I planned to write about ceviche today, but the breaking news changed my mind.

No matter what your opinion of Michael Jackson and his tortured personal life, he gave us some wonderful music over a long period.

Jackson, who grew up the seventh of nine children, was known for his love of sweet potato pie, and there is a recipe widely available known as “Michael Jackson’s Sweet Potato Pie.” You can use canned sweet potatoes in this recipe or you can peel and cook fresh sweet potatoes.

I found this version on the Web site recipezaar.com. Listen to some of Michael’s music while you’re baking it.

Ingredients

9-inch unbaked pie shell
21⁄2 cups sweet potatoes
1⁄3 cup milk, about
1⁄4 cup butter, melted
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1⁄2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1⁄2 cup pecan halves (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Beat eggs and sugar. Add butter, salt, milk, vanilla and spice to the eggs and sugar mixture. Add mashed sweet potatoes and lemon juice.

Pour it all into unbaked pie crust. If desired, top with pecan halves.

Bake at 400 for 10 minutes and then reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees and bake another 40 minutes until pie is golden.