Kentucky Derby – Event Series: Southern Fare

 

Or should I say Southern Flair?! Southern Hospitality got it’s name not just from how welcoming and kind folks are but how they always have something delish to offer us to eat…pie, cookies, sweet tea, mint juleps, and of course their generous invitation to join them for brunch, lunch or supper. The Kentucky Derby is certainly no exception to the rule~

I toil over my menus anytime I entertain. Most often I am making something for the very first time, not even testing it but relying on the reviews I read online. So far I have not been disappointed.

For this event I ordered an official Kentucky Derby Cookbook. I have perused it over and over and there are so many choices I am finding it difficult to choose so I have a criteria for selecting my menu items.

Goals for the Menu:

• I want to keep it simple because I wish to enjoy my party and not be stuck in the kitchen especially when I hope to entertain on the lower level in our backyard.
• I would like anything that can be made ahead because there will be so much to do that day.
• Southern Fare that is often served at the party is also important.

Courses:

• Hors des ouvres
• Main Event
• Dessert

Layout and Location:

• Stations? If more than one place is needed, for example Hors des ouvres will be offered inside and outside and perhaps on different levels of our home
• Tables…how many? Shape? Table Covering?
• Serving Pieces…pick platters, trays, pedestal stands, beverage holders
• Dishes…paper, plastic or china? where?
• Utensils…plastic? YES. Holders

So I can’t show what I made since we are still in the planning stages but with the help of some others I will tempt you with some great shots of some of the legendary must haves for your own Derby Day.

Signature Sandwich: The Kentucky Hot Brown

This dish was born in the 1920s at the Brown Hotel in Louisville when dancers at the end of the evening were hungry and longed for something other than eggs and ham to eat. Chef Schmidt created this dish made of Turkey and Bacon and a Mornay Sauce on Texas Toast.

Now made in minis, sliders and even a dip, Hot Browns will make their way into every Derby Menu. I am leaning toward the Dip or the Minis and keep it in the Hors Des Ouvres  section of our party menu.

The Main Event has many contenders. Kentucky Burgoo which is a stew, crab, shrimp, Fried Green Tomato BLTs and more. I wanted to choose something that again I could make ahead and in a large quantity so I chose a Beef Brisket.

The recipe that has caught my eye is from the Delish website by Edward Lee and photo by Grant Cornett   Braised Beef Brisket with Bourbon Peach Glaze.

 

Dessert will not be complete without some form of the Kentucky Bourbon Pecan Pie. We noticed that you could purchase pre-baked individual size pies on Amazon.com  Only one review but they said they loved them so much they ordered for their next holiday party. Because this is one party I am going to try to enjoy more than concern myself with cooking, I am going to order these. 

Of course our menu will have more than just three items on it, but these three foods are definitely going to be included.

I can’t wait to share our party with you!

Any suggestions on what to add to our menu?

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