Wishing I could still call my Mom.

Having my mother's cookbooks and recipes is just not the same as having her on the other end of the phone or RIGHT there in my kitchen showing me how to do things. I was a "surprise" baby, 11 years after my sister, and Mom had already done the whole raising kids thing and showing a daughter how to sew and bake and cook and can and all that stuff. Me? I got Sesame Street and Mr Rogers and whatever else was on TV. Julia Child and The Galloping Gourmet taught me about cooking and Victory Garden taught me about planting tomatoes and lettuce... I never did like those sewing shows, too boring lol. I called Mom several times as an adult asking how to do simple things I should have already learned. I have a few pages of weird chaotic notes from phone conversations where I tried in vain to write stuff down.

Mom's been gone almost 4 years now. The odd thing is, she left me her cookbooks. Not my sister who is a caterer and owns her own cafe/bistro. Me. I still get kind of choked up over that. My sister did get the sewing machine. Mom knew what she was doing there.

I mention all of this because my Mom made the most wonderful chocolate meringue pie. It was always at every family get together we had at her house (and they were always at her house til she got sick). There were other desserts too, but that chocolate meringue is the one I always looked forward to. I am not the only one. My husband has mentioned more than once this week alone that he sure wishes he could have chocolate pie. He even looked in the freezer section at the discount grocery store we shop at, but they didn't have any.

Well, today I had to go get milk and sugar, and I walked by the Jello counter. I know for a fact that Mom's secret was the filling was Jello chocolate cook n serve pudding/pie filling. Oh I watched her make them for years and loved it cause I got to lick the pan! The problem is, I never paid much attention to what she did with that frozen pie crust. I never paid any attention to how she made the meringue. I never watched and timed how long it took to bake the meringue to just the right stage. Mom's chocolate pies were ALWAYS perfect. I wish I had that expertise available to me now.

I have 2 boxes of chocolate Jello cook n serve pudding, milk, eggs, and two frozen pie crusts. I'm hoping I have the other things I may need. I am now off in search of her meringue recipe in those many many ancient cookbooks. I am sure I will find it. She did an excellent job of bookmarking and writing page numbers on inside covers for fav recipes... but then... I will have to attempt it for the first time myself.

Even if they don't turn out perfect, I'm pretty sure they'll still taste good, and one of my girls will get to lick the pot.

Wish me luck!

Comments

  1. Oh, good luck on the pie. That was my mom's favorite too and I did have the blessing of watching her make it many times. Just thaw the frozen pie crust and then cook it at 350 until it is golden brown. Be sure to prick the bottom and sides with a fork before baking. When it is all done, cook the pudding and pour it into the pie crust. Cover the pudding in the pie crust with some wax paper so it doesn't get a hard film on top of it that will not let the meringue work right. I always use 3 eggs per pie. When I am cooking the pudding I add the egg yolks even though it doesn't call for it and save the whites for the meringue. I turn the mixer on high and whip the meringue to a really fluffy stage and then I add about 2 tbls. of sugar to it and then continue to whip until it is really stiff. Spread a thin layer of the meringue all over the top of the pudding being sure to seal the piecrust edges carefully, then take the rest and plop it in the middle and spread it around. Take your spatula and push it into the meringue and raise it quickly to form peaks. Put in the over at 350 and let brown perfectly. You should have a perfect pie and one that my mom always made perfectly too. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Me, too...me, too...my mom made the best Chocolate Pie, EVER!! (OK, now I know you girls are gonna fight me over this. I just wish I could send you each a pie just like mama made!!) OF COURSE, we all think OUR mamas made the best of EVERYthing!!
    Bless your heart..once you make your first pie, you will see how easy it really is to serve up something so delicious!
    Good luck, darlin'...

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  3. When you perfect this (and you will!) be sure to spend some time with your girls and show them how to do it. What a great thing to pass on, your mother's recipes!
    Although you only meant to share frustration over the recipe, what a tremendous reminder to me to make my time with my children count. Thank you, Patty, and good luck with that pie! Makes me hungry just thinking about it....

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  4. Oh girl you'll do a great job with this...just do like Marty said and you'll have no problems..Good luck and may you have a great Labor day weekend girl...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  5. Thank you ladies so much!! I really did feel encouraged as I was making the pie, and I followed everyone's advice. Thanks so much! :)

    Patty

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I love getting comments, and I read every one. Thanks for coming by my site and reading my ramblings. I hope you have a wonderful day! -Patty