Libby's Pumpkin Pie

This is our go-to pumpkin pie recipe....from the back of the Libby's brand pumpkin can.

Ingredients:
1 can (15 oz) Libby's 100% pure pumpkin
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

2 large eggs

1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell

Instructions:

Mis dry ingredients in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and dry ingredient mixture. Gradually stir in milk.

Pour into pie shell.

Baked in preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 30-40 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Pasta Pie

A favorite main course when we celebrate Pi Day on March 14th each year. This recipe was found on Noble Pig.

Ingredients:
1 lb Rigatoni
2 T. olive oil, divided
1 lb. ground beef
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 t. freshly ground pepper
1 28oz can good quality crushed tomatoes
butter, for pan
salt
1 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
8 oz. coarsely grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions:
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until slightly underdone. Make sure to use a big enough pot. When done, rinse in cold water and drain again. Toss pasta with 1T. olive oil to coat. Set aside.

Heat remaining 1 T. olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally until browned. Add garlic, 1 t. salt and pepper. Cook 2 more minutes.

Add crushed tomatoes; simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Toss pasta with parmesan cheese. Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Tightly pack pasta into pan, standing each piece on end. Spread meat sauce on top of pasta.

Push the meat sauce into the pasta holes, filling each one up. Stuffing the meat into the holes can be tricky.  I like to use chopsticks. This can also be VERY time consuming so plan accordingly to get all the sauce into the pasta.

Place in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen and then unmold.

Cut into wedges and serve with any remaining meat sauce you might have.

Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

Recipe from food.com

This is the recipe I seem to make whenever I have ripe bananas and I want to make a pie without going to the store for anything. Usually I have all these items on hand.

Ingredients:
1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked (or make your own)
3 cups whole milk
3/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 t. salt
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
2 T. butter
1 t. vanilla
3 bananas

Instructions:
1. Have baked 9-inch pie shell ready
2. In large saucepan, scald the milk
3. In another saucepan, combine the sugar, flour and salt;l gradually stir in the scalded milk
4. Over medium heat, stirring constantly, cook until thickened.
5. Cover and, stirring occasionally, cook for 2 minutes longer
6. In a small bown, have the 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten, ready; stir a small anount of the hot mixture into beaten yolks; when thoroughly combined, stir yolks into hot mixture.
7. Cook for one minute longer, stirring constantly
8. Remove from heat and blend in the butter and vanilla
9. Let sit until lukewarm.
10. When ready to pour, slice bananas and scatter in pie shell; pour warm mixture over bananas.
11. Serve with whipped cream and fresh sliced bananas on top.