The Kentucky Derby 2020

Photo: AP

The one and only time I attended the Kentucky Derby was when I was 16 years old. My high school friend, also a Debbie, had an adventurous mom who was brave enough to take 4 teenagers to Churchhill Downs with 1000s of other people. We had fun, and our chaperon did too. Hours before the race we watched a young man climb up a tall metal light pole and take off all his clothes, tossing them to the ground and then watched the police wait for him to climb down to take him away. Poor naked lad, he missed the race! All in all a mellow crowd, the excitement saved for the race itself. Near the start of the race, my namesake and I separated from our group of 5 to find a spot pressed against the fence in the infield to watch the horses run by, and we succeeded, as the spot we randomly selected turned out to be the starting gate that becomes the finish line! The rest of our party decided to watch the race on big television screens set up under a roof area. This was a time before cell phones, yet we knew exactly where to find each other after the race ... the cashiers' widows to cash in our winning tickets!💰💸🤑

Every year I long to go back to the Kentucky Derby but must watch it on television. This year I'm not alone. Nobody gets to go to the Derby, and we will all have to watch the 2-minute race at home.

So to celebrate the 146th running of the historic race, I'm going to hook you up with 2 traditional Derby cheese dips to eat in the comfort of your living room: 1st up is Benedictine Cheese dip. You can leave it as cheese dip. It is also popular to make Benedictine Tea sandwiches:

Benedictine Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

Bluegrass Bites here

1-8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 peeled, seeded, drained, and finely chopped cucumber
1/2 cup minced onion (or green onions)
1/4 cup finely chopped dill
1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise (regular is fine, but do not substitute flavorless non-fat mayonnaise ... never buy it!)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
A shake (or to taste) of hot sauce (I use Louisana hot sauce, but Tobasco is used too, or to tone down the heat, you can use black pepper to taste ... but why would you?)
Optional: a couple drops of green food coloring

Fresh slices of bread if you make sandwiches, or vegetable sticks and crackers for a dip.

Directions:

Teatime magazine here.

Chop everything as finely as possible and using a potato masher, mix it up in a bowl. (Yes, you can use a food processor if you wish.) 

This simple cheese dip makes delicious sandwiches, but I do not know why as you would not think so!

For the 2nd authentic Derby cheese dip: Kentucky Beer Cheese, I must turn you over to Chef John. His video is so much fun to watch, it is not to be missed. Sooo tasty too!

Below are links to some of the other traditional Kentucky Derby eats I prepare (at times someone brings) whenever I invite friends over to watch the race ... normally held on the 1st Saturday in May. This year our COVID pandemic postponed the Derby, which will run on Saturday, September 5th without any spectators at Churchhill Downs. The loading of the horses into the starting gates happens at 6PM. The race begins around 6:30PM. Check local listings for all the Derby coverage if you wish to see features about the horses, jockeys and owners.🌹

So this year like no other, we are all equal and in it together watching from the comfort of a couch!🙂


You may also enjoy:
Since 1875: The Kentucky Derby (see for history and main course recipes)
Louisville After The Kentucky Derby
The Pegasus Parade Before The Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Favorites: Hot Brown And Chocolate Pecan Pie

Kentucky Derby Favorites: Hot Brown And Chocolate Pecan Pie

Thousands of Louisvillians watch the Kentucky Derby at home like everyone else in the world. If you desire some Derby local color, here are two dishes to make this Saturday before or after the race, but never, ever during the most exciting 2 minutes in sports. Post time is at 6:30 pm EST, so plan accordingly.

The Hot Brown at The Brown Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky

First up is a Hot Brown, an open faced sandwich consisting of turkey, crispy bacon and sliced tomatoes covered in scrumptious Mornay sauce. The legendary sandwich was created by Chef Fred Schmidt in 1926 at Louisville's elegant Brown Hotel. Click here for the original recipe.

Follow up your Hot Brown with a slice of Derby Inspired pie. The real Derby pie, made of pecans, semi sweet chocolate chips and a touch of bourbon (OK, maybe more than a touch) was created by George Kern in 1950 at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky, a suburb of Louisville. Because it is copyrighted and the Kern family hasn't made it available to the public, we need to call this dessert anything but Derby pie.

Homemade Kentucky Chocolate Pecan Pie🐴

Ingredients

Photo: Markmark28

An unbaked 9 inch pie crust
1 cup dark (or semi sweet) chocolate chips
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup (one stick) softened butter
4 large eggs
1 ounce good Kentucky bourbon
1/3 cup maple syrup
2/3 cup light corn syrup {how to make your own: For one cup substitute 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water. You will only use 2/3 of it.}
1 1/2 cups pecans (*walnuts are often substituted*)

Directions:

1) Sprinkle the chocolate chips on the bottom of the unbaked pie crust.

2) Whisk together the sugar and butter. Add the eggs, bourbon, maple syrup and corn syrup. Stir in the pecans.

3) Pour into the unbaked pie crust and pop into a preheated 350 degree F oven.

4) Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the center is set. Allow to cool before slicing.

If you host a Kentucky Derby party here are favorite Derby appetizers to serve: Benedictine spread and Pimento Cheese spread. It is not a day you will save on calories, however, the food is shared.

Undoubtedly, they are luscious!  You're welcome! Enjoy the Kentucky Derby!!🌹


You may also enjoy:
Refreshing Bourbon Slush
Since 1875: The Kentucky Derby (with other Derby recipes)
Louisville After The Kentucky Derby
The Pegasus Parade Before The Kentucky Derby