Other than the Alaska mountain ranges, I have never seen anything more beautiful than Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall. The colors and wildlife just take your breath away.
A couple weeks ago my husband's sister and her husband came to visit us for the first time. We did all the local Colorado stops including Rocky Mountain National Park. The elk were making their annual appearances in full force and were a sight to see!
We made a day of it, packed up a wonderful wine picnic lunch and enjoyed the most incredibly memorable afternoon by the creek with our delights.
Never a dull moment when my husband is around!!
A feast for the forest!
Cheers and a toast by all!
Before all our company arrived, our neighbor gave us a huge bowl of beautiful fresh raspberries from her garden...so many that I didn't know if we could use them all. I remembered a decadent dessert my friend Toni made for us once, her famous Chocolate Silk Torte. Given I was trying to make this thank you dessert for our neighbor during the middle of the week, I needed to do some short cuts.
I figured out a semi-homemade fudge bottom, chocolate silk pie with fresh raspberries and cream. Wow!!! Went together really easy and quick. Our neighbor was so overjoyed with our gift, she was speechless. Oh, don't worry...there were so many raspberries, I made a pie for us too. This recipe will make many future appearances...I think my friend Toni would be proud of me!
Chocolate Raspberry Silk Pie
For Friends and Neighbors
2 packages (3.9 ounce) Jell-O Chocolate Fudge Flavor Instant Pudding
2 cups cold milk
4 ounce Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
1 Oreo pre-made pie crust
1 tub (8 ounce) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
2 cups fresh raspberries, washed and dried
powdered sugar
fresh mint leaves
Beat pudding mixes and milk in large bowl with electric mixer and whisk on high for 2 minutes.
Microwave (3 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate on high 1 minutes, or until almost melted. Stir until completely melted. Stir in 1 cup of the pudding and pour into crust.
Add half the Cool Whip to the remaining pudding. Fold and mix carefully until fully combined. Spread over the pudding/chocolate layer in crust.
Add 2 rows of raspberries around perimeter of pie. Top with a couple spoonfuls of Cool Whip and garnish with a few more raspberries and sprig of mint.
Dust powdered sugar over the raspberries. Grate/shave the remaining chocolate over the pudding areas and center.
Chill for at least one hour (the longer it chills, the better) before serving.
Ready for special delivery.
Pairs really well with a red wine, warm fire pit and beautiful night.
One Year Ago: Chocolate Chip Shortbreads
Two Years Ago: Chicken Tortilla Soup
