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Bean pie

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bean pie
A selection of bean pies
TypePie
Place of originUnited States
Main ingredients

A bean pie is a sweet custard pie whose filling consists of mashed beans, usually navy bean, sugar, eggs, milk, butter and spices.[1] Common spices and flavorings include vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Variations can include cloves, ginger, pumpkin pie spice and lemon extract.

History

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In 1884, a recipe for bean pie was published in the New Kentucky Home Cook Book, contributed by Lucy Keith and compiled by the ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Maysville, Kentucky.[2] According to her obituary, "she was a typical daughter of the old South, noted for her kindness and charity and was a life long member of the M.E. Church, South."[3]

Bean pies are now commonly associated with African American Muslims' cuisine as an alternative to soul foods, except those containing vanilla extract or imitation vanilla extract as they contain alcohol.[4] The pies are also specifically associated with the Nation of Islam movement and Elijah Muhammad, who encouraged their consumption instead of certain ingredients associated with soul food.[1][5][6]

Members of the community commonly sell bean pies as part of their fundraising efforts. The bean pie was allegedly introduced by Wallace Fard Muhammad, who was a restaurateur in the 1910s and 1920s prior to founding the Nation of Islam in 1930.[1][5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Anastopoulo, Rossi (November 13, 2018). "The Radical Pie That Fueled a Nation". Taste. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  2. ^ New Kentucky Home Cook Book. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Methodist Publishing House. 1884. p. 228.
  3. ^ "Mrs. Lucy M. Keith". The Public Ledger. February 4, 1918.
  4. ^ "No Fail Bean Pie Recipe". Allrecipes. June 17, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Sula, Mike (2013-11-18). "Bean pie, my brother?". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  6. ^ "Bean Pie". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2024-08-24.