PINEAPPLE PISTACHIO PIE

My grandchildren love Watergate or Pistachio Salad.  When I saw this Mr. Food pie recipe I knew it would be a hit at our house!

2 cups shortbread cookie crumbs

3/4 cup chopped walnuts, divided

1/4 cup (½ stick) butter, melted

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup lime juice

1 (4-serving size) package instant pistachio pudding and pie filling

1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained

1 cup (½ pint) heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
 

In a medium-sized bowl, combine cookie crumbs, 1/4 cup walnuts, and butter. Press into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate to form a crust. Bake 10 minutes, then remove from oven and allow to cool.
 

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, with an electric beater on medium speed, beat cream cheese for about 1 minute, until fluffy. Add sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and pudding mix and continue beating 2 to 3 minutes, until smooth. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup walnuts and pineapple.
 

In a medium-sized bowl, with an electric beater on medium speed, beat cream 5 to 6 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into pudding mixture and pour into pie crust. Cover and chill at least 6 hours, or overnight.

Note: Any type of shortbread cookies can be crumbled to create the cookie crumbs - even cookies that already have nuts in them. But if you use cookies with nuts, then leave out the 1/4 cup of walnuts that go in this crust.