On May 17, 1875, Oliver Lewis rode Aristides for 1.25 miles to win the first Kentucky Derby, in a field of 15 horses, in front of a crowd of 10,000 spectators.
On the first Saturday in May, in front of an estimated crowd of 150,000 spectators, an estimated 20 horses will run 1.5 miles, and the winner of the 151st Derby will be crowned with a blanket of 426 red roses.
The Kentucky Derby is a special time of year at home; it’s our Christmas. Many of us Kentuckians welcome our friends and family to town, and in doing so, we pull out all the stops, sharing our hospitality through our recipes and traditions that make the first weekend in May so very special.
This year, I will be celebrating the Kentucky Derby with my family in North Carolina, so I want to pack up my cooler with some traditional fare that we can all enjoy while we watch the race. Just because I won't be at home does not mean we have to skimp on tradition!
No matter where you live, consider hosting a Kentucky Derby party at your place! It’s the perfect reason to get together on a warm spring day with friends and serve some delicious bites and drinks. Keep reading to learn more about some of the essential dishes you will want to be sure to prepare to impress your guests.
When it comes to menu planning for the Kentucky Derby, I love to share recipes with a rich history, like Benedictine. This recipe was created by Jennie Carter Benedict, a caterer and restaurateur in Louisville, Kentucky. Benedictine is a spreadable blend of cream cheese, dill, spices, and grated cucumber and onion. It is traditionally served on white bread with the crust removed and cut into tea sandwiches. I enjoy upgrading the sandwiches by adding bacon and cucumber slices, and dredging the edges in chopped parsley for an extra special touch.
Another favorite food I serve is country ham and biscuits. My favorite ham is from the award-winning family at Broadbent Farms. This family-owned business has operated since 1909 and produces the finest country ham I have tasted.
Since I am traveling this year, I will make the Benedictine in advance, pack it in glass containers, and bake and freeze a smaller version of my buttermilk biscuits. Instead of sliced country ham, I am bringing my country ham pate, a delicious twist on a traditional country ham biscuit.
I certainly cannot forget a sweet treat to share, so I will be sure to pack bourbon balls, a delicious confection of bourbon and pecan-soaked nougat covered in chocolate and topped with a pecan (you can also turn these into a bourbon ball cake, if you’d like!). Bourbon Balls were invented at Rebecca Ruth’s, just down the street from where I grew up in Frankfort, Kentucky. I will never forget the time my mom took me to pick up some boxes of candy from the shop when they invited me into the kitchen to watch the candy being made. I was mesmerized, and my mom and I created our own recipe, which I have shared with neighbors and friends over the years.
Lastly, no Kentucky Derby celebration would be complete without a Mint Julep, and I couldn't imagine drinking them out of any other vessel than my sterling silver cups that my godmother gifted me over the years. It's those traditions that make the Kentucky Derby so special. They will be packed carefully as we make our journey South. Cheers!