À la Sandy

A couple months ago, I was talking with my friend, Monty and the topic turned to food and pies.  He told me about a company here in L.A. called “Porch Pies.” I’d never heard of them before – they bake and deliver “Chess Pies.” I had no idea what a “Chess Pie” was, so he schooled me.  “Chess Pies” are uniquely southern.  The fillings are a combination of sugar, eggs, vanilla, and butter — usually a whole STICK!  “Porch Pies” are $30-$35 each; they make “Buttermilk Chess,” “Coconut Chess,” “Lemon Chess,” “Chocolate Chess,” “Southern Pecan Chess” and “Sweet Potato Chess”.  I asked him “why are they called “Chess Pies”?  He explained that the word “chess” evolved over years, possibly from the word “jes’, as in “just pie.”  The Porch Pies site says: “When asked what she was baking that smelled so good, the southern cook replied, “Jes’ pie.”

Monty has taken to calling them “come f*** me pies.”  They’re that good!

So after an afternoon of “pie” talk, I came home with an uncontrollable craving for pie. It was late in the afternoon and I didn’t think I could get a pie delivered on such short notice, plus, I LOVE baking pies!  I always feel cheery when there’s a pie baking in the oven.

It was hot that day, about 90 degrees here in L.A. — not exactly pie-baking weather, but I opened my computer and started searching for “Chess Pie” recipes and began learning all about them.  I decided to make the “Buttermilk Chess.” It was easy, creamy and dee-lish!  I prefer to make a homemade pie-crust, but you can use a ready-made crust from the store.  I’m not a very accomplished pie fluter. For some reason, I’m just a clod when it comes to pinching a pie crust.  I don’t think it matters with Chess Pies though, as an uneven crust adds to the rustic charm of the pie, BUT a Chess Pie from Porch Pies looks like a work of art – they are perfection!

I’ve made several Chess Pies since then – my favorite is the “Coconut Chess” – now THAT is a bona-fide “come f*** me pie”!

If  you want to surprise someone with a unique and special gift, consider “Porch Pies”:

http://www.porchpies.com/

…or try making one yourself – They’re delicious – like a cross between a custard pie and a cheesecake – and did I mention there’s  a STICK of melted buttah inside???

Porch Pies

323.632.4816

http://www.porchpies.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_pie

TOASTED COCONUT CHESS PIE

2 cups flaked coconut
1 stick butter
3 beaten eggs – room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 Cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Toast 1 cup of the coconut until golden brown and set aside

In medium saucepan, over low heat, melt the butter.  Add the sugar and stir until it’s mixed, then add the eggs, remaining 1 cup coconut, vinegar, buttermilk and vanilla.  Pour into an unbaked pie shell and bake it for about 1 hour.  Let the pie cool and spread the toasted coconut over the top

BUTTERMILK CHESS PIE

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

3 eggs
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch salt
1 9-inch pie shell

In mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks and sugar, slowly add the melted butter and continue mixing.  Add the buttermilk, vinegar and nutmeg and salt and mix for 30 seconds. Pour mixture into  an unbaked pie shell and bake for about an hour,  until golden brown.