"Pumpking" Pie

Yes I know it's misspelled. Every time I type "pumpkin" it just seems natural to add a "g". I actually saw it misspelled the same way on another website just last week.

My opportunities to misspell pumpkin were numerous before Thanksgiving because I made a list of all the pumpkin possibilities I wanted to try for Thanksgiving dinner. My choices ranged from Pumpkin Cheesecake to Pumpkin Streusel pie to pumpkin pudding, just to name a few. Oh, and pumpkin cupcakes.

I think I gave myself too many pumpkin choices, because along with Honey Crunch Pecan Pie, Apple Crumble Pie, Sugar Cookie Cutouts, and Sweet Pumpkin Cupcakes, I ended up making a plain and simple Libby's pumpkin pie. With the other, more interesting desserts on the table, just a few pieces were eaten, including the sliver I got (just to make sure it was OK, mind you). After dinner, I put it in one of the refrigerator drawers, then forgot about it until three days later. By that time, I was worried that it was past its prime, so I furtively threw it into the trash (I had to be furtive because Hubby was looking for it.)

Because Hubby had asked so plaintively for his pumpkin (I just typed pumpking again) pie, I decided to make another pumpkin pie on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I wanted to try something different, because now I had the time to start testing those other pumpkin recipes that I had eyed so avidly while planning the Thanksgiving menu. I chose a pumpkin pie recipe that listed honey as the sweetener. It baked up beautifully and I proudly served it up. Hubby always has his pie top-heavy with Cool Whip, and as long as it tastes like pumpkin, he is happy. (After all, this is the man that, on a distant past Thanksgiving when I was so sick I forgot add sugar to the pumpkin pie, did not notice because most of his mouthfuls were filled with airy bites of faux whipped cream.) I had two pieces of the honey pumpkin pie, because I was pumpkin hungry, and it was good.

Now here is the sad truth: I missed my Libby's pie. That pie--the one I threw away--was really good. It was the old tried and true recipe, with the good, earthy mouth-feel of pumpkin, just the right amount of sugar, and the familiar--and perfect--blend of spices.

So next year, with the possible exception of a pumpkin cheesecake, I think I will stick with Libby's "Pump-King" Pie--why mess with perfection?