April 14 is National Pecan Day!
The only nut tree indigenous to America, pecan trees grow delicious and nutritious nuts that make the pecan pie possible. In my quest for opinions of the most requested pie, pecan pie has been recommended in the top 5 by 100% of those people interviewed. All 10 of these people spoke of the delicious crisp nuts topping the sweet custard. The underlying pie crust seemed secondary to the experience. All were most likely to leave crust uneaten on their plate, if necessary, to assuage their consciences about eating a second slice of pecan pie.
That said, this is my favorite true story of an adventure with pecan pie.
Years ago, a not-too-long married friend decided to prepare one of her exquisite pecan pies. A consummate baker, this was to be her first pecan pie she baked for her outstanding, wonderful new husband. He would be home for lunch. She prepared her delectable pecan pie. The pie was beautiful. For the rest of the morning, she continued to inhale the luscious fragrance. Finally, it was noon and her husband arrived for lunch.
That day, my friend and her husband listened to the farm markets on the radio while dining on the ordinary, weekday lunch. For dessert, my friend served each of them a slice of the pecan pie. The new husband ate his portion without fanfare. He actually paid little attention, making no comment. He departed soon after. On his way out of the door, he did mention that he would have another piece of pie for supper that evening.
Ruefully, my friend began clearing the table. She was only the tiniest bit chagrined by the slightly uninspired reception of the masterpiece pecan pie.
Four slices remained in the pie plate. Some of the sweet custard and a couple of pecan halves had fallen to one side. With a clean spoon, my friend evened up the edges of the pecan pie. While washing dishes, she returned occasionally to scoop up a bite or two. By the time the dishes were put away in the cupboards and the kitchen floor was swept, the pie plate was shiningly empty.
By herself, she had eaten 5/6 of a pecan pie.
My friend recalled that her husband had alluded to another piece of pie for supper. Cognizant of the potential problem, she sat down with a glass of iced tea to clear her head. She considered her options.
There was only one sensible recourse. Immediately, she would bake another pecan pie.
When the second pecan pie had finished cooling on the counter, my friend felt compelled to sample the pie. It was up to her to determine if this pie was of the correct high standard to which she was accustomed. The first piece she tasted was delicious. Equally so, the second slice.
The replacement pie was equal to if not superior to the first pie. Satisfied, she went outside to do the evening chores.
After their supper sandwiches, her new husband asked for his second piece of pie. She dished up the requested slice of pecan pie. Just to be sociable, she plated a piece for herself. With the first taste, her husband remarked, “Your pies are the best, Honey. This pie is even better than it was at noon.”
Her mouth full of delicious pecan pie, my friend smiled a sweet thank you, and kissed her darling husband across the table. Returning the kiss, her husband scraped up and savored every last crumb of his slice of that exceptional pecan pie.
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