Austral 9-8-2003

1 unbaked pie crust, homemade or bought

1 egg yolk beaten with a pinch of salt until it is thick and creamy

1 cup milk

4 tablespoons granulated, white sugar

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 cups chopped pecans

1 pound pitted dates, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons honey

4 tablespoons butter, cut into 4 pieces

1 teaspoon vanilla

32 pecan halves

Line a pie pan with the crust and press a piece of aluminium foil on top of

it to conform to its shape and covering the edges of the dough. Pour 1 pound

rice or an appropriate amount of pie weights into the foil and mound along

the edges to keep the sides of the crust from losing their shape. Place the

dough in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Take the dough out of the oven

and remove the foil and its contents. Prick the bottom of the crust all over

with a fork, brush the top and half way down the sides with the beaten egg

yolk and replace the pan in the oven until it is a golden brown all over,

about 5 - 7 minutes longer.

To make the filling place the milk and sugars in a large saucepan, bring to

a boil and simmer until the mixture thickens and produces large bubbles,

about 15 minutes. Stir in the chopped pecans, dates, salt and honey and cook

until the mixture is thick, just a few minutes more. Stir in the butter,

then when it has melted add the vanilla. Spoon the mixture into the pie

crust and place the pecan halves in eight lines going from just off the

center to the side of the pie, so that each piece, when it is cut, will have

a line of nuts down the center. Allow the pie to cool, then refrigerate

overnight. Before serving bring the pie to room temperature.