Can We Make a Pumpkin Pie Mommy? (Recipe Included)

I have discovered that, as my child ages (she's now 3) her expectations of me also increase. It is fall and along with these cooler days comes seasonal decorations that include pumpkins. Gorgeous little pie pumpkins that are a perfect size for my daughter to hold. Accompanying this gesture of veggie affection is a a complementary vocabulary - for example "can we make pumpkin pie Mommy?" Imagine, if you will, my facial expression the first time this is uttered... Make pumpkin pie...hmmm...sure honey!

What am I thinking? I'm no baker and am quite honest about this culinary deficit but when your own child looks you in the face with such glee and you, yourself, have very fond memories of your own mother baking up sheer masterpieces, you wish to give this same dessert foundation experience to your own offspring. "Sure honey - let's make pie!"

Then comes a good 5 to 7 days of frenzied requests to friends for a recipe and/or a frantic search through your own mental rolodex of "can't-do-it" excuses. No excuse seems sufficient and you've got to keep the "big ones" for situations that truly merit them (example - "no we can't have Christmas at Grandma's house this year - how will Santa know where to deliver surprises?")

Alas, if any of you are crazy enough to commit to such obligations, I thought I could at least provide you a recipe. Let me know how your pie turns out...

Pumpkin pie (from fresh pumpkin)

Ingredients:
2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin
12 oz Carnation milk
2 eggs lightly beaten
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp each cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt

Preparation:
PREHEAT OVEN TO 400F 1/2 pumpkin, scoop out seeds and stringy portions. Cut into chunks and boil in about 1 inch of boiling water, Drain, cool and remove peel. Mash, drain well again. Roll out crust and transfer to pie pan. With mixer on medium, beat pumpkin with evaporated milk, eggs, brown sugar and spices. Mix well. Pour into crust. Bake 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from edge comes out clean

Servings: 8

Thank you to http://www.canadianliving.com/food/pie__pumpkin_pie_from_fresh_pumpkin.php for providing the recipe :)