Black Bottom Pie
~Mix 1/2 c sugar, cornstarch and salt in 2 qt saucepan
~Whisk milk and egg yolks in small bowl, stir into sugar mixture gradually
~Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils
~Boil and stir 1 minute, reserve 1 cup of mix
~Sprinkle gelatin on cold water; stir into remaining hot mix. Stir in rum flavoring
~Chill in bowl of ice or in fridge until mixture mounds slightly when dropped from spoon
~Mix chocolate and reserved custard mix; pour into baked pie shell
~Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy
~Beat in 1 Tbl sugar at a time; continue beating until stiff and glossy. Do not underbeat
~Fold gelatin mixture in meringue. Spread over chocolate mixture
~Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours
~Spread sweetened whipped cream (cool whip) over pie and sprinkle with shaved chocolate if desired