Sugarpie
Oh, my, where is my mind? I forgot to write about the cookout we had two weekends ago. The menu: burgers, chicken breasts marinated in Dale's, Hebrew National hot dogs, zucchini marinated in Italian dressing and corn, all cooked on the grill. I also made rainbow coleslaw (red and green cabbage, apples, carrots and green peppers) and a black bean salad. A neighbor brought the requisite cookout potato salad. And, for dessert, a blueberry crisp and Gentleman Caller's mama's show-stopping chess pie. Chess pie is simply a filling of eggs, sugar and butter with small amounts of vinegar and cornmeal or flour. When baked, the filling becomes dense and translucent with a thin, crusty caramelized top. Partygoers described it as a poor man's crème brûlée, a sugar pie and a pecan pie without the pecans, all accurate descriptions. Here's the description from my favorite food reference book: This pie has always been a favorite with Southerners, but no one seems to know exactly where it got its name. It's believed that at first it was called jelly pie or Jefferson Davis pie, and later became known as chess pie because of the pie chest in which it was typically stored. In any event, we probably have chess pie to thank for the eventual creation of the even more popular pecan pie. I found several more recipes for chess pie in the bounty of church cookbooks I just donated to the public library. All had the same ingredients, with slight variations in proportions.
I don't know how protective GC's mom is of her recipe, but I think we should be honest with each other, dear Internet. There should be no secrets between us, so in the interest of full disclosure, here's the recipe:
Chess Pie3 whole eggs, slightly beaten
1 ¾ c. sugar
1 T. cornmeal
1 T. flour
1 T. vinegar
4 T. melted butter
3 T. milk
1 t. vanilla
1 deep-dish pie shellBeat eggs slightly in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients; stir well.
Pour into an unbaked pie shell. Bake at 450 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and cook until firm, another 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven.
Comments
Speaking as a Southerner, you just made my mouth water! It is hard to beat chess pie in simplicity or good taste. I'll try your MIL's recipe soon, and will send you my French Coconut Pie recipe as a thank you gift. It's kind of like chess pie with coconut. So easy and good!
Posted by: Purple Fried Okra | August 1, 2006 07:33 AM
When I saw Dale's I knew it had to be a good post, even though all Dale's seems to be is salt water. Somehow, it just works.
And imagine my confusion and I sought for CHEESE in your pie. Only upon reading a second time did I realize it was chess, and I shouldn't worry about a lack of dairy.
I've injured my back once again, and therefore blame the vicodin.
Posted by: Red Momo | August 1, 2006 08:12 AM