DUI Pie

Max, I’m glad to see that you have finally learned to cook like a Southerner–forget that vanilla and pour on the Bourbon, Whiskey, Brandy, Rum. Of course, I noticed that this was a recipe that you picked up in Tennessee.

Yes, I checked out the “Free Paris Hilton” radio promotion. Now, every good promotion should be launched with a party and plenty of good food. Your Tennessee Fudge Cake would be nice on a reception table, and the station could probably pick up some really good locally grown strawberries for the garnish, but let me submit this dessert as the piece d’resistance for a “Free Paris” reception. The original name was Rum Cream Pie, but I think under the circumstances that it should be renamed the “Paris DUI Pie.”

As my husband says, “Don’t eat and drive after this Rum Pie, or you will get a Hilton DUI.”

DUI Rum Cream Pie:

1 prebaked and cooled pastry shell of your choice, 9 or 10 inch size
1 envelope (2 teaspoons) unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
6 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup dark rum
1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Chill a stand mixer bowl and a set of beaters.

Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a small sauce pan. Stir constantly over low heat until the gelatin dissolves. Set aside to cool.

Beat the egg yolks and sugar with a mixer until they are thick and light colored. Stir in the cooled gelatin and gradually add the rum while beating slowly.

With the chilled bowl and beaters, whip the heavy cream until there are stiff peaks.

Fold the whipped cream with a whisk or broad spatula into the gelatin mixture. Set this bowl in a larger bowl of ice water and whisk for 10 to 15 minutes. The mixture should mound on a spoon, or be the consistency of raw egg whites.

At once, spoon the mixture into the prepared pastry shell. Cover with plastic wrap to protect the flavor, and chill at least 6 hours.

Rum Topping for Pie:

1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 tablespoon dark rum
Grated chocolate or curls for garnish (Optional)

Just before serving, whip the heavy cream. When soft peaks form, add the sugar and rum, then beat until medium stiff. You can make a whipped cream ring around the edge or the Pie, or serve a large dollop on each piece. Garnish with chocolate curls.

Eat and enjoy, just don’t eat and drive, or you might be saying to the officer, “Officer, I have not been drinking. All I had were two pieces of pie for the road.”