Chapter Fifteen: Horsing Around

I am hesitant to share a lot of personal information in such a public space, considering breaches in internet privacy and the inevitable moment I say something I regret. People, if I've learned anything it's that the internet never forgets. You might notice the absence of names for my husband and children in these posts, for that very reason. I'm not at all saying my internet use is the most careful, but there are some lines I've drawn. But here's a little tidbit:

Hats (or fascinators) are required Derby attire

I've lived in Louisville, Kentucky for four years. I had known from the time we got married that I would be following Husband's career wherever in the world it might take him. I don't regret making personal ambition a tertiary priority because our life is pretty amazing. But when we moved to Louisville, I didn't know what to expect, except the loneliness of being away from family.

That being said, we have made an amazing home here. I love our network of friends, the Girl's school, our house and neighborhood, and just about everything about Louisville. Except the traffic and drivers. That still drives me nuts.

One thing you don't understand about Louisville before you move here is the Kentucky Derby. I knew it was a horse race and I knew there was something about three races. I had never watched it. Here in Louisville, I still don't "watch" the Kentucky Derby. I live it.

Bourbon and chocolate make this pie awesome

The Derby isn't one race, one day, or even one week. Louisvillians start the party two weeks before race day with Thunder Over Louisville, an all day waterfront party culminating in the second largest fireworks display in the world: second to Carnivale in Rio. (No joke, our first year here we wanted to find a July Forth fireworks show. We failed, because Louisville spent their fireworks budget on Thunder. Yes, Louisville has a budget for just fireworks.) Then there are Derby Festival events daily until Derby Day. The Friday before Derby Day, known here as "Oaks Day," schools are cancelled. Some say it's because traffic makes it so difficult for buses to reach schools on time, but I think it's because locals (used to) flock to Churchill Downs for the Oaks races before the celebrities get to town. (I say "used to" because Oaks Day has become as big a draw for regular Derby attendees as Derby Day. Locals have started going on the thursday before, known as "Thurby." I can't make this up.) All this is to say that the Derby is a pretty big deal in these parts. I was not prepared.

So this week, I'm featuring TWO recipies. Only one is pie, but both are slightly altered Louisville staples during Derby time. You can't properly enjoy the Kentucky Derby without a mint julep, and no Derby party worth its salt would be held without one. Sadly, Husband has an allergic reaction to mint, so I've altered the recipe a bit and offer a basil julep. (Fair warning: these things are potent!) I also have a pie to commemorate the horse race. The name itself is copyrighted, so in a published post I'll call mine a Call to Post Pie. (Fun fact: call to post is my ringtone. I've become an entrenched Louisvillian, even if my friends think my julep recipe is an abomination!)

Basil Julep
makes 4, or 2 if you're feeling lush

• Handful of fresh basil leaves
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1 cup bourbon
• 3/4 cup water
• Ice

Remove the top cloves of the basil and set aside for garnishing. Muddle the rest of the basil with the sugar in a shaker. Add the water to dissolve the sugar and add the bourbon and a few cubes of ice. Shake well. Strain the drink into a chilled, ice filled glass (the usual is a silver cup, because the drink is not pretty.) Top with your basil leaf garnish and saddle up for a wild ride!

Call to Post Pie
Ingredients
Crust

• 1 1/4 cup All purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 cup coconut oil
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3-5 tablespoons ice water

Filling 

• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (reserve a dozen or so untoasted halves)
• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1/3 cup dark chocolate morsels
• 2/3 cup corn syrup
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 2 1/2 tablespoons bourbon (substitute 2 teaspoons vanilla extract if you prefer a non-alcoholic version)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 1/4 teaspoons flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Make pie crusts, roll out, and pan. Preheat oven to 350° F.  (I used the same process in making the crusts as usual. I'd just say don't worry about keeping the coconut oil cool because its going to melt no matter what. It does add a sweeter flavor and a nice flake to the crust. If you're new to the blog, check out the crust making process here.)

Sprinkle pecans and chocolate evenly in bottom of each piecrust; refrigerate.

 Combine corn syrup, sugars, and butter in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in extract and bourbon.

Whisk together eggs, salt, and flour. Temper hot mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly.

Pour filling into prepared crust, taking care not to overfill. Once filled, top pie with a pecan halves.

Bake at 350° for approximately 45 minutes or until pies are set. Cool completely and you're off to the races!

Bourbon version on the left and a non-bourbon pie on the right

Now on to Bellmont and Preakness! Best of luck, Always Dreamin'!