Recipe: Our Lady's Pie

Yesterday was the feast of the Queenship of Mary. Because it's been SO DARN HOT here in the Big Square State (and of course, we don't have air-conditioning), I KNEW I could NOT fire up the oven to bake something .... so, what's a mom to do who is trying to incorporate cooking math with living the liturgical year?

Invent her own dessert -- and BOY was it well received! For those of you who might be in a similar situation, here's the recipe ...

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OUR LADY's PIE

(prep time -- 20 min; chilling time -- 1 hr + at least 1 more hour)

Ingredients:

(1) 9-inch chocolate cookie pie crust (such as Keebler or Oreo)

(1) 8oz. tub frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)

(1) box blueberry flavored gelatin (such as "BlueBerry Blast" from Jello)

(1) cup fresh or frozen blueberries

(12) round chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)

First-layer of gelatin:

• Open gelatin packet and measure out slightly less than 1/4 cup of powder (this is half the package).
• Pour 3/4 cup boiling water on the 1/4 cup of gelatin and stir until gelatin is dissolved.
• Mix in 1/3 of the FROZEN whipped topping; stir until the topping is mixed in completely. Place the remainder of the whipped topping in the 'fridge to thaw till dinner.
• Pour into the 9-inch pie crust and chill for at least an hour.

While the first layer is chilling, you can start the next layer:

• Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over the remainder of the gelatin package. Stir until the gelatin is dissolved.
• Add frozen blueberries or fresh into the gelatin; if using fresh blueberries, add 1/4 cup of cold water.
• Place in 'fridge for an hour or just until the gelatin begins to set.

After an hour or so, spoon the blueberry-filled gelatin over the top of the whipped-topping gelatin, being careful not to mix the layers. Continue to chill the pie at least one more hour or until ready to serve.

When ready to serve:

• Spoon remaining whipped topping over the pie.
• Place 12 round chocolate sandwich cookies on-end round the rim of the pie.

ENJOY!

Here's the meaning we developed for this pie:

• Cookie crust -- dark like the devil, crushed under Our Lady's foot
• 1st Layer -- Our Lady's pale blue veil
• 2nd Layer -- Our Lady's rich blue gown
• Whipped topping -- the white covering of her purity
• 12 cookies -- the stars, as related in Revelations 12, the surrounded her head symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel as well as Mary's part in conquering death for once and for all.

Living the liturgical year is not hard -- just combine it with meal-planning (and throw in some cooking math) and you've got a celebration that will be remembered!