Benny's Chop House Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout January By Serving His Favorite Dessert - Pecan Pie

Benny's Chop House (444 N. Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 312-626-2444) pastry chef Aaron Lindgren has added a special sweet treat to Benny's dessert menu just in time to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day - pecan pie. Historians say the southern gentleman loved the nutty, crusty dessert, which is believed to have originated in New Orleans. Go on, abandon that New Year's resolution on January 21 (and throughout the month of January) and indulge at Benny's in honor of Dr. King.

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY BROWN BUTTER PECAN PIE

Pie Dough
Serves 8
3 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 Tablespoons Sugar
� Teaspoon Salt
12 oz. Butter (salted)
1 Egg
3 T Water (cold)

Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl combine the flour and sugar. Dice butter into �" pieces or smaller, then chill till very cold. Beat egg, water, and salt until pale (no air) and set aside. Mix the dry ingredients and butter by hand or in a small electric mixer with a paddle until the mixture is pea size or smaller. Add liquids and combine quickly, just until the dough mixture is one uniform piece. Wrap the dough mixture in plastic and chill. Roll the chilled dough to the preferred thickness and size. Line the pie pan with dough. Use the tines of a fork to press small holes in the bottom of pie shell. Freeze shell after lining it with a coffee filter that has been sprayed with non-stick baking spray. Fill the dough lining 70% full with beans or rice. Bake shell in oven that has been pre-heated to 375 degrees F. Once shell edges turn golden remove filter and contents to finish baking until desired color is reached.

Pie Filling
Serves 8

12 oz. Butter (salted)
9 Eggs
10 Egg Yolks
3 Cups Dark Corn Syrup
2 Tablespoons Molasses
1 � Cups Brown Sugar
1 Whole Vanilla Bean (sliced lengthwise and scraped)
� Teaspoon Salt

Instructions:
Brown the butter with the vanilla bean over a low flame in a small sauce pan and reserve while cooling. In a large mixing bowl whisk the sugar and salt with the eggs. Combine with the corn syrup, molasses and browned butter.

Pie Baking Instructions
Place enough pecans in the pre-baked shell (enough to fill the shell to the bottom edge of the crust). Pour filling over nuts until desired height is reached. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. until nuts are dark brown and pie does not jiggle when shaken.

Cool and serve with soft whip cream or ice cream.