Chica and Jo Chica and Jo

DIY tutorials, party ideas, recipes, crafts, and tips for everyday life

Chica and Jo Chica and Jo

DIY tutorials, party ideas, recipes, crafts, and tips for everyday life

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Kentucky Derby Party Food Recipes

by: Chica
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Kentucky Derby Party Food Recipes
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As Kentucky girls, Jo and I love to throw a Kentucky Derby party every year so our friends can watch the race with us. There are three key things you need to have for your Derby party: a TV to watch the race, a Derby betting system like Jo's, and food!

Our favorite traditional Kentucky dishes to serve at a Derby party are Hot Browns, our version of a Derby Pie, and Mint Juleps. Here are our recipes so you can serve your guests in style.

Mini Hot Brown Appetizers

Mini Hot Brown Appetizers

A Kentucky tradition first created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Hot Browns can be made with turkey, ham, or a combination.

Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (not margarine)
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 3-1/2 cups milk (2% or whole)
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • pre-cooked turkey or ham, sliced or torn into chunks
  • toasted bread
  • cherry tomatoes, sliced
  • strips of bacon, slightly under-cooked
  • shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add flour and stir until well incorporated. Cook about 1 minute.
  2. Add milk and whisk quickly to avoid lumps.
  3. Add Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
  4. Cook on medium heat until it begins to boil, stirring constantly. Sauce will be thick like a batter.
  5. Place slices of toasted bread on an oven-safe plate.
  6. Top with turkey and/or ham.
  7. Drizzle with sauce.
  8. Top with a big pinch of shredded cheddar, a piece of bacon, and a slice or two of tomato.
  9. Place plate under broiler for 2-4 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Notes

To use this recipe for dinner-sized portions, use standard size slices of sandwich bread. Add a second slice on top of the meat, and smother it with 1-2 cups of sauce before adding toppings and broiling.

Kentucky Derby party food recipes Mini Hot Browns

Jo's Kentucky Chocolate Nut Pie

Jo's Kentucky Chocolate Nut Pie

For a truce slice of Kentucky's sweet history, you can't go wrong with the official Derby Pie (TM). If you can't get your hands on one in time, though, Jo's recipe for chocolate nut pie is a great substitute.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 eggs, slightly beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cups pecans, chopped
  • 3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup margarine, melted
  • one pie crust (frozen, refrigerated, or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a bowl, mix all ingredients except pie crust.
  3. Put pie crust into a 9" pie pan.
  4. Pour mixture into unbaked crust and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Serve warm or cold.

Notes

This pie tastes great topped with ice cream or whipped cream.

Kentucky Derby party food recipes Derby Pie

Kentucky Derby party food recipes Derby Pie

Mint Julep

Mint Julep

The traditional Kentucky Derby drink, the Mint Julep is best served in a classic Julep cup. It's a very refreshing drink for a hot day on the track!

Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes

Ingredients

  • simple syrup
  • fresh mint
  • crushed ice
  • bourbon whiskey

Instructions

  1. Drizzle 1-2 tbsp of simple syrup into a chilled Julep cup.
  2. Drop in 3-5 leaves of fresh mint.
  3. Use a spoon or muddler to bruise the mint and release the essential oils.
  4. Fill the glass with crushed ice and top off with bourbon whiskey to taste.
  5. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Notes

To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a pan. Heat to boiling and stir to dissolve thoroughly. Allow to boil one minute, then remove from heat. Can be made days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.

Kentucky Derby party food recipes Mint Juleps

Kentucky Derby Party Food Recipes
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4 comments so far:

  • 1
    Rachel 04/30/2009 at 2:09 pm

    Now I *have* to go melt cheese on something...YUM! I'll be linking.

  • 2
    Michelle 05/17/2009 at 7:09 am

    Thought you might enjoy seeing my Kentucky Derby Table Setting and Dinner Menu
    http://www.thejuicydish.com/Leonard/Posts/5680

  • 3
    Cathy 04/27/2021 at 4:35 pm

    Being a Kentucky girl myself (currently trapped in California), I make bourbon balls every Christmas, also. Do you ladies have a good recipe for Benedictine?...maybe even the original? I'm surprised you didn't add these to your Derby menu. Love your blog!!

  • 4
    Chica 04/29/2021 at 10:13 am

    Cathy, we love Benedictine too, but don't have a recipe to share. If you find one you like, we'd love to see it!

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Chica and Jo

Hi there! We are Chica and Jo, best friends who love to create whenever we can. From fun DIY projects to elaborate parties to delicious recipes, you're sure to find ideas that will inspire you. Take a look around and follow us @chicaandjo to see what we're up to today.

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