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There are  many versions of this famous pie, created of course in Kentucky years ago by a man who I assume loved the famous horse race. Because of him, we can eat it today.
 
The original versions include walnuts or pecans, however, I prefer not to add either because most of my grandkids do not like them. Today, instead of Kentucky Bourbon I used Vanilla and Amaretto Disaronno. My version is very simple and the recipe is enough to fill 2- 9” pie crusts.
 
You can eat this pie with fresh fruits, or with whipped cream on top, or a big scoop of your favorite ice cream. So, get your ingredients ready and make this pie tomorrow.
 
Category:  Dessert
Approximate Prep and Cooking: 35 to 40 Minutes
Approximate Cost: $8.17 (or $1.02 per serving).
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  USE GLUTEN FREE FLOUR FOR A GLUTEN FREE PIE 
Servings: 8
 
Ingredients
2 whisked eggs at room temperature (.50)
1 stick of melted butter (Land o’ Lake at Walmart $1.31)
1 cup of sugar (.30)
½ cup of self-rising flour (.65)
1 cup of chocolate chips ($2.71/bag) (1 cup = $1.36)
1 tbsp. of vanilla ($1.45)
1 tbsp. Amaretto Disaronno (.50)
2 9-inch pie crust partially baked (I used the frozen type or you can make your own) ($2.10)
 
Directions
Pre-heat the oven at 350 degrees.
Bake the pie crust briefly, about 5-8 minutes, remove from oven let is cool.
In a medium size bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and add the melted butter that is at room temperature and beat.
Add the sugar to the bowl and beat until you see the batter is real smooth.
Add the vanilla and Amaretto Disaronno.
Add the flour until it is all incorporated.
Bring the pie crust back and add the chocolate chips, that is your chocolate bottom layer. (Or you can add it to the dough before pouring it into the pie crust.)
Pour your batter into the pie crust.
Bake for approx. 35 minutes, (depending on your oven) the top should be golden yummy and when a toothpick is inserted into the center, it come out clean.
You can eat this pie cool or warm, either way it will blow your mind!

We live in such a rush, hectic, busy, complicated times, where if you are not on your phone or computer chances are that you are in the middle of a lot of  traffic.

Well, I was so relax during this trip that took us through nature; mountains, lots of rivers and creeks and rarely any cars on the road. What a refreshing time to be on the road, no tail gating, no cutting in front of you or showing you the finger, smile. Well, you get the message. TRANQUILITY AT ITS BEST!

I traveled to Kentucky for the first time, for my firstborn granddaughter University of Kentucky graduation. (Her next step, law school, she was accepted already on a full scholarship to a Law School) 

Back to my Kentucky trip. I knew that Kentucky is famous for their horses (and I love them) and of course, for the famous and traditional Kentucky Derby Horse race. Incidentally, we just happened to be in town during the race but in Lexington, however, the race was taking place in Louisville, which is approximately 30 or so minutes apart. My granddaughter graduation was far more important to me than the race, so, we didn’t go, but watched the Derby on TV from an amazing roof top restaurant, thanks to my daughter and son in law generosity, (smile) to celebrate their first born child graduation, smile.   
  
Finally, don't forget to visit and  enjoy this charming town with its excellent history, restaurants and cafe's.

Either way, I enjoyed Lexington, Kentucky to the max and I documented my trip with photos, some with captions. I hope that you will enjoy these photos as I did.
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TOMORROW: PART 2: THE HEAVENLY AND PEACEFULL ROAD TRIP TO GET THERE!
THEN PART 3: TIME TO ENJOY THE FAMOUS KENTUCKY DERBY PIE RECIPE! SMILE.

​I was doing my morning walks in my neighborhood and suddenly, I came across this interesting thing that I have never seen before. A tent setup over a car rooftop. Genius!
 
I was able to talk with the owner, who so nicely agreed when I asked if I could take few photos for my blog.
 
With a rooftop tent you can turn any car in a camper and go anywhere you want by having your place to sleep over the top of your car.
 
I did some research. You can purchase one at any of the camping stores if they have them available. Secondly, they are priced a couple of thousand dollars or lower and are available in low weight that can fit any small cars like this one in the photo, or even on the top rack of a Volkswagen.
 
Finally, they are designed to fit on the boot of your car and all station wagons. AWESOME! 

Of course, we had to eat right? My adorable three children took over the kitchen and cooked a storm daily. It wasn’t easy to cook for tons of people; I basically didn’t do much cooking. However, my kids came on top with these super yummy dishes:

Suzy: made oven roasted salmon with a Spinach-Sun-Dried-Boursin cheese-orzo pasta, salad and veggies.

Joaquin III: made rib eye stakes with loaded oven roasted potatoes, salad and veggies.

Neshy: made shrimp fajitas/tacos with black beans rice salad and veggies.

As you can see by these photos, we all enjoyed their chef style cooked meals a lot.
 
Now, until next time my loves, mama ain’t cooking no more!

The Road!
The travel to and from the rental house was so enjoyable that I decided to draft a post about it. I can’t get enough of seeing mountains, lakes and of course, beaches. However, unfortunately no beaches included on this trip, bummer!
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Since I am an island girl, just seeing mountains and photographing them makes me really happy. Therefore, here are my memories of our Road Trip to Tennessee, enjoy!

​I went to Walmart the other day and while walking towards the store after I parked, I came across this spectacular and dramatic vehicle. I call it The Banana Convertible car. What do you think? Isn’t it Creativity at its best. Smile!

So our family chose this state for our 2023 Christmas Family Reunion and it was great. The house we stayed was amazing on top of a hill, looking at a lake and with a private boat dock and tons of kayaks to enjoy. What’s more to ask.
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Tomorrow, Part 2 of this post, The Road!

BEST FALL TRIP TO ENJOY THE CHANGING COLORS OF THE FALL SEASON!
As an island girl, I cannot live without seeing mountains and bodies of water. This sweet trip delivered. There are mountains all over, where you can drive by or hike if you prefer. It is such a cute downtown, with lots of wineries, national parks, caverns, well, too much good stuff to tell you. You better plan to visit.

We were lucky to stay at a place with so much privacy, amazing hosts and surrounded by nature.  Even a cat came out of nowhere to meet us. By the Side of the Road, is an adorable place to stay hosted by Jess and Anna. They can help you if you want to stay few days to enjoy Harrisonburg.
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Furthermore, we enjoyed tremendously the trip to get there, from the Washington Metro Area, (a super hectic area with tons of traffic all over), to the peaceful Harrisonburg, VA; a town where you feel transported to back in time. There was almost no traffic, no aggressive drivers, lots of courteous people, tons of things to do and places to go and specially, a great feeling of safety.
The road trip to get there was amazing and you can tell by the photos that I took along from the road. Enjoy the ride and go visit before all the leaves with beautiful colors come down, smile.

It is no wonder why Siesta have been ranked THE #1 BEACH IN THE USA several times. There are so many things to do in the area, the shops, the village, restaurants and the such. Plus, it is also located in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
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However, nature doesn’t stop right there, because if you stay a bit longer at this spectacular beach to wait for the stunning sunsets, you will never be disappointed. Trust me, they are awesome.