Chocolate Stout Silk Pie

This scrumptious pie is truly more than the sum of its ingredients. Rich, dense, silky, and irresistible, you truly must try it to believe it. If you can operate a blender, you can make this pie!

 
Tools: Blender, two small saucepans
Preparation time: About 10 minutes
Cooking/chilling time: About 4 to 6 hours
 
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chopped bitter chocolate) 1 teaspoon vanilla
24 large marshmallows 1 tablespoon quality bourbon or crème de cacao (optional)
pinch of salt 1 ready-made butter-cookie-crumb or graham-cracker pie crust
2/3 cup stout (or porter)  
1/3 cup heavy cream or evaporated or condensed skim milk Whipped cream and shaved chocolate and/or toasted crushed nuts for garnish
 
  1. Place chocolate chips, marshmallows, and salt in a blender.
  2. In two separate saucepans, heat stout and heavy cream until very hot but not boiling. (Don't heat them together in one container, or the cream will curdle.)
  3. Pour the stout and cream into the blender and blend on medium for 1 minute. Add the vanilla and bourbon, continuing to blend until very smooth.
  4. Pour the mixture into the crust and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours or until firm. Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate or toasted nuts.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings