Pumpkin Pie With a Twist

     It's been way too long since we've celebrated Pie Monday. That's partially because it's time to transition from sumer fruit pies to fall/winter ones, and also partially because I was sick and tired of making the crusts from scratch. Don't get me wrong, I love making pie, and it's known as my specialty, but I still really hate making crust. I've done it successfully before, and I know I'll do it again, but it's just so darn finicky, that I'm temporarily a little bit over it. If you're up for it, click here. If not, do like I did today, and use the greatest culinary invention ever, pre made, refrigerated crust. If you do that, pumpkin pie is one of the easiest pies to make. Now I make my pumpkin pies with a twist: a little bit of orange marmalade. One time, all I had in the pantry was peach, so I used that, and that turned out just as good. I think the little pop of fruitiness really adds something special to the pie without becoming distracting. But if you insist on being super traditional, you can follow the recipe, except leave out the jam.

INGREDIENTS:
1 refrigerated pie crust
1 15oz can of pumpkin
1 12oz can of evaporated milk
1/3 cup orange (or peach) jam
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 and spray a glass 9inch pie plate. Carefully unroll the crust, and place it inside.
2. In a large bowl, beat all of the other ingredients until completely smooth. You can do it with a mixer or by hand with a whisk.

3. Pour the filling into the crust, and crimp the edges to make it look pretty. Walk very slowly and steadily as you take the pie to the oven, and bake it at 425 for about an hour. Check it after 50 minutes, and make sure the crust isn't burning and a toothpick in the center comes out clean. If the crust is overdone, but the middle is underdone, cover it with foil, and give it a few more minutes.

Told ya it was easy! Slice it up, and enjoy!

Now please just do me one favor, and NEVER buy a pumpkin pie at the grocery store again EVER. PLEASE, it's just not worth it.