David Guas' Pecan Pie Recipe

I’ve probably been eating pecan pie since I was in diapers. Nut allergies? Please. Southerners are weaned from the bottle with pecan pie, celebrate marriage with pecan pie, and say goodbye to their loved ones with pecan pie. When I was in my teens, I’d go to the Camellia Grill on Carrollton Avenue and sit at the counter for a burger, dressed (in New Orleans-ese that means with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo), cheese fries, and pecan pie, grilled on the flat top on both sides and then topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. That said, like most Louisianans, I ate the bulk of my pecan pie at the kitchen table surrounded by relatives and relations. Below is my recipe for pecan pie from my cookbook. I’m particularly loyal to Louisiana-grown ingredients, which is why in addition to Louisiana pecans I like to sweeten my pecan pie with cane syrup rather than corn syrup or molasses. Cane syrup gives this pie the earthiness of molasses minus its bitter qualities and is a whole lot more interesting, flavor-wise, than corn syrup.  — Chef David Guas Click here for other chefs' holiday culinary traditions. Adapted from "Dam Good Sweet, Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth New Orleans Style" by David Guas.