Million Dollar Pie, Cooking & Spirituality

By Lucia Ferrara

Years ago, I picked up an old cookbook at a garage sale and found this recipe. According to the description in the old book, everyone who tasted this pie said the same thing: “This pie tastes like a million dollars!” And that, apparently, is how it got its name.

It’s really kind of coco cream pie or a coconut custard pie, but there’s no baking — not hot ovens — which makes this a perfect summertime treat. I have been serving it to my family for years and they always ask for more.

Oh, and by the way, it will be the featured desert at our Summer Picnic Celebration here at the Renewal Center on June 28. Join us for grilled burgers, brats and vegan options and make sure you stay for dessert. This is purely a social event — no books, no assigned readings and no homework! Come on down and reacquaint yourself with old friends and meet new ones. June 28 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. central time.

Million Dollar Pie Ingredients

• Two 9-inch graham cracker pie crusts
• 1 14 oz. can, sweetened condensed milk
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple, well drained
• 1-2 cups coconut, shredded and toasted
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 8 oz. tub non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
• 1 can of whipped cream
• 8-10 maraschino cherries for garnish

Cooking as Spiritual Practice

The following prayer is excerpted from “Blessing and Invocations of St. Patrick” in Earth Prayers from Around the World, edited by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon. HarperSanFrancisco, 1991.

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All the articles and videos in the Cooking and Spirituality Series can be found here.

[Lucia Ferrara, the Director of Hospitality at Precious Blood Renewal Center. Share your thoughts with Lucia or ask her questions using the form below or by sending an email to info@pbrenewalcenter.org.]

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