I don't know about your area, but here in Mid Missouri, there are no nuts on the trees. I don't know what the poor squirrels are going to do! We live in the midst of a bunch of hickory trees and usually our yard is loaded, and I mean LOADED with hickory nuts! We have to shovel them or else our ground will be a mass of crushed hickory nut shells (the remnants left from the squirrels). Also our area usually has lots of pecans! Missouri pecans are so wonderful! But this year, not a single nut! The trees are strangely bare of pecans.
What is a person to do when she loves pecan pie more than any pie on the earth? Why, there is a solution! Use oatmeal! This recipe produces a wonderful pie which is super similar to pecan pie. And just think, substituting oatmeal makes this ALMOST a healthy dessert (oh yea... except for all that sugar and eggs). OK, its a smidgen healthier! I'll take it any day over paying big bucks for pecans!
Here is how I do a mock pecan pie, an Oatmeal Pie, AT HOME MY WAY:
Oatmeal Pie
In a bowl, slightly beat the eggs. Add the sugar, syrup and vanilla. Add the melted margarine. Blend very well. Add the oats. Mix well again. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 55-60 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean.
(Optional - you could add in some coconut and/or chocolate chips to make this pie over the top.) I also imagine you could use darker corn syrup for a darker more southern style pie.)
The reason I don't have a picture for this pie is that I made this pie over the weekend using an oil crust recipe. Something really flopped. I don't know if my measuring cup was wrong or I measured wrong (guessing the later) but the crust was too oily and it flopped BIG TIME. Never to waste a good pie filling, my mom and I scraped off the crust and ate two healthy helpings of the filling. It was divine and we both agreed we didn't miss the pecans a single bit!
What is a person to do when she loves pecan pie more than any pie on the earth? Why, there is a solution! Use oatmeal! This recipe produces a wonderful pie which is super similar to pecan pie. And just think, substituting oatmeal makes this ALMOST a healthy dessert (oh yea... except for all that sugar and eggs). OK, its a smidgen healthier! I'll take it any day over paying big bucks for pecans!
Here is how I do a mock pecan pie, an Oatmeal Pie, AT HOME MY WAY:
Oatmeal Pie
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup white corn syrup (Karo or generic is fine)
- 2/3 cup white sugar (granulated)
- 2/3 cup margarine (melted)
- 2/3 cup oatmeal (old fashioned oats)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 unbaked pie crust
In a bowl, slightly beat the eggs. Add the sugar, syrup and vanilla. Add the melted margarine. Blend very well. Add the oats. Mix well again. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 55-60 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean.
(Optional - you could add in some coconut and/or chocolate chips to make this pie over the top.) I also imagine you could use darker corn syrup for a darker more southern style pie.)
The reason I don't have a picture for this pie is that I made this pie over the weekend using an oil crust recipe. Something really flopped. I don't know if my measuring cup was wrong or I measured wrong (guessing the later) but the crust was too oily and it flopped BIG TIME. Never to waste a good pie filling, my mom and I scraped off the crust and ate two healthy helpings of the filling. It was divine and we both agreed we didn't miss the pecans a single bit!
I shared this recipe AT:
OK, I would def call this healthy, esp over the mock pecan pie I heard of before this one, using saltines. ewwww. But I've heard it's pretty good. But ewwww. Oatmeal for me, thanks! Great idea! And what's up with the nuts? Are they affected by the weather the way fruit is, not growing if there is a freeze?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about the nuts, Veronica. Seems like some years we just don't have any. But my friend's family is farm family and they say its unusual that its this bad. I'm curious too but don't know the answer.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you try the pie.
Have a great day.
southernplate.com has a recipe using crushed pretzels for pecans. We have a gazillion acorns and hickory nuts this year, so many that you have to be careful walking in the yard lest you start rolling on them! My put off with pecans this year is the high price at thye grocery store! Wish I had a pecan ree of my own!
ReplyDelete