Kentucky Derby: Part Two

Kentucky produces over 90% of the nation's bourbon. It is not surprising there are a plethora of dessert recipes that use bourbon as an ingredient. 

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Cook's notes: Adapted from Michele Stuart’s book "Perfect Pies"
Make your own pie crust or use a prepared refrigerated pie crust
Ingredients:

• prepared pie crust or homemade
• 3 large eggs room temperature
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 brown sugar
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• 1 TB. vanilla
• 2 TB. bourbon
• 5 TB. melted butter 
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup whole pecans
• 3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Pie Crust

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees 
• Prepare pie shell and place in a 8-inch pie plate so the edges of the circle drop over the rim.
• Using your thumb and index finger, crimp the edges of the pie shell.
• Blind bake crust for 5 minutes (overlap 2 pieces of foil in center of pie shell-edges of foil will hang over the pan edge).
• Remove foil and bake 2 minutes longer-set aside. 
• Reduce temperature to 325 degrees.

For the filling: 

• Use a mixer and mix the eggs, sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and bourbon. (Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl at least twice while mixing.)
• Add in the warm melted butter and mix well.
• In a separate bowl, combine the pecans and chocolate. Sprinkle the mixture over the bottom of the pie shell. Pour the filling over the nuts and chips. Arrange carefully whole pecan pieces on top of filling. 
• Use strips of foil on outside edge of pie crust to prevent over browning. 
• Place the pie plate on a baking sheet, and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the pie is firm. (The middle will remain a little loose but firm up after the pie is removed from the oven)
• Transfer the pie to a wire cooling rack, and let it cool for 2 to 3 hours before serving.
• Serve with ice cream or whip cream.
• Note: This pie is best served at room temperature or warmed at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 2 weeks.

Cook's notes: The famous Kentucky Derby pie was the inspiration for these creative looking cupcakes. 
http://www.polkadotchair.com/2011/05/derby-cupcakes.html/

Cook's Notes: The mint julep was the inspiration for this delicious southern cake. 
http://oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/2011/05/kentucky-derby-mint-julep-cake-mothers.html

Unlike recent years, the 143 rd Kentucky Derby doesn't have a horse that oddsmakers expect to run away from the field. In fact, the first leg of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown appears as wide open as it's been in years.

If Classic Empire wins with jockey Julien Leparoux aboard, the Bay colt will join last year's winner, Nyquist, as one of only three horses in thoroughbred racing history to win both the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the Kentucky Derby.

For now, it's last year's best 2-year old who appears to be the early favorite, according to various betting services. VegasInsider.com: Good luck to all

Always Dreaming 3/1; McCraken 15/4; Gunnevera 11/2; Irap 11/2; Irish War Cry11/2; Classic Empire 6/1; Practical Joke 8/1; Girvin 14/1; Gormley 15/1; Lookin At Lee 15/1; Tapwrit 16/1; Thunder Snow 18/1; Hence 20/1; J Boys Echo 25/1; Battle of Midway 35/1; Sonneteer 35/1; Untrapped 35/1; Royal Mo 40/1; Cloud Computing 45/1; Patch 45/1; Fast and Accurate 50/1; State of Honor 55/1; Petrov 70/1.