French Silk Dream

Once upon a time, in a dream far away... there was pie. I like pie... who doesn't. Wait it wasn't a dream it was IHOP on Colorado Blvd in Denver.  That would be International House of Pies. Oh my they had everything. Oh French Silk... Chocolate clouds, dreamy creamy...
A girl, a pie, Soul Train playing on the TV... what I wonderful dream....

INGREDIENTS

CRUST

• 30 chocolate wafers, (see Tip)
• 2 tablespoons chopped pitted dates
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 
  

FILLING

• 1 tablespoon brewed coffee
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 8 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, divided
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-process
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons dried egg whites, (see Ingredient Note), reconstituted according to package directions
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan with cooking spray.
2. To prepare crust: Combine chocolate wafers and dates in a food processor; process until finely chopped. Add water and oil and process until moistened. Press into the bottom and sides of the prepared pan.
3. Bake until crisp, about 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
4. To prepare filling & garnish: Combine coffee and water in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin on top and set aside to soften.
5. Whisk egg, milk, 3 tablespoons brown sugar and cocoa in a small saucepan until smooth. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F, 5 to 7 minutes. Do not let the mixture come to a simmer. Remove from the heat. Add the reserved gelatin mixture; stir until dissolved. Add chocolate and vanilla, stirring until melted. Set aside to cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
6. Beat reconstituted egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until frothy. Increase speed to high and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 5 tablespoons brown sugar, beating until the meringue is smooth and glossy.
7. Whisk one-fourth of the meringue into the cooled chocolate mixture until smooth. Scrape the chocolate mixture into the remaining meringue and fold in with a whisk. Spoon the filling into the crust and chill, uncovered, until set, about 3 hours.

From EatingWell:  September/October 2008, October 1997, The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004)