"Derby Pie" news and stories

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

• What's your queue-for-food time limit?
• Pony up for this Derby Pie.
• This Cinco de Mayo, get it on with Amor Y Tacos.
• Jockey for mint juleps.
• Do you wok 'n' roll?
• Skip the race for a kuku kadoo magic carpet ride recipe.
• Serve these pineapple salad recipes in a Derby hat.

If you live in a thoroughbred-loving household, May isn't the month of Maypoles and Cinco de Mayo. It's the month of the Triple Crown, kicking off the first Saturday in May with the Kentucky Derby -- an event known as much for its iconic food as for its thundering thoroughbreds.

When it comes to the eats, the Derby means all things bourbon, from iconic mint juleps to a tasty Derby Pie. The latter might be a trademarked name and secret recipe, but that doesn't mean Kentucky cooks can't come up with their own twists. The above video outlines how you can make Betty's Kentucky Derby Race Day Pie, whether you're itching to bake while wearing your favorite hat (because Derby Day requires a fancy chapeau), throwing a race-day party or just really love bourbon. Betty suggests serving the pie with a hot hazlenut coffee, but you could always whip up a mint julep, grab a non-alcoholic twist, or tuck into bourbon straight-up (unless your guests drank it all!) While we're at it: Who are you rooting for? The gorgeous grey Dunkirk? The 3-1 favorite I Want Revenge?

Here's a trivia question: In which state is the Kentucky Derby held?

Unfortunately, if you said California, you're wrong. It's Kentucky!

The Kentucky Derby takes place tomorrow, May 6 at Churchill Downs, and with the run for the roses, many other long-standing traditions will be observed. Lovely ladies will be sipping on mint juleps and if you're lucky, you'll get to eat a slice of Derby Pie. But be warned, just because the pie is made with chocolate and pecans and served on Derby Day doesn't mean you can call it a Derby Pie.

Derby Pie is a registered trademark of Kern's Kitchen. The pie was created as a specialty pastry in 1968 at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky. Today, Kern's Kitchen is the only company that can bake and sell the pie as "Derby Pie."

On May 6, the Kentucky Derby will be pouring $1,000 mint juleps for the first 50 people to lay down the cash. The money will go toward a charity for retired racehorses.

Mint juleps have been synonymous with the Kentucky Derby for decades. Race-goers traditionally sip the drink from silver or pewter cups. The $1000 mint julep will be served in a gold-plated cup with a silver straw. The mint is from Morocco, ice from the Arctic circle, and bourbon from one of the state's finest producers, Woodford Reserve.

Now all they need to do is serve a $10,000 slice of Derby Pie.

[Photo Woodford Reserve]