This was on the news this am. Watch the video, several good ideas on there. :yes:
Much better than mint juleps: mint julep brownies. :winkgrin:
We can’t have a Derby party here without having Derby Pies - flaky crust filled with chocolatey nutty goodness! They’re very rich & we serve them with bourbon whipped cream. Which reminds me, have to dig out my recipe since I’m in charge of the pies this year.
Thanks Glimmer. Unfortunately, both recipes sounded like our “gag and toss in the sink ASAP”. I really did want to like them, though. Darn.
Mr. DY’s mother’s family was from Louisville. He grew up knowing how to throw a Derby party. Some of his family parties from back in the day could get a bit lavish, but we simplify:
- Mint juleps, beer, wine, etc.
- Fried Chicken and/or BBQ sandwiches (we cooked everything ourselves - including smoking the pork shoulder all day for the sandwiches)
- Potato Salad and/or Cole slaw
- Broccoli salad or pea salad
- Derby Pie and Buttermilk Pie
Mr. DY makes an awesome mint julep. One of the keys is to be sure to let the flavors marry, so you have to make it a day or two ahead of time. And it does help to serve them in chilled silver cups (our cups came from his great uncle’s yacht and are engraved “The Nauti Gal” :lol:).
For those not used to bourbon, the first sip can be pretty awful, but they start to go down “real smooth” after that. Sometimes too smooth - we have in years’ past found guests passed out on our beds (which is one reason why we don’t throw Derby parties anymore! ;)).
When we do our “betting pool” for melbourne cup party we just draw horse names out of a hat. 1st -3rd get money but also LAST place 
And last place is generally the same amount as first! lol Makes it a bit funner so your long shot still has an awesome shot at money ! lol
Sounds like a fun day !
P.
I looked at buying silver cups…then I looked at buying silver plate! 
Still a bit steep $$ for the number of guests I have. But I would have loved to have had them…
I know one food item I’m serving is my friend’s crock-pot pulled pork. You put it on a sandwich with the coleslaw. It is super yummy and can be made in advance.
The bad thing about hosting at my house is deep cleaning (2 dogs and 2 cats), the good thing about hosting at my house is that my house gets deep cleaned! LOL. I’m taking Friday off to clean.
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;6275077]
Thanks Glimmer. Unfortunately, both recipes sounded like our “gag and toss in the sink ASAP”. I really did want to like them, though. Darn.[/QUOTE]
No chance I’ll drink the stuff either. The drink likely served as a backup tool, after waterboarding, to extract info from prisoners at Gitmo 
A simple pour of some Wild Turkey American Honey over ice in a highball glass - perhaps cut with some tonic, if needed - works just fine too.
I’m throwing a Derby party this year for the first time. I’m making Burgoo with accompanying cornbread muffins. Making Derby pie and bourbon balls for dessert. Also having a fruit salad for anyone that wants lighter fare. I’m forgoing the Mint Juleps (blegh!) and making a fruity mint punch instead. Will have a little Kentucky Bourbon on hand though.
I bought 138th Derby plates, decorations and such from Amazon. I’ve pulled out some of my horse racing books to scatter on the coffee table and such. Going to use some of my Breyers as centerpieces.
The drink likely served as a backup tool, after waterboarding, to extract info from prisoners at Gitmo
Most funny, Glimmer !
I don’t mean to be going on about it - but as you seem to agree - those are juleps are seriously nasty. One little sip - gives you “Oh, WOW, foul, evil, . . . - get it far away & quick, call poison control.” That was one bad, bad culinary experience.
Does Churchill Downs have a warning label on them?
Poor unsuspecting fans must waste lots of them.
My rule at the Preakness is you can’t buy an empty glass for a souvenir, you have to buy a full one. I went to the Derby and couldn’t bring myself to do it. The smell alone made me want to hurl.
I don’t mind a mint julep, it’s a super sweet mojito to my taste - as long as it’s in a silver cup.
Sort of the way Coke in a glass bottle is better than a can, either of which are better than a plastic bottle - it’s gotta be in a silver cup.
Best drink at Churchill is bloodies for the early part of the card, then switch over to the hard stuff of your choice depending on how exactly you’re doing on your pick 6.
Another famous Louisville local dish is a “Hot Brown” - it’s like a hot turkey open-faced faced sandwich with a slathering of bacon and a thick cheesy/creamy sauce. Here’s the history of it, from the Brown Hotel:
http://www.brownhotel.com/dining-hot-brown.htm
They’re quite good but also quite rich; might be too rich for warmer weather. If one was a creative foodie, it would be fun to make mini-Hot Browns to serve as hors d’oeuvres.
[QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;6263291]
So I am hosting a KY Derby/Oaks party. Anyone have any great ideas on how to make it more memorable?[/QUOTE]
Charge admission and invite some celebrities
http://derbyexperiences.com/concierge-services/kentucky-derby-parties/the-barnstable-brown-gala
.
[QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;6276341]
The bad thing about hosting at my house is deep cleaning (2 dogs and 2 cats), the good thing about hosting at my house is that my house gets deep cleaned! LOL. I’m taking Friday off to clean.[/QUOTE]
I’ve also decided to jump into the fray!
Since principal racetrack bettors/friends/owners will be in the neighborhood, I’ve volunteered.
But afraid I’ll need more than 2 days to clean! LOL :eek::lol::eek:
The pulled pork sounds great. Had an ex SIL from the south, so definitely considering fried chicken and Key Lime pie. Have done the terrible mint juleps though, and may be instead coming up with a yummy punch…
I actually printed off a recipe yesterday for mini hot brown appetizers! They sound delicious! I had a very small gathering last year and served GENUINE hot browns! They were definately too heavy & rich for my liking, however my other guests LOVED them. I’m sure the appetizers will be much easier to prepare. I also found a recipe for Mint Tea Punch, and I intend to serve that in place of Mint Juleps. We will have enough of other alcholic beverage! I’m going to make a trial batch of the Mint Tea Punch tomorrow, just so I know it will be “drinkable” on Derby Day!
I can’t decide if I should make carrot cake mini cupcakes, carrot cake mini whoopie pies, or mini pecan tartlets (with chocolate chips) for dessert though. No bourbon, as there will be some minors in attendance, so no Derby Pie!
CVPEG - I hear ya! I am taking two vacation days from work next Thursday and Friday I have house guests coming to spend Derby weekend, and I’m also hosting a bridal shower on Sunday the 6th! I figure I’ll kill 2 birds with one stone, while the house is clean I intend to do quite a bit of prep work this weekend.
Perfecting the derby outfit!
Any tips on perfecting a derby outfit for a party? I will be the only horse person but still feel the need to go all out and look the part. Dress: a strapless dress with a navy background with rosettes printed on the fabric. It’s from Anthropologie and screams equestrian. I plan on wearing a natural colored floppy sun hat but I want to spice it up. I thought about cutting up some old ribbons and strategically placing them on the hat but I’m not sure if that will clash with the ribbons on the dress. Feathers are popular but again, will that clash with the dress? I’m open to ideas!
