This week’s #SundaySupper theme is “Favorite Chef Inspired Dishes” and is hosted by Tammi Demers Forcier at Momma’s Meals.
For the record, I am talking about dessert here. Christina Tosi is the inventor of this buttery, crunchety, rich pie and she is also part of the Momofuku family with David Chang as the godfather. You may have seen Chang hanging out with Anthony Bourdain on the show No Reservations where they indulge on fresh octopus at a Korean restaurant in Queens, NY. Or you may have seen him as a guest judge on Top Chef All Stars. He’s unapologetic and says it like it is. His food is bold, but holds some nuance. I have his cookbook, Momofuku and the recipes that I’ve made have all turned out pretty damn good. It is the first cookbook I’ve read cover to cover. He founded a quarterly a couple of years ago, Lucky Peach, and it’s full of entertaining stories, great writing, illustrations, and photos. I truly admire his boldness and his continuous drive to challenge himself while being grounded. I’ve never met the guy in person, but I betcha bottom dollar that it would be fun to have a drink or two with him.
Tosi is a celebrity in her own right. She’s a James Beard award winner and is at the helm of the Milk Bar empire in New York. I have yet to visit one of these bakeries, but will have to live vicariously through others until I do. Then again, at $44 a pie, I think I can tolerate the homemade version for a little while longer.
I’m not sure what exactly motivated me to make this pie, but I saw the name “crack pie” being thrown around the blogosphere a couple of years ago. Crack pie? Really? Someone came up with the name crack pie? I think the name alone got me intrigued as I searched the interwebs for a recipe.
I don’t have much of a sweet tooth and do not have the patience of a baker, but I have to say that it’s a dangerous situation when I make this dessert. It’s one of those pies where I just have to sneak a bite or two each time I walk by. Don’t ask how large those bites are.
This pie is like pecan pie, but without the pecans which suits me just fine. It’s rich and sweet, but not syrupy candy sweet. The nutty crunchy crust certainly offsets the sweetness and is the perfect complement, both in texture and flavor, to the filling. And the recipe is so easy to follow that it is pretty much fail-safe even for a non-baker like me.
The last time I made this pie was for a lunch I had for friends. I actually had some leftovers, so the following morning I had a slice for breakfast along with a few slices of leftover pork belly prepared Momofuku-style. The combination was simply…magical. And my cup of coffee completed the trifecta.
I have made an attempt to include bacon IN the crust, but the recipe is still in development.
It is, however, difficult to improve on perfection. Here is the recipe to yield two pies and here is Rene Lynch’s accompanying love story.
See which celebrity chef inspires each one of the #SundaySupper crew!
Starters or Snacks :
Martin at ENOFYLZ Wine Blog – Oyster and Brie Soup and Wine Pairings for Celebrity Chef #SundaySupper
Linda at The Urban Mrs. – Inspired by Bobby Flay, Lobster Chowder with Roasted Corn Salsa
Erin from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts – Rachael Ray’s Cinnamon Popcorn
Cindy over at Cindy’s Recipes and Writings – Jamie Oliver’s Bread and Tomato Soup
Jeff at The Catholic Foodie – Drop Biscuits – Breakfast with Chef John Besh
Renee over at Kudos Kitchen By Renee – Giada De Laurentiis’ Garlic Toasts With Red Pepper Aioli
The Main Dish:
Sheila at Cooking Underwriter – Paula Deen’s Chicken in a Crock Pot w/ Sauerkraut and Apples
Laura over at Small Wallet Big Appetite – Martin Yan’s Beef Chow Fun
Sarah over at Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends – Michael Symon’s Lola burger with crab tater tots
Susan at The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen – Ina Garten’s Baked Shrimp Scampi
Tammi at Momma’s Meals – Lee Drummond’s Sloppy Joe’s
Lane over at Supper for a Steal – Bobby Flay’s Rosemary Bricked Chicken
Tara from Noshing with the Nolands – Michael Symon’s Pork and Apple Scallopini
Shannon at Country Girl in the Village – Simple Red Sauce over Rigatoni. Inspired by, Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos
Kris over at In the Kitchen with Audrey and Maurene – Rachael Ray’s Muffin Tin Meatloaf
Nicole from The Daily Dish Recipes – Paula Deen’s Slow Cooker Pulled Pickled Pork Sandwiches
Becca from It’s Yummilicious – Ina Garten’s Grown Up Bacon Mac & Cheese
Alice at Hip Foodie Mom – Sunday Pot Roast with Risotto Cakes from Kelsey Nixon
Jen over at Juanita’s Cocina – The Neely’s White Turkey Chili
Brianne from Cupcakes & Kale Chips – Crockpot Beef Pot Roast with Mushrooms inspired by Giada DeLaurentiis
Isabel at Family Foodie – Polenta with Garlicky Shrimp inspired by Chef Todd English
Wendy from The Weekend Gourmet – Shrimp Penne in Pesto Cream Sauce, From Emeril Lagasse
Bobbi over at Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen – Cheesy Poblano Chicken
Patti at Comfy Cuisine – Tyler Florence’s Chicken Francese
Roxanne over at The Roxx Box – Jambalaya Pasta with Penne, Chicken, Shrimp and Andouille
Sue from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz – Rachael Ray’s Spicy Corn Chowdah Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Jamie at Mama Mommy Mom – Penne with Asparagus, Smoked Gouda and Prosciutto. Adapted from, Giada De Laurentiis’
Tora over at Tora’s Real Food – Pork and beans with Alton Brown’s pickled pork
Elisabeth over at The Hand That Rocks The Ladle – Emeril’s New Orleans Style Red Beans & Rice
Amazing Sides:
Megan from I Run For Wine – Curtis Stone’s Acorn Squash Roasted with Thyme
Sandi over at Midlife Road Trip – Gabriele Corcos’s Gnocchi di Patate
Shelby at Diabetic Foodie – Orange Pecan Black Rice, adapted from Ina Garten
Katie from She likes Ruffles, He likes Truffles – Chef Fabio Viviani’s Spinach and Artichoke Risotto
Sweet Endings:
Renee over at Magnolia Days – Brownie Tart
Conni at The Foodie Army Wife – Inspired by Ree Drummond – Scrumptious Apple Coffee Cake
Paula over at Vintage Kitchen Notes – Bill Granger´s Cherry Tart
Pam from The Meltaways – Savannah Sheet Cake
Katy over at Happy Baking Days – Mary Berry’s Treacle Tart
Jaime over at Mom’s Test Kitchen – Southern Tea Cakes
Amy over at Kimchi MOM – Crack Pie, I Can’t Quit You
Lyn from The Lovely Pantry – Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Squares
Melanie at From Fast Food to Fresh Food – Sand Tarts
Martin at ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
$44 a pie? Oh my. Yep, I would go for the homemade one too. Sounds absolutely delicious and looks like I’ll have to make it so I can taste it for myself.
Um I want this right now! It looks so gooey and delicious.
I am not much for baking and don’t have much of a sweet tooth either but this I must try!
Glad you clified that crack thing, Amy! lol This looks delicious!
You know, just for the record! 😀
I´ve yet to make this pie, but the name is addictive! It looks so simple and that makes it even more intriguing. Happy Sunday!
I have heard of this pie before, and how good it is. Yours looks incredible!
I was wondering what goes in a crack pie! lol this sounds really good! Now if I could just remember who recently asked me for a pecan pie recipe w/o the pecans, I’d be set.
Thanks – now I know what crack pie is!
I learned about Richard Chang from Lucky Peach a couple of years ago. I am crazy about anything related to McSweeney’s, and when I found out they were making a food magazine I signed up right away. Crack pie sounds too dangerous for me to try though! 🙂
I love McSweeney’s too! Lucky Peach and McSweeney’s are a perfect together. I just got the latest issue!
Oh my that looks decadent and wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing!!
What a delightful way to start a morning off…. A slice of this decadence, a cuppa java, and ooooo aahhhh 🙂
yes, only good every once in a while!
I am dying to make macarons, but I always hate using egg white and not having a use for the yolks. I think I found it, but I may try something gluten-free for the crust. So not the exact same, but that gooey filling is calling my name!
do it! do it! 🙂 let me know how the gluten-free crust works out!
I have been DYING to try crack pie out for myself! I was in New York earlier this fall and I didn’t manage to snag myself a bite…maybe I should try it at home…thank you for sharing this!!!
i am a train ride away from midtown and i still haven’t been to milk bar! i’m going to do it this weekend!!
OMG, OMG! I HAVE to make this!
OMG…yes you do!
I’ve made this pie before! And yours came out gorgeous!
thanks!
Oh my gawd!!! Amy, I LOVE you for posting this!!! I love all of her stuff! Word up. This is the first place I’m going when I visit NYC next. Until then, I will have to bake this at home.
my next recipe is her corn cookie. i hear it’s heavenly. i have 2 baking books…i’ve added the Milk Bar cookbook to my wish list.
do you mean her candy corn cookie? if so, I’ve made them! Wonderful!!!!!
It’s the one that’s made with freeze-dried corn powder. I hear it’s amazingly good.
I love Momofuku and Christina Tosi. You don’t have to go to NY to try it- they ship. I have ordered the pie twice and it is worth every penny. Everything I have ordered or made from Momofuku is simply out of this world. No other baked goods compare.
my problem is that i just live a short train ride away from NYC. i have absolutely no excuse for not visiting Milk Bar. I’m going to try to make a visit this weekend. 🙂
Oh wow that looks amazing. Pecan pie is my husband’s favourite but pecans are really expensive in this country so I am going to try this pie and see if it can offer a cheaper substitute for him. 🙂
that is a great idea! let me know if he likes it!
I was so sad when I didn’t get a chance to go to momofuku when I was NYC this past August. Now that I have the recipe, I have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing!
I have been hearing and reading about this pie for so long, I almost HAVE to make it. The hubster said we need to shell out $44 to get an original shipped to us so we know what the real deal tastes like. I told him at $44 for the real deal, the one we make will be close enough 🙂
The homemade version is pretty damn good. I have to venture into the city to get a taste of the real deal. They do sell it by the slice for, like, $4-$5 a pop.