Brown Derby Pieshake

Tonight is the 84th Academy Awards, a celluloidal ceremony celebrating the glamor of Hollywood, the size of Harvey Weinstein's checkbook, and the lasting impact of George Clooney's sexy salt-and-pepper hair.

There's drama - will The Help sweep it all away? There's intrigue - will Woody Allen actually show up? There's worry - will James Franco and Ricky Gervais attempt to oust Billy Crystal in the world's most glassy-eyed Host-Off?

For me, the yearly Oscars allow me an evening to sit on the couch, eat unhealthy food and snarkily comment on the clothing, acceptance speeches and overall production (am I the only person who actually liked when Pilobolus shadow-spelled out the nominees? Can we get them back? Or at least to my next birthday party?)

It is therefore with great pride that I'd like to thank the Academy, my parents, God, Oprah, and you, my lovely readers, for reading and tasting with me week after week. You have given this humble pie blogger a voice. A reason to bake. An excuse to eat too much pie. As I stand on this stage, looking out at all of you (oh hey Meryl! Lunch on Tuesday? Lemme check my sched.) I think of that day so long ago four months ago when I was plucked from obscurity and thrust into this crazy, exciting, and altogether delicious world of pie, and I can't believe what an amazing journey it's been. Who knows what the future will hold (although I'd really like to do an indie project that matters) and I can't wait to share my journey with you (of which you'll be able to watch every waking moment on my new Bravo-produced reality show). What's that? Oh! They're telling me I have to wrap up! But there's so many people I forgot to thank! NOW THEY'RE TURNING UP THE MUSIC?? THEN THANK YOU ALL AND HERE'S MY RECI-


Brown Derby Pieshake
*Brown Derby = a chain of restaurants in Los Angeles that became synonymous with the Golden Age of Hollywood
*Derby Pie = a popular pie in Kentucky, named for and made to celebrate the Kentucky Derby
*Milkshake = a sweet drink made with ice cream and other flavorings; a fun treat to make for your Oscars celebration
***Brown Derby Pieshake = my recipe of the week, created in the guise of Jeopardy's Before And After category. Yes, it's a stretch. Just go with it.

Ingredients - yield: 2 pint-sized shakes
4-5 healthy scoops butter pecan ice cream
1/3 cup skim milk
1/2 cup Kentucky bourbon (I used Jim Beam)
2 oz. chocolate chips
2 oz. chopped walnuts
Hershey's chocolate syrup
2 handfuls graham cracker crumbs

How To
Scoop the ice cream into a blender. Add milk, bourbon and chocolate chips. Blend on LOW until everything is mixed and/or you achieve your desired milkshake consistency.

Decoratively squeeze the chocolate syrup onto the inside of the glass; I found that spinning the glass (not the syrup bottle) helps to get a fancy swirl pattern. Sprinkle a handful of graham cracker crumbs into the glass and, while standing over the sink or garbage can, roll the glass so that the crumbs stick onto and cover the chocolate sauce. Let any remaining crumbs settle to the bottom of the glass.

Pour the ice cream mixture into the glass. Top with chopped walnuts. Add a bendy-straw. Comment on the Red Carpet Show in a terrible southern accent. Blame your accent on the bourbon.