Candace West gives us a great recipe to try as well as a taste of her new release, Valley of Shadows.
Piece of Cake? No! Give Me a Slice of Pie!
Nothing says Americana quite like pie! Whether it’s apple, pecan, coconut, or lemon meringue, Americans love their pies and guard their recipes like prized pieces of jewelry. Special occasions call for them, and sometimes we make them just because.
In my book, Valley of Shadows, families sit around the table for classic Southern vittles, and you can bet there’s pie on the table or in the back of a wagon. Ever heard of dinner on the ground? A few scenes depict ladies spreading tables for an outside feast as the men work together.
Food brings people together, especially during difficult times. A sense of normalcy comforts us. Just as it’s true for those in my book, it’s true today.
We’re facing difficult times, but Americans are making the best of it in ways they do best—helping others, keeping their sense of humor, praying, and passing recipes along the way. I’d like to pass one along to you.
I can’t take credit for this recipe. You can find this on the Pioneer Woman’s site. It’s simple, decadent, and my go-to for any occasion! This one will leave your loved ones begging for more if they’re chocoholics.
Chocolate Pie (Ladd’s Favorite Pie)
1 whole pie crust, baked and cooled.
1-1/2 cup sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
3 cups whole milk
4 whole egg yolks
6-1/2 ounces of bittersweet chocolate (I use about a cup of Ghirardelli 60% Bittersweet Chocolate chips) You could use any flavor to make a totally different pie. The base for this recipe would work either way!
2 tsp vanilla extract (or a few extra splashes for good measure)
2 tbsp butter
Whipped Cream (for serving)
Instructions
Whisk together the cornstarch, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan first
Pour the milk and egg yolks in the saucepan and whisk together with the other ingredients. Note: When I separate the egg yolks and set them aside in a bowl, I take a fork and whisk them before adding them to the dry mixture.
Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil and becomes thick. Keep an eye on it and do not stop stirring. Once it’s thick like pudding, remove from heat.
Add the chocolate, vanilla, and butter. Stir it all together until the chocolate is completely melted
Place it uncovered in the refrigerator to chill for 4 hours.
Enjoy!
About the Author:
Candace West was born in the Mississippi delta to a young minister and his wife. She grew up in small-town Arkansas and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello. When she was twelve years old, she wrote her first story, “Following Prairie River.” In 2018, she published her debut novel Lane Steen. By weaving entertaining, hope-filled stories, Candaces shares the Gospel and encourages her readers. She currently lives in her beloved Arkansas with her husband and their son along with two dogs and three bossy cats.
You can connect with Candace here:
www.candaceweststoryteller.com
www.facebook.com/inspirationalnovel
www.instagram.com/candace.west.posey.10
Valley of Shadows
Here is an excerpt from her current new release, Valley of Shadows:
Frowning, Earl was not to be sidetracked. “It was because of me, wasn’t it?”
Silence.
“Tell me, Lorena.”
“Let’s just forget it, Earl.”
Earl shook his head, stepping closer. “You know as well as I do that’ll never happen. Neither of us will ever forget. I’m asking you to tell me. Please.”
Wrenching her gaze from his, Lorena linked her fingers behind her back. “All right. It was because of you. After you took Lane, I quit playing. It hurt too much, brought back too many memories. I told Father to get it out of the house. I didn’t touch a piano again until Lane came back, and even then, she had to beg me.”
For several long moments, silence enveloped them. The wind in the trees moaned through the hills, whispering around them of things they both yearned to forget. The ease in one another’s company, heartfelt conversations, secret dreams. Moonlit walks together. Nights like this one.
The present, however, stood between them.
Earl shuffled his feet. “I stopped playing the violin a few years after I left and didn’t play again until the Lord came into my life.” He breathed deeply. Without warning, he reached out and tipped her chin up with his hand. “Dear heart, I destroyed a lot, didn’t I?”
Brimming with tears, Lorena’s eyes flew to his face. His old nickname for her, spoken in that miserable way, rattled her defenses. “Please, please don’t call me that.”
As though burned, Earl snatched his hand back. “I’m sorry, Lorena. I didn’t mean to say that.” His fingers kneaded his forehead. “I’ll see you on home.”
“No, I prefer you didn’t.” Gathering her skirts, Lorena scrambled away, away from him, away from their past. If only she could keep on running.
Purchase links:
https://www.amzn.com/B084YQHMS9
Lane Steen: https://www.amzn.com/B07VCZ5MV3