Dark Chocolate Cream Pie

Notice my absence? Yes, even a chef needs a little holdiay! And merriment...but don't worry, I am back. I promise! With more fabulous eats and yummies for the new year. 2010 - the year of making some killer grub!

Christmas dinner was a (surprisingly) big event in my little home. We did a local, healthy, organic turkey with all the fixings, sides upon sides of good food, and of course... dessert! One of my desserts this year was a smoky dark chocolate cream pie.

I started from the good old Taste of Home Dark Chocolate Cream Pie recipe and made a few modifications. A little fussing usually makes the recipe really taste like it came out of your kitchen! 

One of the first things I did was add a wee bit more dark chocolate - and GOOD chocolate. I made sure to run by our local market  and find a good giant piece of lovely organic dark chocolate from the bulk section. Next I added a another 1/2 teas. of vanilla as well as a little bitty dash of almond extract. I melted the chocolate until it was nearly smoking to give it a smoky flavor (not recommended for everyone) and finished off my modifications by adding a good dash of cayenne pepper to give a full aroma to the chocolate and some spice!

OMG, it was amazing. The pie that is... as well as the mimosas I was part taking in during the baking experience.

And a little shout out to my grandparents' and mother's home town - Tinely Park, IL.