Posted by Sara on May 22, 2009 in
Cooking,
Kentucky,
Southern Cuisine 
When I was young my family lived in Louisville, Kentucky. I wanted to race in the Kentucky Derby. I had a rather vivid imagination, so I named my horse and painted pictures of my silks. Too bad I was already taller than most jockeys. Oh…and did I mention I have no idea how to ride a horse?
So, since my racing career never made it out of the starting gate, I now opt for the next best thing. Every May on Derby weekend I make a Kentucky Derby Pie. My recipe is courtesy of an old Southern Living clipping. Although I cheat and use a refrigerated pie crust, the filling is rich with Kentucky’s Maker’s Mark bourbon and the chocolate and pecan topping is decadent.
Is it a winner? You bet.
CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE a.k.a. Kentucky Derby Pie (Southern Living)
1/2 (15 oz) package refrigerated piecrusts
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup (6 oz) semisweet chocolate morsels
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup bourbon (or substitute water)
4 large eggs
2 tspn cornmeal
1/2 tspn salt
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 tspn vanilla extract
FIT piecrust into a 9-inch pieplate according to package directions, fold edges under and crimp.
SPRINKLE chopped pecans and chocolate morsels evenly onto the bottom of the piecrust, set aside
COMBINE sugars, corn syrup and bourbon in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
WHISK together eggs and remaining ingredients. Gradually stir about one-fourth hot mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly. Pour filling into piecrust.
BAKE at 325 degrees for 55 minutes; cool.
Tags: Kentucky Derby Pie, Maker's Mark Bourbon
Posted by Sara on Dec 1, 2008 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Southern Cuisine 
One word. Yum!
Get it at Hoovers in Austin.
Don’t walk. Run!
Tags: Hoover's, Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Posted by Sara on Aug 30, 2008 in
Southern Cuisine,
Texas 
As you’ve probably noticed, things have been quiet here on Dixie Gypsy. I realized I said I was going to tell you how to make spinach enchiladas. Well, I am going to do that, but not today. Today I’m going to tell you how much I love the quiet. For the first time since November, we’ve had nearly two full weeks of quiet. No visitors. No travels. I’ve barely left home. Wait! I take that back. I’ve left home nearly every day…but only to mosey up the street to the neighborhood pool. Titus LOVES to swim. And I love to watch him toddle around the baby pool in the security of his innertube. He’s quite proud of his independence. Schools have started again here in Austin so we practically have the place to ourself. Aaaahhh…this is the life.
Okay, I’m just going to say it. Birmingham, Alabama isn’t a place many people think of for a final vacation destination. It’s more of a “passing through” kind of place – it’s one of those cities on the trip south on I65 to the beach or on the trip east on I20 to Atlanta. It’s a foothill town. Not a mountain town.
Read more…
Tags: Alabama, Birmingham, Fish Market, Frog Legs
Posted by Sara on Mar 2, 2008 in
Cooking,
Kentucky,
Southern Cuisine 
Collard greens are a staple of Southern cuisine, yet I’ve never been brave enough to try them until tonight. The idea of wet, wilty, cooked leaves was not particularly appealing; but the end result…delightful! Read more…
Tags: collard greens, Cooking, leather britches, salt pork, shucky beans, Southern Cuisine
