This year, celebrity chef and restaurateur Giada De Laurentiis is offering a refreshing alternative to traditional Thanksgiving dessert flavors. While apple, pumpkin, and cranberry are standard Thanksgiving fare, De Laurentiis is championing a lemon-flavored pie – a surprisingly delightful choice that’s generating buzz.
Introducing the Lemon Olive Oil Pie
The star of De Laurentiis’ annual Thanksgiving menu is her Lemon Olive Oil Pie, a unique dessert that combines bright citrus notes with an Italian-inspired twist. “Silky, bright, and a little unexpected, this pie takes inspiration from classic Key lime, but with a distinctly Italian twist,” De Laurentiis notes on her website, Giadzy.
The recipe highlights the use of olive oil, a key ingredient in Italian cuisine, to balance the tartness of the lemon. This addition creates a complex flavor profile that distinguishes it from typical lemon desserts.
How to Make the Lemon Olive Oil Pie
The pie-making process involves several straightforward steps, making it accessible to home bakers of all skill levels.
Here’s a breakdown of the recipe:
- The Crust: Begin by creating a shortbread crust. Grind shortbread cookies in a food processor and combine them with sugar and melted butter. Press the mixture into a pie pan and bake until golden.
- The Filling: For the filling, you’ll need lemon juice, olive oil, and condensed milk, among other ingredients. These are whisked together until smooth and then poured into the cooled, baked crust.
- Baking and Chilling: Bake the pie until the filling is set. Allow at least 3 hours (or preferably overnight) for the pie to cool completely in the refrigerator before serving.
- Finishing Touches: Before serving, create a light and fluffy whipped cream topping. Spread the cream over the pie, and add a final flourish with a sprinkle of lemon zest and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
Why This Pie is a Welcome Addition
The choice of lemon for a Thanksgiving pie might seem unconventional. However, it offers a welcome contrast to the heavier, richer desserts typically associated with the holiday. This lemon pie provides a lighter, more refreshing option, cutting through the richness of the Thanksgiving meal. The unexpected combination of lemon and olive oil creates a unique flavor profile that is sure to impress.
The lemon pie’s bright, citrusy flavor and Italian flair provide a fresh alternative to traditional Thanksgiving desserts, offering a lighter, more vibrant end to the holiday feast.
You can find De Laurentiis’ full Lemon Olive Oil Pie recipe online HERE.
