What a difference a week makes. Just seven days ago I had no idea what a "Derby Pie" was. Today (right now to be exact) I have eight in the oven, with a promise of at least six more.
First, a disclaimer. The name "Derby Pie" is a registered trademark of Kern's Kitchen, which registered the name in 1968. The company uses the name in the form "DERBY-PIE®" in official literature and advertisements. According to Wikipedia, the Derby Pie was created by George Kern at the Melrose Inn of Prospect, Kentucky. It is a chocolate and walnut tart in a pastry crust, with Kentucky bourbon.
The Kentucky Derby is this weekend.
“The Run for the Roses” or “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the Kentucky Derby is a 1.25 mile race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses. By-the-way, The phrase "Run for the Roses" was coined by New York sports columnist Bill Corum, who would later become president of Churchill Downs.
The race begins at 6:04 p.m. I watch it on television every year... besides the pie, here's what you gotta know:
- The Mint Julep -- is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. It is an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint, and a sweet syrup and is traditionally served in a commemorative Kentucky Derby glass. Early Times is the official Kentucky whiskey used to make Mint Juleps at the Kentucky Derby.
- Millionaire’s Row -- is the premium seating area that houses all of the rich and famous Kentucky Derby guests during the races.
- The Infield -- is the flat, grassy area inside of the track. The infield is best-known for hosting the largest Kentucky Derby party.
- The Triple Crown -- is a series of three races, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, that is run annually by a group of thoroughbred horses. Only 11 horses have won the Triple Crown, the most recent was Affirmed, in 1978. The most famous was Secretariat, in 1973.
- The Derby Hat Parade -- takes place inside of Churchill Downs and refers to the sea of stylish and elegant hats worn by women and men alike during the Kentucky Derby.
- My Old Kentucky Home -- the song played when the horse are led onto the field, has been played by University of Louisville Marching Band since 1936.
But we digress.
Back to the pies. Here is a recipe similar to the one we use, only smaller...
First the flour and the sugar.
Then the melted butter and chocolate chips, eggs and pecans (or walnuts, if you have them).
Then the good stuff. I suppose any Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey will do, but this is what I like.
Mix it all up (you can use a smaller mixer...).
Pour it into the pie shells and bake.
Easy as pie. Should go great with vanilla ice cream, don't you think?
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