Falling in Love Chocolate Mousse Pie

    The following is a recipe inspired by the movie Waitress, starring Kerri Russel. The movie is about a waitress who sees very little potential in herself. Throughout the film she discovers that her love of baking and strong will are all she needs to create a happier future for herself. She also discovers that she does not have to settle for a life in servitude to her husband. After a tawdry affair with a doctor she steps over the threshold and into her new life. (If you have a couple extra bucks, I'd really recommend this movie!)   
    
    This pie has served me very well on a number of occasions. The ingredients are inexpensive, adding up to about $10-12 total, and the feedback has always been very good. As the title suggests this pie is all about love. Chocolate takes time, patience, and understanding... very much like a relationship. 

Ingredients:

• - You will need a 9inch pastry shell. I prefer to make my own but store bought is just as good. I would recommend using a graham cracker crust for this pie instead of dough. It just adds something.
• - One 14oz can of condensed milk (non evaporated)
• - 2/3 cups water
• - Two cups of who milk. Let's be honest here, if you're looking for a low calorie pie/dessert then you wouldn't be making a chocolate pie. 2% or skim milk does not give the pie the creamy and rich flavor we're looking for. 
• - One (4 serving) package of chocolate pudding mix (NOT INSTANT!)
• - One bar of Giardinelli Chocolate. You may use dark or milk.
• - Three cups of heavy whipping cream .

Instructions: 
    To begin: In a large saucepan combine the condensed milk, whole milk, water, and the pudding mix. Mix constantly at medium heat. It's important to not let the pudding mixture clot at the bottom of the pan. If it does it will begin to burn and the pie will taste like burned chocolate. After the mixture is thoroughly combined add the bar of chocolate. Mix rapidly and make sure the chocolate does not begin to clot. Now add 1 1/2 cups of whipping cream to the filling mixture. Remove from heat and mix until silky smooth. Pour the filling into your prepared pie shell. Chill pie for 2-4 hours before serving. 

Best whipped cream:
 - 1 1/2 cups Heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons of sugar

Use an electric mixer and beat until stiff white peaks form. Chill. 
 [Alternately, a meringue also tastes amazing on this pie. I will later write detailed instructions on how to make a fail-safe meringue.]


Last time I made this pie I used Keebler's miniature pie crusts to make a snack size pie that my boyfriend could take to work with him.