Kalidasas Kicked Up Chocolate Cream Pie Recipes

Steps:

• For the crumb crust: Butter a 9-inch pyrex pie pan. Set a rack at the middle level of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.
• Place nuts in bowl of food processor fitted with metal blade. Pulse 10 or 12 times at 1-second intervals to finely grind without reducing to a paste. Remove cover and scrape inside of work bowl with a spatula.
• Add remaining ingredients except butter and pulse once or twice to combine.
• Add butter and pulse 3 or 4 times, until mixture is evenly moistened and looks crumbly. Remove blade and turn mixture out into prepared pan.
• Using your fingertips, distribute the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom and sides of the pan, gently pressing into place. Make sure that the crumb coating is even because thin spots will burn during baking.
• Use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface of the crust and to make the rim of the crust straight and even.
• Bake the crust for about 20 minutes, or until the surface of the crust is a deep golden brown. Watch carefully, because the high sugar content makes them burn easily. Cool on rack.
• To make the filling: Combine 2 cups milk, sugar and salt in a nonreactive saucepan; whisk once to mix and bring to a boil over low heat. Place remaining 1/2 cup milk in a mixing bowl and whisk in cornstarch, then eggs. Return milk and sugar mixture to a boil over low heat then whisk about a third of it into the egg mixture. Return milk and sugar mixture to a boil once more and whisk in the egg mixture, whisking constantly until the filling thickens and comes to a boil. Allow to boil, whisking constantly, for about 30 seconds. Remove from heat, whisk in butter and vanilla; pour into a nonreactive bowl. Press plastic wrap against the surface of the filling and chill until it is approximately 75 degrees. Spread the cooled filling evenly in the cooled crust.
• To finish the pie, whip the cream with the sugar and vanilla until it holds a firm peak. Use a hand mixer on medium speed or a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the whisk. Spread the cream over the filling, making sure it touches the edges of the crust all around.

Steps:

• First, make the base. Blitz the biscuits to fine crumbs in a food processor, or tip into a sandwich bag and bash with a rolling pin. Add the melted butter and pulse to combine. Tip into a 22cm pie dish and press into the base and up the side using the back of a spoon. Keep chilled.
• Tip the sugar and milk into a medium saucepan over low-medium heat, and whisk until the milk is steaming and the sugar has dissolved. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks and cornflour together in a bowl to make a smooth paste.
• Add a few spoonfuls of the hot milk to the yolk mixture, whisking to loosen. Slowly whisk this back into the saucepan of hot milk. Continue to whisk until the mixture begins to thicken to a custard-like consistency, about 3-5 mins.
• Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the butter, dark chocolate and vanilla until the chocolate and butter have melted and the mixture is completely smooth. Pour this over the chilled base and smooth the surface with a spatula. Cover with a circle of baking parchment to prevent a skin forming and chill until set (about 3-4 hrs). Will keep chilled for up to 24 hrs.
• Just before you're ready to serve, whip the cream, icing sugar and vanilla together to soft peaks using an electric whisk. Spoon this over the middle of the pie and gently spread to the edge using the back of the spoon. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings. Or, you could also try sprinkling with crushed candy cane pieces for a mint-chocolate flavour.

Steps:

• Put the half-and-half in a saucepan with the coffee and star anise.
• Heat to scalding, remove from heat and allow to stand for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
• Strain mixture into clean saucepan.
• Add 2 cups heavy cream and set aside.
• In a separate bowl mix 1 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt.
• Add egg yolks and combine with sugar mixture (a fork does a good job) until well blended (the sugar mixture is completely yellow).
• Loosely mix in cocoa powder.
• Add mixture to infused half-and-half mixture and heat slowly stirring continuously.
• When mixture is hot and just starting to thicken add bittersweet chocolate.
• Continue heating until thick.
• Stir constantly to prevent scortching.
• Mix in vanilla, butter, and Grand Marnier.
• Pour directly into prepared pie shell (strain to remove lumps if desired).
• Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator overnight.
• Whip cream until almost stiff, then whip in chocolate until stiff.
• Cover pie with whipped cream.
• Lightly sprinkle the top with cocoa powder.