Chocolate Mixed Nut Pie with a Sprinkle of Kindness

Imagine that-Chocolate Mixed Nut Pie With A Twist upstaged a planned Beef Tamale Cornbread Casserole Pie for today's posting!! 

But who could resist such a chocolate treat. And this is just not any traditional pecan pie but one with several twists-swap pecans for a mixed nut combo that gives the pie a sweet and salty flavor and crunch, Sweet Mexican chocolate that goes beyond the chocolate with hints of almond and cinnamon and a bit of espresso powder. Top the pie with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream and it's all piece de resistance. 
Recipe adapted from BHG November 2017

Chocolate Mixed Nut Pie

Cook's Note: Mexican chocolate such as Ibarra or Taza can be found Mexican markets or Hispanic sections of supermarkets. If not readily available you can substitute the following to the 3 oz. of bittersweet chocolate, adding in 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. almond flavoring.  

Ingredients:

• 1 single pie crust
• 3 large eggs,slightly beaten
• 1 cup dark or light corn syrup 
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla 
• 1 tsp. instant espresso coffee powder 
• 1-1/2 cups mixed nuts combo, coarsely chopped, reserve 1/4 cup for topping
• 3 oz. sweet-style Mexican chocolate, coarsely chopped or bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped with 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. almond flavoring

Directions:

• In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, vanilla and espresso powder until well combined. Stir in 1-1/4 cups mixed nuts and chopped chocolate mixture. Set aside. 
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Prepare pastry and fit into a 9 inch pie pan.  Crimp edges and place foil strips around the outer rim to prevent over browning.  
• Place pie pan on oven rack and carefully pour filling in by the cupfuls into the pie pan. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of reserved nuts. 
• Bake for 15 minutes at 425  degrees. Reduce heat to 325 degrees.
• Bake 25 -30 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean from the center.

P.S. Beef Tamale Cornbread Casserole will make an appearance next.

World Kindness Day November 13th need not be just one day but should be practiced every day. Here's some ideas to keep the kindness going... 

30 Acts of Kindness : November Challenge
1. Donate to a local food pantry
2. Volunteer for a worthy cause
3. Start a gratitude journal
4. Shop handmade on Black Friday
5. Make someone their favorite meal
6. Donate a coat
7. Compliment a cashier
8. Give yourself a yes day
9. Pay for someone’s meal
10. Thank a veteran
11. Show your gratitude to a loved one
12. Jot down 30 great things about yourself
13. Give something to a homeless person
14. Let someone else have the parking spot
15. Donate to Toys for Tots
16. Invite someone new over for a meal
17. Make someone a handmade gift
18. Email an old friend
19. Donate to a local rescue or animal shelter
20. Thank you local police or firemen
21. Thank your delivery drivers
22. Leave unused coupons at the store
23. Let someone checkout before you
24. Bake something for a friend or loved one
25. Return someone’s cart for them
26. Compliment a loved one
27. Send flowers to someone
28. Hold the door for someone
29. Celebrate world kindness day (Nov 13)
30. Leave kind notes in library books