Mississippi Lemon Chess Pie

One of my best girlfriends, Jennifer, recently inherited a priceless collection of recipes from a beloved aunt. My little southern heart beat fast at the prospect of finding original recipes like my grandmother and great-grandmother used to make. With her permission, I took pictures of several and am eager to put them all to the test.
My first try was this wonderfully rich pie. Chess Pie is at the heart of any true southerner, and this recipe artfully balances the sweet with the fresh lemon flavor. I'm not typically a huge lemon dessert fan, but this has won me over and I've made it twice already.

See the recipe in the picture below and read my previous posts to find crust recipes and tips.

Lemon Blueberry Trifle

This dessert is light in calories and in taste, perfect for a hot summer's day or after a heavy meal.

Every time I make a trifle, I think of that episode of Friends where Rachel tries to make one but the pages were stuck together in her cookbook. . . "Bananas, whipped cream, beef sauteed with peas and onions. . . "

1 Sara Lee Pound cake, partially thawed
1 reg. carton of Cool Whip
1 can Blueberry Pie filling
1 box of lemon pudding
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Slice cake in 1 inch squares, place 1/2 in bottom of dish. Mix pudding according to directions, pour 1/2 on top of cake. Do not stir. Spoon 1/2 of blueberries on top, making sure some are against glass for effect. Repeat steps. Top with remaining Cool Whip. Right before serving, top with almonds.

Tips:
The basis for a trifle is usually a cake cut in squares, a pudding, fruit/preserves, whipped cream and sometimes nuts. There are so many variations, you can easily make this into your favorite dessert!

Toast almonds by placing in single layer on a cookie sheet in the oven for 10-15 min on 350 degrees. Warning, they go from perfect to burned in 30 seconds, so keep an eye and nose out for them. Crack the oven open while toasting, and as soon as you can smell them, check on them. They should be just turning brown. Set aside to cool.

A trifle dish is a glass bowl with straight sides and a stand. A glass bowl will easily substitute. 

This dish is not very good the next day, so encourage people to eat seconds!

Pampered Chef makes an excellent trifle dish that comes with a lid and a removable base for ease of transportation.

Use your creativity, and enjoy!

Photos by Rhema Faith Photography