Sorry for the newbie question (I've never made a pecan pie). Do I add the pecans to the mixture whole? Am I supposed to chomp them? IIRC the pie itself is chewey in the middle with a sort of pecan topping. I haven't had pecan pie in a while so I can't really remember.

I'm desperate for pie this Thanksgiving and looks like I'll be the baker so I wanna do it right. =)