whiskey are popular additions to the recipe. A new favorite way to cook it is with a layer of cheesecake. Pecan pie is often served with whipped cream. Source
This holiday is for enjoying a delicious sweet and nutty slice of "pecan Pie." It doesn't matter if you like to bake it with dark corn syrup or light, just know that today is the day to remember that traditional taste of the holidays and eat that pecan pie. Source
Here's a sophisticated twist on traditional pecan pie. It has dark chocolate chips i the filling. Yummy.
Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie
Serves 6
Pie Crust
1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cold Crisco shortening or butter
2 to 4 tablespoons ice cold water
Filling
2/3cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup pecan halves (coarsely chop 1/2 cup of the pecans)
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
In medium bowl, mix flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender, until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle flour mixture with 2 tablespoons cold water, tossing gently with pastry blender to moisten flour mixture. Add additional water 1 teaspoon at a time, until flour mixture forms moist clumps.
Gather flour mixture into a ball (some flour will be left in bowl). Gently shape into a flatten round. On surface sprinkled lightly with flour, use floured rolling pin to roll pastry into circle 1 inch larger than upside-down 9-inch pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate. Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1 inch from rim of pie plate. Fold pastry under even with plate edges; flute as desired.
In large bowl, mix brown sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the eggs using whisk.
Gently stir in pecans and chocolate chips with a wooden spoon, do not use a whisk, whip with mixer, or beat with fork. You don't want to incorporate foam or air bubbles into the filling; you just want it to create a velvety-like custard to contrast the crunchy pecans.
Pour slow and easy into pastry-lined pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until top is golden brown and center of pie jiggles slightly when pie is gently moved back and forth. Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate about 2 hours until chilled.
Nutritional Information (amount per serving)
Calories 456; Carbohydrates 65g; Cholesterol 36mg; Sodium: 4830mg; Fat 21g; Protein 4.5g; Sodium 300mg; Potassium 84mg
Some people serve pecan pie with scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Others prefer a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. Pecan pie is an American classic.
* Source: Gold Medal Flour, Pecan Pie Nutrients
Gold Medal for over a hundred years, has has milled premium quality flour that people have relied on to make everything from family favorites to new and inspired creations
Merry Christmas fromo my family to all my friends and followers.