Kentucky Derby Party Food Recipes
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As Kentucky girls, Jo and I love to throw a Kentucky Derby party every year so our friends can watch the race with us. There are three key things you need to have for your Derby party: a TV to watch the race, a Derby betting system like Jo's, and food!
Our favorite traditional Kentucky dishes to serve at a Derby party are Hot Browns, our version of a Derby Pie, and Mint Juleps. Here are our recipes so you can serve your guests in style.
Mini Hot Brown Appetizers
A Kentucky tradition first created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Hot Browns can be made with turkey, ham, or a combination.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (not margarine)
- 1/3 cup flour
- 3-1/2 cups milk (2% or whole)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- pre-cooked turkey or ham, sliced or torn into chunks
- toasted bread
- cherry tomatoes, sliced
- strips of bacon, slightly under-cooked
- shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add flour and stir until well incorporated. Cook about 1 minute.
- Add milk and whisk quickly to avoid lumps.
- Add Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on medium heat until it begins to boil, stirring constantly. Sauce will be thick like a batter.
- Place slices of toasted bread on an oven-safe plate.
- Top with turkey and/or ham.
- Drizzle with sauce.
- Top with a big pinch of shredded cheddar, a piece of bacon, and a slice or two of tomato.
- Place plate under broiler for 2-4 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
Notes
To use this recipe for dinner-sized portions, use standard size slices of sandwich bread. Add a second slice on top of the meat, and smother it with 1-2 cups of sauce before adding toppings and broiling.
Jo's Kentucky Chocolate Nut Pie
For a truce slice of Kentucky's sweet history, you can't go wrong with the official Derby Pie (TM). If you can't get your hands on one in time, though, Jo's recipe for chocolate nut pie is a great substitute.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cups pecans, chopped
- 3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup margarine, melted
- one pie crust (frozen, refrigerated, or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a bowl, mix all ingredients except pie crust.
- Put pie crust into a 9" pie pan.
- Pour mixture into unbaked crust and bake for 30 minutes.
- Serve warm or cold.
Notes
This pie tastes great topped with ice cream or whipped cream.
Mint Julep
The traditional Kentucky Derby drink, the Mint Julep is best served in a classic Julep cup. It's a very refreshing drink for a hot day on the track!
Ingredients
- simple syrup
- fresh mint
- crushed ice
- bourbon whiskey
Instructions
- Drizzle 1-2 tbsp of simple syrup into a chilled Julep cup.
- Drop in 3-5 leaves of fresh mint.
- Use a spoon or muddler to bruise the mint and release the essential oils.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice and top off with bourbon whiskey to taste.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
Notes
To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a pan. Heat to boiling and stir to dissolve thoroughly. Allow to boil one minute, then remove from heat. Can be made days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
4 comments so far:
Now I *have* to go melt cheese on something...YUM! I'll be linking.
Thought you might enjoy seeing my Kentucky Derby Table Setting and Dinner Menu
http://www.thejuicydish.com/Leonard/Posts/5680
Being a Kentucky girl myself (currently trapped in California), I make bourbon balls every Christmas, also. Do you ladies have a good recipe for Benedictine?...maybe even the original? I'm surprised you didn't add these to your Derby menu. Love your blog!!
Cathy, we love Benedictine too, but don't have a recipe to share. If you find one you like, we'd love to see it!