The Holidays are Making me NUTS Pie ...inspired by Waitress for Food 'n Flix

Spaghetti Pie.  Marshmallow Mermaid Pie.  Falling in Love Chocolate Mousse Pie.  Peachy Keen Tarts.  Spanish Dancer Pie with Potato Crust.  Naughty Pumpkin Pie.  Lonely Chicago Pie.  I Don't Want Earl's Baby Pie...aka Bad Baby Pie.   Jenna pours her emotions into her pies.  She grew up making pies with her mother and now she bakes for her controlling, jealous, nasty husband...and for the patrons at Joe's Pie Shack...and most recently for her gynecologist who re-awakens a passion for herself that she had all but forgotten was even there.  Waitress is part of our Food 'n Flix Double Feature this month...and a flick that never fails to make me crave pie.  Yes, it's a chick flick and a story about love...but perhaps not in the usual manner.  It's more about learning to love yourself...and how a child can open your eyes and change your outlook on life.

Inspired by the spirit of the film, I decided to make a pie to fit in with my own emotions this time of the year...

Mixed Nut Pie (aka The Holidays are Making me NUTS Pie)

adapted from Nigella Christmas

yield: ~12 slices

1½ c. ap flour

½ tsp. salt

½ c. butter, melted

¼ c. whole milk

½ c. golden syrup

8 Tbs. soft butter

1 c. packed light brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

12 oz. mixed, salted, roasted nuts (no peanuts)

3 eggs

Preheat oven to 350° F.  

Mix flour salt, melted butter and milk in a large bowl to form a slightly wet dough.  Turn it out into a 9" tart pan w/ removable bottom.  Press it into the bottom and sides of the pan and place in freezer until filling is ready.

Melt the golden syrup, butter and brown sugar over a lowish heat in saucepan.  Add vanilla, stir and remove from heat.  Let stand 10 minutes.

 Remove crust from freezer and pour in nuts evenly.  Set shell on a lined baking sheet to catch drips and over flows int he oven.  Whisk eggs into the slightly cooled mixture then pour the whole thing over the nuts. Bake for ~40 minutes or until filling is set and crust is golden.

This definitely soothed the holiday crazies for a short while.  Perfect with coffee...warm or cold.  The pie, not the coffee.  Coffee must be warm on a cold winters day.

We are currently featuring both Waitress and The Ramen girl at Food 'n Flix this month...