Saturday, May 1, 2010

Derby Day


I'm not really one for sporting events, but every year the Kentucky Derby draws me in. I think it has more to do with food and fashion than jockeys and ponies. It's the perfect occasion to make what I've always referred to as a Derby pie (here's the recipe), simultaneously crunchy and gooey and packed with chocolate and pecans. I also made a pitcher of blackberry iced tea, which proved to be fruity, sweet and refreshing.


Blackberry Iced Tea

Recipe courtesy of Southern Living

3 cups fresh or frozen blackberries, thawed
1 1/4 cups sugar (I'd cut the sugar down to 3/4 cup, but that's just me.)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
Pinch of baking soda
4 cups boiling water
2 family-size tea bags, black tea
2 1/2 cups cold water
Garnishes: fresh blackberries, fresh mint sprigs

Combine blackberries and sugar in large container. Crush blackberries with wooden spoon. Add mint and baking soda. Set aside. Pour 4 cups boiling water over tea bags; cover and let stand 3 minutes. Discard tea bags. Pour tea over blackberry mixture; let stand at room temperature 1 hour. Pour tea through a wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, discarding solids. Add 2 1/2 cups cold water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Garnish, if desired.

8 comments:

  1. I just got home from my first ever Derby Day party! It was fun, but definitely more about girls in dresses and hats and boys in vinyard vines and seersucker than the horses. And the food...so much food and so good! My favorites were the derby pie and julips, of course, but also the cheese straws and mint sweet tea.

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  2. Derby pie, that sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed the derby!

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  3. Blackberry iced tea sounds delicious! I'm going to have to try your recipe!!

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  4. i love the derby... it makes me think of mint juleps and big hats.

    that blackberry iced tea looks divine, so refreshing!

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  5. mm that derby pie looks positively delish. gonna have to try that blackberry iced tea recipe too!

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  6. i love derby pie! i wish i had that drink in my hand right...now.

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  7. Blackberry iced tea sounds delicious! I love berries in any recipe!

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  8. OOOOOHHH that sounds good!! It is now on my summer list....if we ever get any warm weather!

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