Ginger Sweet Potato Pie

Crust:
1 1/2 c ginger snap cookie crumbs
3 Tsp brown sugar
pinch of salt
4 Tsp melted butter or neutral oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put the crumbs, sugar and salt in the food processor or a bowl. Slowly add the butter, processing or stirring until well blended.
2. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and sides of a pie or tart pan. Bake until it just begins to brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool on a rack before filling, it will crisp up as it cools.

Sweet Potato Puree:
About 1 1/2 pounds sweet potato (you'll have extra compared to what you need for the pie)
salt
2 Tsp extra virgin olive oil or butter

1. Peel and trim the potatoes. Cut into roughly equal-size pieces, 1 or 2 inches in diameter. Put everything in a pot with water to cover and add a large pinch of salt; or put in a steamer above water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, usually about 5-15 minutes.
2. Drain the vegetables, reserving some of the liquid. Puree potatoes in food processor using some of the reserved water if necessary to aid blending. Add the olive oil or, for a richer flavor use butter (you can also add up to a 1/2 cup of cream, half and half or milk). Season with salt and reserve.

Pie Filling:
1 1/2 cup sweet potato puree
1 1/2 cup cream or half and half (and more if you want whipped cream)
4 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
Pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tsp minced crystallized ginger or 2 t minced peeled fresh ginger

1. Oven at 350.
2. Put the sweet potato and the cream in a small pot and heat until steaming. Whisk together egg and yolks, sugar, salt, vanilla and ginger. Gradually pour in the sweet potato and cream while whisking. Pour into the cooled crust.
3. Bake until the mixture is not quite set - it should jiggle a bit in the middle - 35-45 minutes. It will set and thicken more with cooling. Remove and let cool to room temperature. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours. Serve with whipped cream - yum!


From Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything Vegetarian
posted by BNH,ELE