Off to the Races! Food for a Kentucky Derby Party

It soon will be time again for one of the most famous of all horse races- the Kentucky Derby. There is so much history and tradition surrounding the race- from the speed and grace of Secretariat to the most recent winning of Big Brown in 2008. For those of us who are not lucky enough to live in Kentucky, or have enough money to visit Churchill Downs, we have to make due with gathering around a television with our friends to watch the day at the races. However, with a few simple recipies, you can transform your living room to make it feel like you are watching the race from the grandstands, without having to leave the state. After reviewing several different websites, I have come across five of the most popular dishes, refreshments, and desserts that you can serve at your Kentucky Derby party that will guarantee to make it a hit.

One of the most important items in a party are the appetizers, so that way your guests have something to snack on and mingle while they wait for the race to begin and the main course to be served. Benedictine sandwhiches, which according to southernfood.about.com were named after the Benedictine restaurant in Louisville in the early 20th century, are a guaranteed must to start off your party. This dish, consisting of cucumber, cream cheese, onion, and mayonnaise, makes a great dip or can be the main ingredient in a sandwhich. The recipe is very quick and easy to make, and can be found in mainly locations. However, I prefer the recipe on southernfood.about.com, as it also gives you steps to make the recipe as a dip as well as for sandwhiches.

As your guests are munching, mingling, and arriving, they probably will begin to get a little thirsty. What better way to celebrate the grand tradition of horse racing in the South, then by serving a drink that has become synonymus with horse racing- mint juleps. Not a big drinker myself, after reviewing a few websites, I have found that making mint juleps really are not that hard to do at all. Your main items you will need to stock up on are sprigs of mint and whiskey. The easiest recipe I have found that takes very little work and hardly any prep time is on allrecipes.com. Now, if your party is going to have a lot of under aged people in attendance, or those who choose not to drink at all, or recovering alcoholics, you may wish to go with a non-alcoholic version of mint juleps so they are not missing out on all the fun. The easiest recipe I have found (and the tastiest) can be found on ehow.com. The only other items you would need with this recipe, that sets it apart from it's alcoholic version, are some tea or cola and some oranges or lemons for garnish.

Now that everyone has arrived and the drinks are flowing, it is time to move on to the main course. One of the most popular main course dishes for a Kentucky Derby party that I have found is a Kentucky Burgoo. Now, if you are like myself, you probably have never even heard of a burgoo. A burgoo is a name for a thick, hearty stew. One of the tastiest recipes for Kentucky Burgoo that I have found is on suite101.com. It does require a little work and a lot of meat, but it is well worth the time and the effort. Now, if you are looking for something a little simpler to make, you may want to check out a recipe for a Hot Brown, a turkey sandwhich recipe. This recipe can be served along with a salad or some other light vegetables. It is another delicious meal, and a good addition to your Kentucky Derby party menu if you don't have the time to put in.

After everyone has settled in with their main dish it is time to watch the race. After all the yelling, screaming, and crying has subsided when the race is over, it is time to serve a yummy dessert to top off your party. Having lived in the South for seven years now, I have learned that pecan pie is a Southern staple in the realm of desserts. One of the tastiest version I have found is on southernfood.about.com. This website provides a recipe for a bourbon pecan pie recipe, to give a true taste of Kentucky. If bourbon isn't your thing, you may want to check out this recipe for Southern Chocolate Pecan Pie on kentuckyderbyparty.com.

The desserts have been served, the guests have now left, and it is finally time for you, the host, to sit back and relax. You have gone ahead and pulled off a winning Kentucky Derby Party, and have served some of the tastiest food that your guests have enjoyed. Now lay down, relax, and take a nap. The clean up can wait until tomorrow.