A Thousand Ways to Please a Husband is the deliciously retro title of a book by Louise Bennett Weaver and Helen Cowles LeCron, first published in 1917, although my copy revised and updated copy dates from 1932. The book follows the first year of married life for fictional characters Bettina and Bob. In it I found this delicious-sounding recipe for Butterscotch Pie, which for some reason sounds especially appealing today. Use your favorite baked pie shell.

BUTTERSCOTCH PIE

1 c. dark brown sugar
4 T. flour
2 egg yolks
1/8 tsp. salt
1 3/4 c. milk
1 T. butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped pecans (optional)
1 baked pie shell

Blend the sugar and flour. Then add the yolks, salt and milk. Cook in a double boiler until thick and creamy, stirring frequently. Add the butter and vanilla (and pecans if desired) and pour into the baked pie shell. Cover with meringue.

MERINGUE

1 egg whites
4 T. sugar

Beat the whites until stiff, then add the sugar and beat until creamy. Roughly spread on the filling, and bake for ten minutes in a slow (325 degree) oven.