Introduction of Ube Pie
Ube pie has taken the dessert world by storm, enticing taste buds with its rich, earthy flavor and vibrant purple hue.
From Filipino cuisine, this pie features a rich and creamy filling made from purple yam, also called ube.
In addition to its vibrant purple color, ube pie offers a distinct twist on classic desserts, combining the earthy sweetness of ube with flaky pie crust.
Here, we explore ube pie’s origins, ingredients, preparation, and cultural significance.
Enjoy a culinary journey celebrating this delightful creation!
What is Ube?
Ubes are tuberous root vegetables native to Southeast Asia, also known as purple yams or Dioscorea alata.
In Filipino cuisine, ube is prized for its natural vivid purple color and sweet, nutty flavor, and it is gaining popularity worldwide as an exotic ingredient in desserts.
The Rise of Ube Pie
Recently, ube has gained popularity in the dessert scene, inspiring a wave of innovative creations, such as ube pie.
Incorporating the lusciousness of ube with the comfort of a classic pie, this delightful confection has captured the hearts of dessert lovers everywhere.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mashed purple yam (ube)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 prepared pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Prepare the Ube Filling:
- Cook the purple yam (ube) until it is tender. Once the ube has been cooked, peel it and mash it until smooth. Alternatively, you can use frozen grated ube.
- Combine the mashed ube, granulated sugar, beaten eggs, evaporated milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Mix all the ingredients well until smooth.
Preheat the Oven:
- To bake the pie, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Pie Crust:
- To prepare a store-bought pie crust, follow the package instructions for prebaking or thawing.
- You can make your pie crust by rolling out the dough and lining a 9-inch pie dish with it. The edges should be crimped as desired.
Fill the Pie Crust:
- Make an even layer of ube filling in the pie crust, using a spatula to spread it out evenly.
Bake the Pie:
- In a preheated oven, bake the filled pie crust for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
- Halfway through baking, you can cover the edges with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from over-browning.
Cool and Serve:
- After the ube pie has been baked, allow it to cool on a wire rack to room temperature.
- Refrigerate the pie for a few hours before serving to allow the filling to set completely.
- Serve slices of ube pie with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if you like.
Enjoy:
- Indulge in the irresistible combination of flavors and textures as you savor each bite of this delightful ube pie.
Variations of Ube Pie:
Ube Cheesecake Pie:
Adding a layer of ube cheesecake filling to your pie will combine the lusciousness of ube with the creamy indulgence of cheesecake.
Mix some mashed ube into a classic cheesecake batter before pouring it over the crust. For a heavenly dessert, bake until set.
Coconut Ube Pie:
Infuse your ube pie with the sweet, nutty flavor of coconut to give it a tropical twist.
For an extra crunch, sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top of the pie or mix shredded coconut into the ube filling.
Ube Chiffon Pie:
Create a light and airy version of ube pie by transforming it into a chiffon pie.
To create a fluffy texture, whip the egg whites into stiff peaks and fold them into the ube filling.
Make a refreshing dessert option by pouring the mixture into a prebaked pie crust and chilling until set.
Ube Cream Pie:
Make a creamy ube pie for an ultimate comfort dessert.
Make a silky custard filling with ube flavor and top it with whipped cream.
Add shaved chocolate or grated ube as an elegant garnish.
Expert Tips for Perfecting Your Ube Pie
Selecting Quality Ingredients:
You can achieve the best flavor and color in your pie by using fresh, high-quality purple yams (ube).
Use frozen grated ube or ube powder from reputable sources if fresh ube is not available.
Balancing Sweetness:
Depending on your preference for sweetness, adjust the amount of sugar in the filling.
Add more sugar if desired to the ube mixture before baking, keeping in mind that the sweetness will intensify during baking.
Achieving a Flaky Crust:
Make sure your pie crust is properly chilled before baking if you want a flaky and golden-brown crust.
Roll out and line the pie dish with a homemade crust that has been refrigerated for at least 30 minutes.
Baking Techniques:
Halfway through baking, cover the edges of the pie crust with aluminum foil or a pie shield to prevent them from over-browning.
As a result, the filling will cook evenly without burning the crust.
Cooling and Setting:
The baked pie should be allowed to cool completely at room temperature before slicing and serving.
Refrigerate the pie for a few hours or overnight to allow the filling to set fully, resulting in clean and neat slices.
Garnishing Creatively:
Put a sprinkle of toasted coconut, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a dusting of powdered sugar on your pie garnish.
It’s easy to add these little touches to your dessert masterpiece to elevate the presentation and make it even more flavorful.
Health Benefits of Ube
Besides its irresistible taste and stunning appearance, ube is also packed with health benefits.
In addition to providing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, ube contributes to your overall health and well-being.
A Cultural Icon
Filipino culture holds ube in high regard as a symbol of tradition, celebration, and community.
Whether enjoyed at festive gatherings or as a special treat with loved ones, ube pie embodies togetherness and joy.
Conclusion
Ube pie offers a delightful fusion of flavor, color, and cultural significance that captivates dessert lovers worldwide.
Ube pie has a silky texture and a rich, nutty taste that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries it.
So why wait? Put on your aprons, gather your ingredients, and get cooking.
Ube Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Mashed purple yam (ube)
- 1 Cup Granulated sugar
- 2 Large Eggs, beaten
- 1 Cup Evaporated milk
- ¼ Cup Unsalted butter, melted
- 1 Tsp. Vanilla extract
- 1 Prepared pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Prepare the Ube Filling:
- Cook the purple yam (ube) until it is tender. Once the ube has been cooked, peel it and mash it until smooth. Alternatively, you can use frozen grated ube.
- Combine the mashed ube, granulated sugar, beaten eggs, evaporated milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Mix all the ingredients well until smooth.
Preheat the Oven:
- To bake the pie, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Pie Crust:
- To prepare a store-bought pie crust, follow the package instructions for prebaking or thawing.
- You can make your pie crust by rolling out the dough and lining a 9-inch pie dish with it. The edges should be crimped as desired.
Fill the Pie Crust:
- Make an even layer of ube filling in the pie crust, using a spatula to spread it out evenly.
Bake the Pie:
- In a preheated oven, bake the filled pie crust for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
- Halfway through baking, you can cover the edges with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from over-browning.
Cool and Serve:
- After the ube pie has been baked, allow it to cool on a wire rack to room temperature.
- Refrigerate the pie for a few hours before serving to allow the filling to set completely.
- Serve slices of ube pie with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if you like.
Enjoy:
- Indulge in the irresistible combination of flavors and textures as you savor each bite of this delightful ube pie.
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