Egg Custard Pie

George Hirsch November 25, 2025

The trick to making an old-fashioned custard pie is to cook it very slowly and evenly—don't be tempted to open the oven to peek until near the end of the baking time

.Egg Custard Pie

yields one 9” pie or 4 individual 3” tarts

3 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 teaspoon fresh-grated nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon fresh-grated orange zest

1 (9") unbaked pie shell, see Graham Cracker Crumb Crust recipe below.

Preheat oven to 425°. Prick a 9" unbaked pie shell all over with a fork and bake till lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove; lower oven to 300°.

Beat eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Pour into the crust. Bake until custard is set but still a bit wobbly, about 1 hour. Cool completely before cutting.

Graham Cracker Crumb Crust

1 3/4 cup Graham Cracker crumbs

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 pound / 8 T butter, melted butter

Mix all ingredients and press evenly into a 9-inch pie shell, or small individual tart shells. Chill for 30 minutes.

**Enjoy another fall favorite, baked in under 30 minutes**

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Pumpkin Crème Brulee

George Hirsch November 15, 2025

Make a great, easy fall crowd-pleaser dessert. I have made thousands of pumpkin brûlées this time of year, an ideal seasonal treat. The custards can be made in advance and refrigerated, actually improving the pumpkin custard flavor. However, burn the sugar just before serving to keep it crisp and crunchy. And what a show-stopper for your guests when you torch the sugar. Enjoy!

Chef George Hirsch’s Pumpkin Crème Brûlée

Makes 8 4-inch tarts

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle

1 ½ cups milk

1 ½ cups heavy cream

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon orange zest

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

8 egg yolks

¼ cup light brown sugar

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon light corn syrup

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch ground nutmeg

Pinch ground allspice

For the Brulee Sugar

3 Tablespoon granulated sugar

3 Tablespoon light brown sugar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon | RECIPE CONTINUED, SEE BELOW

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, cream, pumpkin puree, orange zest, and vanilla. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.

In the top of a double boiler, combine the egg yolks, brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, and cook until the mixture is lemon-colored and coats a spoon for about 4-5 minutes. Slowly add the pumpkin mixture and continue cooking until the mixture has the consistency of thick custard, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and pour into eight 4-ounce ramekins or tart shells. Chill for 5-6 hours.

In a small bowl, combine the brulee sugars and cinnamon for the topping. Before serving, top each custard with 1 Tablespoon of the sugar mixture. Light a butane torch to burn the sugar—moving the flame back and forth over the sugar until it darkens. Do not overheat or the custard will melt. Or, preheat the oven broiler and watch carefully so the pumpkin custards don’t burn.

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Pumpkin Stuffed with Chicken and Rice

George Hirsch October 16, 2025

So Perfect for Autumn

The ultimate one-dish meal is cooked in its own pot-in this case, and it's a pumpkin. I remember the year we picked a lot of pumpkins on the East End farms for decoration at my restaurant on Long Island. When it came time to use them up, this dish became a popular item on the menu.

If you like to experiment, add chickpeas, sweet peas, or slices of smoked sausage when adding the chicken. Or omit the chicken and add chopped cauliflower and mushrooms for a hearty, meatless squash.

Pumpkin Stuffed with Chicken and Rice

Recipe by Chef George Hirsch, Gather Round The Grill cookbook, 1995 | Makes 4 servings

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle

2 large pumpkins (8 to 12 inches in diameter), such as a cheese pumpkin or turban squash.

One 3-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces, or 1 1/2 pounds of chicken cutlets

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1/2 medium onion, cut into rings

1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch strips

1 cup long-grain rice

2 1/4 cups chicken broth

Puree from 1 head of Caramelized Garlic

2 bay leaves

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon hot sauce

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes Cooking Directions Below

Preheat the grill or 375-degree F oven.

Using a sharp knife, cut a 5-inch hole in the top of the pumpkin and remove the seeds. Reserve the lid.

Brush the chicken with some of the olive oil and grill for about 20 minutes or until three-fourths done. (if using cutlets, grill for 4 to 5 minutes.) Brush the onion and red pepper with the remaining olive oil and grill until light brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the onion and peppers and chop them into 1-inch pieces.

In a large saucepan, heat the rice and broth. Add the garlic, bay leaves, cilantro, cumin, hot sauce, and tomatoes. When the mixture begins to boil, stir in the onion, red bell pepper, and the par-cooked chicken.

Wrap the bottom of the pumpkin with foil. Spoon the mixture into the pumpkin, then cover with the pumpkin lid. Place the pumpkin on the grill, lower the grill hood, and cook for 45 to 50 minutes. You can also cook it in a 375-degree F oven. Remove the pumpkin from the grill and place it on a platter, discarding the aluminum foil and bay leaves.

Add a little additional broth if the mixture is too dry. Bring the pumpkin to the table and serve the chicken directly from it.

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