Pistachio Pudding Pie

If you're a fan of pistachios, this dessert is for you! This creamy pistachio pie is delicious and easy to make. Its pretty green color adds a festive touch to any holiday dinner. 

Ingredients:

• 1 small package of pistachio pudding and pie filling mix
• 1 3/4 cup of heavy whipping cream
• 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs 
• 1/2 cup of melted butter or margarine
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 50 shelled pistachios--ground (crust)
• 20 shelled pistachios--chopped (garnish)

Weapons of choice:

• 2 medium mixing bowls
• 1 large pie dish or pan
• Electric mixer
• Measuring cup
• Icing spreader
• Large chopping knife

Directions for the Crust:
Add graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and ground pistachios to bowl. 

Mix well until crumbs are well-saturated. 

Press crumbs into pie dish and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Set aside and let cool.

Directions for the Pie Filling:
Add 1 3/4 cup of heavy whipping cream and package of pudding/pie mix to bowl. Beat on medium speed until filling stiffens. 

Putting the Pie Together:

Carefully spoon pie filling onto cooled pie crust and spread evenly. Add chopped pistachios to top of pie to garnish. 

Place pie in refrigerator for one hour to cool. 

Apple Pistachio Salad

This zesty salad, loaded with flavor, is satisfying by itself or as a side to any meal.  The juicy sweetness of the apples combined with the salty, savory crunch of the pistachios create a unique and healthy combination.  Green onion and dried cranberries give an added kick!  

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed salad greens
• 1/2 of a medium apple, chopped
• 1 small green onion stalk, sliced
• 1 handful of dried cranberries
• 1 handful of shelled, salted pistachios

Dressing options:

This salad would be delicious with Oil and Vinegar dressing, or Raspberry Vinaigrette; however, we had a bottled Sweet Vidalia Onion dressing on hand, which proved to compliment all the ingredients very well!