Kentucky horse racing can be traced back to 1783 when races
were being held in the middle of Kentucky streets and on a
number of private tracks located on farms throughout the
area.
Several concerned citizens complained about safety issues,
and eventually the first race track was built in Lexington
in 1789.
Almost one hundred years later in 1872, a young
entrepreneur named Col. M. Lewis Clark traveled in England
and France visiting a number of prominent racing leaders.
Upon his return, he devised a plan to create a Louisville
Jockey Club to showcase the Kentucky breeding industry.
The track formally opened May 17, 1875 when over 10,000
excited fans witnessed four spectacular races. The winner
of the first race was Bonaventure, however the winner of
the day's featured race, the Kentucky Derby, was a
three-year-old chestnut colt named Aristides.
Eventually the track became known as "Churchill Downs-Home
of the Kentucky Derby" because Clark leased the land from
his uncles, John and Henry Churchill.
Over the years, several improvements have been made to the
property, including the addition of the now famous spires
on the top of the main building, making Churchill Downs the
most well known horse racing venue in the United States.
This year, the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby will
take place on May 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Take this
opportunity to officially welcome Spring and plan a
Kentucky Derby party. I've given you a few of my favorite
recipes to help get you started.
Appetizer--Warm Vidalia Onion Dip
Made with the sweetest onions and served warm with your
favorite crackers, get ready to hand out this recipe. Our
Aunt Diane first made this dip and since then it has become
a family favorite.
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sweet onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Assorted crackers
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Stir in
cheese and spoon mixture into shallow baking dish.
Bake for 40 minutes or until dip is bubbly. Serve warm
with crackers.
Main Course--Benedictine (Cucumber Sandwiches)
Served regularly at the Kentucky Derby, Benedictine is made
with cucumber and cream cheese and is named after the
restaurant that first created it. The most common way to
eat it is to make finger sandwiches by spreading the
mixture on cocktail bread. You can also thin it out with
sour cream to make a dip for vegetables.
1 large cucumber
Grated 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons onion
1/4 tsp salt
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Dash green food coloring (optional)
Cocktail bread (pumpernickel is good) or vegetables
To make it, start by paring, grating and draining the
cucumber. Combine with remaining ingredients in food
processor and pulse until well combined.
Dessert--Kentucky Derby Pie
There are a million recipes for Kentucky Derby Pie but I
like this one because it's made with chocolate and walnuts.
It's rich and gooey.
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1 tablespoon bourbon
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 prepared 8 inch pie crust
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spread chocolate chips and nuts in bottom of prepared pie
shell.
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Mix in
flour. Beat the eggs slightly, and stir into the creamed
mixture. Add bourbon.
Pour filling into pie shell (over chips and nuts) and bake
at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.
Cocktail--Limoncello Mint Lemonade
Limoncello Mint Lemonade is a new wave cocktail made with
fresh mint leaves.
1/2 cup lemonade concentrate
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Ice cubes
1/4 cup Limoncello (lemon liqueur)
1/2 cup club soda
In a small pitcher, "muddle" mint leaves together with
lemonade concentrate and lemon juice. Muddle means to
bruise the leaves so they release their flavor. I use the
end of a wooden spoon.
Stir in ice cubes, Limoncello and club soda and pour into 4
glasses. Top them off with a lemon slice and a sprig of
fresh mint.
Makes 4-10 oz. drinks.
Invite some friends over, make some great food and watch
the Kentucky Derby together. Hopefully I've given you some
recipes to start with.
----------------------------------------------------
Sandee Lembke from Theme Party Queen.com
(http://www.theme-party-queen.com ) invites you to visit
her site for more Kentucky Derby theme party ideas and
recipes.
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