This week, my Aunt Esther, (my mother’s sister), had open heart surgery. The surgery went well, but she had complications that gave us quite the scare. I was particularly worried, since I am very close to my aunt, and I see her often.
Her husband died when my cousins were very young. It was a tragedy for us all, as he was one of the loveliest man you could ever meet. Esther suffered this tragic loss with great dignity, and raised her children without complaints and without a husband. As one of eight children in a poor family, she had a tough life, but meeting her you would never know it.
Her face lights up when she sees you, and she greets you with warmth that makes you feel special. Her smile and laughter light up the room. Even at her age, she loves to be around young people–she says they make her feel alive and happy. When you hear laughter in the next room, you can be sure she is the cause. Her many tales of her upbringing make me remember my own mom.
Her greatest quality is her ability to see the good in every situation. No matter what, she always knows the right thing to say. She loves life and sees the best in everybody. She has generated more compassion than any person I have ever met. She is happy all the time. You never see her worried or down, not ever. She turned 90 today and her granddaughter is getting married in May.
I went to visit her in the rehab center today. You would never know what she had been through just four days ago. She was so happy to see me when I came into her room with flowers and balloons for her birthday. And I was so relieved she was back to being herself. She jokingly told me she couldn’t wait to get out, because of “all the old people there. ” More than anything, she wants to be strong enough to make it to her granddaughter’s wedding. She will, I just know it. When it was time for me to leave she said, “Cindy always be happy and look at all the good you have.” I was just happy I still have her.
Next time I go to see her, I will be sure to bring her some of this pie. It is my first no-bake pie. It was refreshing to just place it in the freezer and not have to stress about the cooking time, (I always worry about that). Peanut butter, cream cheese, and graham-crackers – oh my! The cream cheese and peanut butter blend into delicious goodness. The whipped cream gives it just the right amount of sweet, and makes this pie so creamy and velvety. The graham cracker crust is an exceptional home to the sweet filling. Every bite is a little piece of perfection. One for now, and for your “keepers” list!
This pie is courtesy of Epicurious and will serve 8 people who will truly love this decadent dessert.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Pie:
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter; press into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Bake until brown, about 5 minutes.
Set aside to cool completely.
With a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the cream at high speed until it forms stiff peaks.
Transfer to a large clean bowl and set aside.
Fit the stand mixer with the paddle attachment and a clean bowl; add the cream cheese, peanut butter, brown sugar, and vanilla and beat at high speed until the mixture is smooth and silky.
Gently fold the cream cheese-peanut butter mixture into the whipped cream with a spatula until completely blended.
Spoon into the cooled pie shell and smooth out the top.
Place the pie in the freezer for 1 hour or until ready to serve (if you are going to leave it in the freezer awhile, wrap it in plastic wrap after 1 hour so it doesn’t get freezer burn).
Take the pie out of the freezer 15 minutes before serving. Slice it and pig out!
It’s that simple!
