On 4/17/2018 11:03 AM, jmcquown wrote:
> On 4/17/2018 11:42 AM, wrote:
>> Always read the recipe with an eye for calculation first.
>>
>> That is, I have Sheila Ferguson's 1989 book "Soul Food: Classic
>> Cuisine from the Deep South," so I thought I'd try making the Black
>> Bottom Pie, which I had never tasted. The recipe calls for a cup of
>> sugar. Sounds reasonable? Yes, until you think about what you're
>> reading and you realize that the bottom half - the chocolate half -
>> gets only 1/4 cup of the sugar, along with 2 ounces of UNSWEETENED
>> chocolate!
>>
>> Luckily for me, I tasted the chocolate mixture before pouring it into
>> the crust. I added more sugar immediately. Next time, I'll use
>> semi-sweet chocolate and the same amount of sugar. I'm pretty sure
>> most people won't think that's too sweet. (Calling for unsweetened
>> chocolate HAD to have been a mistake. I only hope there aren't too
>> many mistakes in the book.)
>>
>> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/603329.Soul_Food
>> Â* (reader reviews)
>>
>> The top half, btw, is custard made with milk, eggs, cornstarch,
>> gelatin, and bourbon - or rum, as you prefer.
>>
>> Ferguson grew up in Philadelphia and in 1967, became a member of the
>> soul music group The Three Degrees. She left in 1986. For about a
>> quarter-century, she lived in England (that explains the tips in the
>> cookbook for English readers) but she moved to the island of Majorca
>> (Spain) in 2008.
>>
>> You can see her singing "When Will I See You Again" here (she's the
>> lead singer):
>>
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6fVDAjs9f0
>>
>>
>> Lenona.
>>
> I don't claim to be any kind of expert on the deep south or soul food
> but I've never heard of Black Bottom Pie.Â* I'm glad you were able to
> adjust the recipe to the sweetness you desired.
>
> Jill

I grew up in northeast Ohio (close to Amish country). I learned about
Black Bottom Pie, Apple Pan Dowdy, and similar items at that time (but
only when we visited Dutch restaurants). I have lived in east Texas for
many years, and I have never heard of those desserts since I moved here.

MaryL