Chocolate Pecan Pie

4 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 tablespoons margarine, melted
3 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup (light or dark)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups pecan halves
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell, homemade or frozen

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a double boiler melt chocolate and margarine. Let cool slightly. Beat eggs lightly in medium bowl. Add sugar, corn syrup, chocolate mixture, and vanilla; stir until well blended. Mix in pecans.
Set pie shell on heavy-duty baking sheet and pour in filling. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, until knife inserted midway between center and rim comes out clean.
Cool pie on wire rack to room temperature before cutting.

Cranberry Cream Pie

1 cup fresh orange or tropical juice
1/2 cup sugar
5-6 ounces shortbread cookies
1/2 cup (2 1/2 ounces) roasted almonds
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 8-ounce package frozen cranberries, thawed
1 1/4-ounce packet unflavored gelatin or 1 TBS
2 cups heavy cream

Special Equipment: 9-inch springform pan

Warm the orange juice and sugar in a small pot over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Transfer to a large bowl and refrigerate until just cool, about 30 minutes.

Pulse the cookies and almonds in a food processor until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse to combine. Press the cookie mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. (I baked about 10 min at 375 until lightly golden and then cooled)

Clean the food processor, then add the cranberries and 1/4 cup of the cooled juice and puree.

Sprinkle the gelatin over the remaining juice and let stand for 1 minute. Stir until the gelatin dissolves. Add the pureed cranberries and stir to combine.

Beat the cream in a medium bowl using a whisk or electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the cranberry mixture until well combined. Pour the cranberry cream into the crust. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.

Tip: The Cranberry Cream Pie can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator until serving.

Yield: Makes 8 servings

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 528(63% from fat); FAT 37g (sat 19g); SUGAR 31g; PROTEIN 8g; CHOLESTEROL 101mg; SODIUM 105mg; FIBER 2g; CARBOHYDRATE 46g