Buttermilk Chess Pie With Georgia Peach Topping Recipes

PEACH MELBA PIE WITH BUTTERMILK CARAMEL

Steps:

• For the crust: Pulse the flour, sugar and kosher salt in a food processor to combine. Scatter in the butter pieces and pulse until the butter is the size of small peas. Sprinkle with the vinegar and 5 tablespoons of the water. Pulse until the dough just begins to come together. (If the dough is still floury and crumbly, add the last tablespoon of water and pulse again.) Dump the dough on the counter and press into a disc with your hands. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• For the filling: Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the preserves and stir until smooth, then simmer until syrupy, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar, brandy, lemon juice, ginger and nutmeg. Add the peaches and raspberries, then sprinkle with the cornstarch and toss to coat the fruit in the cornstarch.
• Roll the dough on a floured counter to a circle about an inch or so wider than the top of the skillet. Trim the dough to clean up the edges, then lay the dough over the top of the skillet, tucking the edges inside. Cut 3 small slits in the top of the dough to let steam escape. Brush the dough with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.
• Place the skillet on the lined baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake until the filling is bubbling and the crust is crisp and deep golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool at least 30 minutes before serving.
• For the sauce: Put the caramel sauce in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until it starts to simmer, then whisk in the buttermilk and flaky salt. Return to a simmer and simmer until smooth, about 1 minute. Let cool before serving.
• To serve, scoop the pie into serving dishes and drizzle with the sauce. Sprinkle with additional flaky salt, if desired.

CLASSIC CHESS PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the crust: Whisk together the flour and salt in a large bowl. Remove the butter from the freezer and work it into the dough by hand, working quickly to keep the butter as cold as possible. (Cold butter flakes are the secret to a flaky crust.) Be sure to leave pea-size butter flecks visible. Slowly pour the ice water into flour mixture. Using your hands, mix until a dough starts to form. Be careful not to overmix. It should appear shaggy but cohesive.
• Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a 1/4-inch-thick circle, 12 inches in diameter. Transfer the dough round to a 9-inch pie dish. Press the dough down into the dish. Tuck any overhanging dough back under the rim, using your hands to create a thick outer edge. Use a fork to crimp the edges or your hands to pinch for a more professional look. Place in the freezer to chill for 15 minutes.
• Remove from the freezer. Using a toothpick or a fork, poke holes in the bottom of the crust. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill the raw pie shell with pie weights or dried beans. Blind bake for 15 to 20 minutes until it begins to lightly brown. Remove from the oven and remove the parchment and pie weights.
• Beat the egg and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl. Brush the edges of the crust with the egg wash. Return to the oven and bake until light golden, about 10 minutes. Remove and let cool completely before filling. Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• For the filling: Whisk together the melted butter, sugar and eggs in a large bowl. Once combined, stir in the buttermilk, cornmeal, vanilla and salt. Pour the custard into the cooled pie crust. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, checking the pie after 30 minutes and tenting the crust with foil if it is browning too quickly. When the pie is ready, a skewer inserted into the center should come out clean and it should reach an internal temperature of 200 degrees F.
• Cool on a wire rack for 3 to 4 hours. If cut while too warm, the filling will not be set. Once cooled, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, cut into slices and serve.