Spicy Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

In the 1950s, an inventive cook created a fluffy mixture by folding beaten egg whites into a creamy pie filling. The result was so light and airy it looked like a pile of chiffon and so the name for this recipe was coined.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups finely crushed gingersnaps and/or finely crushed graham crackers
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 4 large egg whites
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
• 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (2 teaspoons each)
• 1 1/4 cup evaporated skim milk
• 1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin

• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar

How to make it   40 minutes, plus cooling time

• 1

  Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, stir together the gingersnaps and the 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. In another small bowl, combine 1 of the egg whites and the melted butter. Add to the crumb mixture and stir until combined. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a lightly greased, 9-inch pie plate. Bake for 4 to 5 minutes or until edge of crust is starting to brown. Cool on a wire rack.
• 2

  Meanwhile, in a medium-size saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over milk; let stand for 1 minute. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes or until gelatin dissolves completely, whisking constantly. Remove from heat.
• 3

  In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon rind, ginger and cloves. Stir in the gelatin mixture. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 4

  In a clean, large heavy saucepan, with an electric mixer on high, beat the remaining 3 egg whites and the 2/3 cup granulated sugar over low heat for 6 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Fold into the pumpkin mixture. If necessary, refrigerate until the mixture mounds slightly when dropped from a spoon. Spoon the pumpkin mixture into the baked crumb crust. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.

Nutritional Information(per serving)

• Calories: 278
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 9 mg

• Sodium: 227 mg
• Carbs: 52 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g