HALF OF A PIE RECIPES

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F (middle rack).
• To make crust: mix together all ingredients.
• Press into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie plate (1-quart capacity).
• Bake for 12 minutes: cool completely.
• For filling: in a 3-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan (make certain to use a heavy saucepan for this as it will scorch on the bottom) stir together 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, salt and egg yolks.
• Whisk in half and half cream; bring to a boil slowly over medium heat, whisking constantly, then add in the finely chopped chocolate until smooth and melted; cook about 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly until thick (filling will be very thick).
• Remove from heat and add in butter and vanilla.
• Cover the top of the filling with plastic wrap (lay the plastic wrap directly on top of filling) and cool slightly (about 1-1/2 - 2 hours).
• Spoon the filling into the crust and cover lighty with plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate pie for a minimum of 6 hours (don't try to cut into the pie before the 6 hours it will not hold together!).
• Just before serving whip the cream and spoon on top of pie, the grate chocolate on top of the whipped cream if desired.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Sprinkle half of the butter and lard over the flour and use your fingertips, a pastry blender, or two knives to cut and mix until the mixture resembles large peas. Sprinkle in the remaining butter and lard and cut and mix to coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the dough with ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and use a fork to lightly mix until the dough just comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Gather the dough into a ball. Divide the ball in half. Press into two 1-inch-thick discs and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before rolling, or freeze for later use.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 12 inches in diameter. Drape the dough over the rolling pin or fold it into quarters and transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Press the pastry evenly into the pan, without stretching to fit. Trim the edges and crimp decoratively, as desired. Prick the crust all over with the tines of a fork. Cut parchment paper to fit the bottom and halfway up the sides of the pan. Line the pie shell with the paper. Pour in pie weights, uncooked rice, or dried beans to cover the bottom and sides of the crust. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove the paper and weights and bake the crust 5 minutes longer for a partially baked crust, or 10 minutes longer for a fully baked crust, until it looks dry and crisp.