Benedictine Spread

 Ingredients:

• 1 large English cucumber
• 8 oz. bar cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons grated onion (sweet or yellow)
• 1/2 tsp. salt (or to taste)
• freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 TBSP. mayonnaise
• green Tabasco sauce (to taste)
• 2-3 drops green food coloring

Directions:

1. Peel cucumber; slice lengthwise; remove all seeds.
2. Grate cucumber coarsely.
3. Blend all ingredients (except food coloring) in blender.
4. Add green food coloring.
5. Serve with raw vegetables or crackers.

Bourbon Balls

Just about every Kentuckian hosting a Kentucky Derby Party will serve these delectable Southern bite-sized treats!

Ingredients:
      2 sticks butter, softened
      2 lbs. powdered sugar
      1/4 cup bourbon
      1 cup finely chopped pecans (I put pecan halves in a food processor.)

      2 - 12 oz. bags semi-sweet chocolate chips
      2 Tbsp. shortening (I've been known to use butter flavored.)

      86-90 pecan halves for garnishing

Instructions:
1.  Using an electric mixer, mix softened butter with powdered sugar until well blended.
2.  Add bourbon and mix well.
3.  Hand stir in the chopped pecans.
4.  Refrigerate mixture for at least 1 hour.
5.  While mixture is chilling. line 4 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
6.  When mixture is chilled, use a small cookie scoop to guarantee a uniform size of bourbon balls.
7.  Roll each bourbon ball and place on cookie sheets.
8.  Refrigerate bourbon balls.
9.  Melt 1 bag plus 1 tablespoon of shortening.
10. Dip bourbon balls in chocolate and place a pecan half on each ball.
11. Return dipped bourbon balls to refrigerator.
12. Repeat #9-#11 until all balls have been dipped.
* These bourbon balls will keep in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for a month.

Derby Pie Truffles

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups toasted pecans, finely chopped
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• dipping chocolate (may use semi-sweet chocolate chips with paraffin OR chocolate almond bark)

Directions:

1. Toast pecans and finely chop.
2. In medium bowl, stir together the chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and salt until well combined.
3. Add maple syrup, bourbon and vanilla extract and stir well. Use your hands to make sure it is fully incorporated.
4. Shape into 1-inch balls and place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheets.
5. Freeze for at least 2 hours.
6. Dip in melted chocolate and return to waxed paper-lined cookie sheets. 
7. These should be ready to serve in 15 minutes.
8. Store in air tight container at room temperature.

Thanks to Mayim Bialik for sharing this Derby Pie Truffles recipe.

Bourbon Weiners

Ingredients:

• 3 (14-16 oz.) packages mini sausages or mini hotdogs
• 1 1/2 cups bourbon
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/2 cups ketchup

Directions: This recipe can be made 3 hours before guests arrive.

1. Mix bourbon, brown sugar and ketchup in large pan.
2. Cook on medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Stir often.
3. Stir mini sausages or mini hotdogs into mixture.
4. Put in crock pot and set on "low".

Derby Pie Bars

For the shortbread crust:
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
For the filling:
12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups sugar
3 eggs
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons bourbon or whiskey (or more to taste)
1½ cups chocolate chips
1½ cups chopped walnuts


To make the crust, combine the powdered sugar, flour, and salt In the bowl of a food processor. Add cubes of butter and pulse until it resembles coarse cornmeal. (You can also use your fingers or a pastry cutter to incorporate the butter. Whatever is easiest for you.) Firmly pat the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Bake the crust at 350 degrees for about 20 to 23 minutes until just lightly golden.

To make the filling, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, flour, salt , and bourbon and continue to mix until well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour batter over partially baked crust. Bake until filling is set and top is light golden brown, approximately 25 minutes. Allow bars to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into 2-inch squares (or desired size).

Bars will keep in an airtight container for at least a week. (Yields 24 2-inch squares.)

Kentucky Hot Brown Bites

I really like Steph's recipes at Plain Chicken. Being from the city of Louisville, home to the Kentucky Derby, I especially like these Kentucky Hot Brown Bites.

Mornay Sauce
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
1/2 cup coarsely grated Gruyère or Swiss

Kentucky Hot Brown Bites
1 can refrigerated crescent rolls
1 cup finely chopped turkey
1 cup mornay sauce
2 slices bacon, chopped
1 tomato, diced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Mornay Sauce:

1. Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in flour, and cook, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. (Do not let mixture brown.)
2, Add milk, whisking constantly. Bring to a low boil, and cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes more.
3. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
4. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese.
5. Allow to cool slightly.

Bites:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small bowl combine finely chopped turkey and mornay sauce.
3. Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with non stick cooking spray.
4. Unroll crescent rolls and press dough into one large rectangle.
5. Cut rectangle into 24 squares.
6. Press dough squares into muffin cups and shape up around the edges.

Fill each muffin cup with some of the turkey mixture. Top each bite with some diced tomato, bacon and parmesan cheese.

Bake 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Simple Sausage Balls

Makes 50 sausage balls.

Ingredients:

1 lb. spicy pork sausage
10 oz. grated cheddar cheddar (mild or sharp)
3 cups Bisquick
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Combine sausage, cheese and Bisquick until well blended. (I usually put on plastic gloves and do this part with my hands, but it can be done with a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.)
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange 1 inch apart on a dry cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, or until browned.
6. Drain on paper towels, then serve hot or at room temperature.
***I have been known to make the balls, freeze them and pop them in the oven as I want to serve them.***

Pineapple Pecan Spread

This recipe was popular when I was growing up in the '70's! Yummy, too! Be ready to hand out the recipe. Someone is always asking for it!

Ingredients:

2 - 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. seasoned salt (I use Lawry's brand.)
1 small can crushed pineapple, undrained
1/4 cup green pepper, finely chopped
2 green onions, finely chopped
1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped
assorted crackers

Directions:

1. Using a mixer, blend together cream cheese and seasoned salt on high speed until fluffy.
2. Add pineapple, green pepper, onions and pecans and blend well on low speed.
3. Cover and place in refrigerator at least 4 hours before serving (overnight is even better).
4. Serve with crackers.

Derby Tartlets

This recipe allows your Derby guests to have a taste of the Derby Pie without needing a fork. It makes 36 tartlets.

Ingredients:

36 mini phyllo shells
1/3 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup finely chopped pecans
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 1/2 cups whipped cream (or Readi-Whip)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped milk chocolate

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly spray a large cookie sheet with Pam.
3. Arrange shells on prepared cookie sheet.
4. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips into shells.
5. In a small bowl, stir together pecans, brown sugar, bourbon, egg, and butter.
6. Spoon evenly into shells.
7. Bake for 20 minutes, or until browned.
8. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Top each tart with whipped cream and sprinkle with chopped chocolate.

The Oaks Lily

This is the recipe for the signature drink at The Oaks. Oaks Day is the day before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Many Kentuckians attend the Oaks, and attire is about the same as it is on Derby Day. We always have fun at Oaks Day. We served this drink at our Derby Party, and it was a success.

Ingredients:

For an individual Lily ~
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. sweet and sour mix
3 oz. cranberry juice
splash of triple sec

For a large group ~
32 oz. vodka
32 oz. sweet and sour mix
96 oz. cranberry juice
1 oz. triple sec

Actually, I made this in pitchers and served it from a crystal drink dispenser. When the ingredients are mixed, place the pinkish cocktail in a stemless wine glass with crushed ice. Add a straw and garnish with an orange wedge and cherry.

Bourbon Balls

This candy is a must for a Kentucky Derby party. Although the recipe calls for 5 tablespoons bourbon, you may add more if you want. This recipe makes 30 balls.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
5 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
18 oz. dipping chocolate (I use semisweet.)

Directions:

1. Cream together butter and sugar.
2. Add bourbon until well blended.
3. If the dough is too soft to form balls, put in refrigerator for 1 hour before forming the balls.
4. Form into 3/4" balls, and place on waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
5. Chill balls in refrigerator overnight.
6. Melt chocolate. (I use a double boiler if using semisweet chips.)
7. Dip balls to coat, letting excess drip off.
8. Return to refrigerator to harden.
9. Store in airtight container in refrigerator until serving time.

Texas Caviar

My friend Celia (aka Beth's Mother-in-Law) gave me this awesome recipe. It's quite tasty with Tostito Scoops or Frito Scoops!

Ingredients:
1 can black-eyed peas, drained & rinsed
1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
1 can corn (yellow & white), drained & rinsed
1 small jar chopped pimentos, drained
1 cup celery, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1 small jar red hot peppers, chopped (B&G sandwich toppers ~ 8oz.)

Dressing:
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Stir all ingredients for dressing in a sauce pan and bring to a boil to dissolve sugar.



2. Let dressing cool.



3. Mix everythingtogether.



4. Put in glass jars and place in refrigerator. (Makes 2 quarts)

Baby Hot Browns

I hail from the city of Louisville, home of the Kentucky Derby. The Hot Brown is a popular part of a Kentucky Derby meal. I like to serve a smaller version of the Hot Brown as an appetizer from Southern Living. This Baby Hot Brown was a hit at our first Kentucky Derby party.

Since I have learned that sometimes a link changes, here is the actual recipe.

Ingredients:

24 pumpernickel party rye bread slices
3 TBSP. butter or margarine
3 TBSP. all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups (4 oz.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups diced cooked turkey
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (I use the shredded in a bag.)
6 bacon slices, cooked, crumbled, and divided (I use Oscar Mayer bacon pieces.)
5 plum tomatoes, thinkly sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven on broil setting.
2. Arrange bread slices on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Broil 6 inches from heat for 3-4 minutes.
3. After bread has been removed from oven, set temperature to 500 degrees.
3. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat; add flour and cook (whisking constantly until smooth).
4. Gradually whisk in milk; cook over medium heat (whisking constantly until mixture is thickened and bubbly).
5. Add cheddar cheese, whisking until cheese melts.
6. Stir in diced turkey, salt and cayenne pepper.
7. Top bread evenly with warm cheese-turkey mixture.
8. Sprinkle evenly with parmesan cheese and half of bacon.
9. Bake at 500 degrees for 2 minutes or until parmesan is melted.
10. Top with tomato slices, and sprinkle evenly with remaining bacon.

TO MAKE AHEAD ~ Prepare the cheese-turkey mixture, cook the bacon (unless you are using the precooked bacon), and grate the parmesan (unless you are using the shredded in a bag) the day before the party. To reheat cheese mixture, place pan over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and warm. Assemble and proceed as directed.

Kentucky Derby Pie

Ingredients:
1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup melted butter
2 Tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 Pillsbury ready-made pie crust

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put pie crust into pie pan.
3. Combine flour and sugar in a mixing bowl.
4. Add the eggs and butter; mix to combine.
5. Stir in the bourbon, walnuts, chocolate chips, vanilla and salt.
6. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie crust.
7. Bake 40-45 minutes.
8. Let cool before slicing.