HALF PIE RECIPES

Steps:

• Mix cornstarch and sugar. Add 4 tablespoons butter and half and half. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and becomes thick and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Preheat oven broiler to high.
• Pour mixture into pie crust. Drizzle 2 tablespoons butter over top and sprinkle with cinnamon. Put under broiler until butter bubbles--watch it carefully as it doesn't take long. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

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.