Instructions:
Preparing the Crust:
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold butter pieces to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Ice Water: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of ice water over the flour mixture. Mix gently with a fork, adding more water, one tablespoon at a time, just until the dough comes together.
- Chill: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Roll Out & Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough on a floured surface and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Prick the bottom with a fork, line with parchment paper, fill with pie weights or dried beans, and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove the weights and parchment, and bake for another 10-15 minutes until golden. Let cool.
Making the Filling:
- Process Pistachios: In a food processor, grind the pistachios with the sugar until finely ground.
- Whip Cream: In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Mix Cream Cheese: In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the pistachio-sugar mixture, vanilla extract, and a few drops of green food coloring (if using). Mix until smooth.
- Fold in Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the pistachio mixture until well combined.
- Assemble Pie: Pour the filling into the cooled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Chill: Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours, or until set.
Garnishing:
Before serving, garnish the pie with whipped cream and chopped pistachios if desired.
Enjoy your homemade pistachio pie! This pie offers a perfect balance of nutty and sweet flavors, with a creamy texture that’s sure to delight any dessert lover.