How to throw a signature Kentucky Derby Party

If your from the south you’ve heard of the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby is celebrated the first Saturday in May with visitors from around the world gathering at the racetrack, and all over Louisville. Home owners get ready to throw a party no one will soon forget. Gather friends and family to watch the race at home in great Southern tradition. You can mix-and-match these recipes to host a Bluegrass-themed party.

Food
There are a couple of essentials you must serve at your Derby party. Not only are these recipes traditional fare for the Derby, but they are delicious too!

Spiced Pecans

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

4 cups pecan halves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 teaspoons sugar

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

Garnish: fresh rosemary leaves

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cook butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or just until butter begins to turn golden brown. Immediately remove pan from heat, and stir in pecans. Arrange pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and sugar.
2. 2. Bake pecans at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Sprinkle with rosemary. Bake 2 more minutes. Cool completely on baking sheet (about 30 minutes). Store in an airtight container.

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie crust

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels

1 cup dark corn syrup

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup bourbon or water

4 large eggs

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 teaspoons cornmeal

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Fit piecrust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp.
2. Sprinkle pecans and chocolate evenly onto bottom of piecrust; set aside.
3. Combine corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk about one-fourth hot mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot mixture, whisking constantly. Pour filling into prepared piecrust.
5. Bake at 325° for 55 minutes or until set; cool on wire rack.

Cocktails

The mint julep is the iconic drink of the Kentucky Derby. Serve it in a silver julep cup for a traditional presentation. Here are some other race-day cocktails you should try.

Mint Julep

4 Fresh Mint Sprigs

2 1/2 oz Kentucky Burbon Whiskey

1 tsp Powdered Sugar

2 tsp Water

Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass. Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw.

Decorations

Take your cue from the Kentucky Derby’s nickname, the Run for the Roses, and decorate with the classic flower. Rose make great centerpieces or small tabletop decorations. Fill traditional silver julep cups with red roses for a small-scale arrangement.

Use brightly colored tablecloths and napkins as a nod to the jockeys’ colorful uniforms, called silks.

Invitations
The official Kentucky Derby Web site allows party planners to create and send e-vites.

Programs
Order official Kentucky Derby Programs so your guests really feel like they’re at the races.

Games
The actual race only takes two minutes, so plan a few Derby-inspired games to extend your party and keep your guests entertained before and after the race.

Hat Contest
Ask your guests to wear hats to your party and encourage creativity by offering a prize for best hat.

Game of Luck

Let each guest draw a horse’s name out of a hat to cheer for during the race. The guest paired with the winning horse wins a prize.

For the Kids

Set up a game of horseshoes in the yard, or have the kids bring their own stick horses for their very own Run for the Roses.

Attire
It just wouldn’t be right to wear jeans and a T-shirt to a Kentucky Derby party, unless you were going for the relaxed, tailgating atmosphere of the infield. You must dress the part and go for the hat!

Source:

http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/kentucky-derby-day-party-00400000043969/page7.html

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-brown-butter-pecans-50400000120798/

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