Get Your Derby On: Pie, Pie, Pie

It ain't Derby week until I make and eat Derby Pie. What is Derby Pie? Why am I addicted to it? Why is it a legal obligation for any and all Derby parties? Details after the jump...

Derby Pie is an uh-mahhhz-ing dessert first created at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky by restaurateur George Kern. The name for the dessert was chosen randomly--George Kern's family literally tossed a bunch of ideas in a hat, and 'Derby Pie' had the luck of the draw. You can't make this stuff up.

You can't make a 'Derby Pie,' either, as the name is trademarked. You can order a pie directly from Kern's Kitchen, though, because the internet is a marvelous thing. You can also insist that any friends/relatives in Kentucky bring one or more Derby Pies to you each time they visit. This is my plan, and it has worked out beautifully.

I also make a similar pie every year. Since we can't officially call our culinary creation 'Derby Pie,' I like to get creative: Kentucky Derby Pie, Kentucky Pie, Bluegrass Pie, The State Between Tennessee and Indiana That Has a Famous Horse Race Pie.

Your My Old Kentucky Home Pie will consist of flour, eggs, sugar, butter, walnuts or pecans, vanilla, chocolate chips, a pre-made pie crust, and bourbon. Glorious Bourbon! (I plan on raving more about Kentucky's Official Spirit when we get to Friday's post--Mint Juleps, y'all.)

Try this recipe, as it's closest to mine. My recipe was given to me by a sweet little elderly lady at one of my Dad's churches under the promise I never share it with anyone: I'm taking it to the grave. I will say that this recipe omits the important step of drinking the bourbon as you make the pie. Momma's gotta have fun in the kitchen, okay?

You can try this recipe as well. It produces an equally delicious pie but omits the Maker's Mark. I would, however, double down on the vanilla extract in its absence.

I usually make two pies: one for our family and one I bring to work. Two pies should be plenty for a Derby Party, unless you plan on inviting me--then you will need to make three pies.

Tomorrow's Derby Dish: Kentucky Hot Brown (Quit giggling. It's an actual food and not something you'd find on Urban Dictionary).