1
unbaked pie crust, homemade or bought
1
egg yolk beaten with a pinch of salt until it is thick and creamy
1
cup milk
4
tablespoons granulated, white sugar
2
tablespoons light brown sugar
2
cups chopped pecans
1
pound pitted dates, finely chopped
1/4
teaspoon salt
2
tablespoons honey
4
tablespoons butter, cut into 4 pieces
1
teaspoon vanilla
32
pecan halves
Line
a pie pan with the crust and press a piece of aluminum foil on top of it to
conform
to its shape and covering the edges of the dough. Pour 1 pound rice or an
appropriate
amount of pie weights into the foil and mound along the edges to keep
the
sides of the crust from losing their shape. Place the dough in the oven and
bake
for
20 minutes. Take the dough out of the oven and remove the foil and its
contents.
Prick
the bottom of the crust all over with a fork, brush the top and half way down
the
sides with the beaten egg yolk and replace the pan in the oven until it is a
golden
brown all over, about 5 - 7 minutes longer.
To
make the filling place the milk and sugars in a large saucepan, bring to a boil
and
simmer until the mixture thickens and produces large bubbles, about 15
minutes.
Stir in the chopped pecans, dates, salt and honey and cook until the
mixture
is thick, just a few minutes more. Stir in the butter, then when it has melted
add
the vanilla. Spoon the mixture into the pie crust and place the pecan halves in
eight
lines going from just off the center to the side of the pie, so that each
piece,
when
it is cut, will have a line of nuts down the center. Allow the pie to cool,
then
refrigerate
overnight. Before serving bring the pie to room temperature.