03/16/2011

Simple Whipped Cream Pistachio Pie

Pistachio Pie is one of the things I remember as a child. My sister would ask my mom every year to make this simple pie for her birthday dessert. There would be blue candles atop (her favorite color) and she would smile big as she blew them out. March 12th was my big sisters 28th birthday and I kept in the tradition of making this pie which I haven’t had in a very long time. The pie my mom normally prepared is made with cool whip but I don’t like the texture of that stuff so I just used homemade whipped cream. I’m sure I could have made homemade pistachio pudding. and graham cracker crust but i was also making dinner for 10 people and I didn’t want to give her a heart attack by changing something we’re so used to. I’ll try it next time, but till then if you want something a little different and very easy or if you’re looking for a new Saint Patrick’s Day dessert. I encourage you to try this simple sweet for march my sisters birthday month and her favorite Pie. I love you Keek, Happy Birthday!

Whipped Cream Pistachio Pie

2 cups heavy cream
3 tablespoons of powdered sugar
2 small packages of Jell-O Pistachio Pudding
2 3/4 cups of whole milk if using
¼ cup of crushed pistachios
One graham cracker crust

Beat the cream and powdered sugar with a hand mixer till light and fluffy but having a firm consistency to hold up in the pie. The whipped cream is not made very sweet at all because the pudding is really sweet if you want a sweeter whipped cream please adjust to your liking.

With a whisk mix pudding and milk and stir till thickened

Layer ½ pudding in pie crust and flatten with a spatula

Then add ½ whipped cream and smooth over

Then add the other portion of the pie filling

Top the center of the pie with more whipped cream

Sprinkle over the top pistachios

Chill for an hour

Slice and scoop out

Enjoy your Pudding Pie

Here’s a couple pictures of the rest of the food I made my sister for her birthday dinner.

Menu Spanish rice, Smoked Paprika Pinto Beans, Carne Adovada( slow roasted marinated pork in red sauce), Crunchy Chicken Tacos with assorted toppings, Pico De gallo, Pisachio Pie and Orange Creme Fruit Tart( pear, orange, strawberry, blackberry, white peach, and fuji apple) with apricot glaze

I was really happy with how the meal came out, everyone seemed to enjoy being together and just having dinner with one another which was very nice. I’d have to say the tart is one of the desserts I’m the most proud of making. I love fruit tarts and really wanted to make one because i haven’t since culinary school. Tart Recipe/ Tutorial is one thing I’ll have to write about soon.

Online Bake Sale for Aid in Japan

If you’ve seen my last name Fujitaki or read through my blog you’ll know that my Dad is Japanese he was born in California and so were his parents who ultimately lived most of their child hood lives in Japan but came back to America to get married and raise their families. My Japanese culture is so important to me and has molded and shaped my thinking, respect, and honor in a culture that’s roots are from a far away land but so dear to my heart. So as you know I’m deeply affected by the devastation of such a horrible series of disasters in Japan. My Japanese culture is something I’m very proud of and I can honestly say that since these events have happened something in my bio chemistry has changed I feel weak, tired, sad but i try to be strong, I constantly meditate on the hope and compassion that these people so desperately need and I hope you’ll think about it as well.

I’d like to remind anyone of Sabrina’s efforts at Thetomatotart.com to rise money for Japan with her Online Bake Sale. Sabrina is a brilliant and very carrying food blogger based out of San Fransisco, I’ve loved her blog for a long time so when she asked me to be a part of her efforts for relief in Japan I gladly accepted. This weekend I’ll be working on my entries for the Bake Sale which subsequently you’ll be able to bid on during the March 30th auction where all proceeds will go to Japanese relief efforts. I will soon be posting about my auction items here at Unrivaledkitch. Also if your a food blogger and have a blog or if your just interested and would like to join the efforts please e-mail Sabrina at bakesale@thetomatotart.com or please continue to check back on my blog for further updates. The crisis in Japan is terrible and we have to do something. A simple gesture of hope and compassion is all i ask for, but if you can do more please think about it.

Cheers Guys

Unrivaledkitch
Twitter and Foodbuzz

Simple Whipped Cream Pistachio Pie