May is National Salad month and at The Savory Pantry, we are celebrating with recipes and ingredients to enhance our favorite salad recipes. With summer just around the corner, some of our favorite fruits and veggies are ripened and ready for the spotlight! We've rounded up a few of our favorite salads to share. Stay tuned the rest of this week for original recipes and our recommendations for the best olive oils and vinegars to bring your greens to life!
Recipe Roundup : Traditional Kentucky Derby Fare
We've rounded up traditional Kentucky Derby fare and a few variations that break from tradition as well! From small bites to hearty stews (and of course a cocktail) these recipes make a great spread for your Kentucky Derby gathering or for any occasion.
Miniature 'Hot Browns" made famous by The Brown Hotel in Louisville.
Kentucky's most famous stew, Burgoo is a hearty meat lovers dream!
This version of Derby pie replaces pecans with walnuts for a delicious twist.
Fluffy cream cheese biscuits are a great option for impromptu sandwich making.
This recipe for the traditional mint julep can be made ahead of time, as the ingredients steep for 3 days!
These dainty shortbread cookies are infused with the flavors of mint and bourbon.
Derby Days: The Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is the third leg of the Triple Crown. Every major champion in racing history has competed on this race track. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness are staples of Southern tradition, but The Belmont is a true New York affair!
Until 1997, the traditional song was “Sidewalks of New York”, but was changed to “New York, New York”, thought to be more familiar to a larger, younger audience. Not only was the song changed, the official drink was changed from the White Carnation to the Belmont Breeze, based on a colonial recipe of whiskey punch. The traditional trophy hasn’t changed. A Tiffany made, silver bowl donated by the Belmont family is still presented at the winner’s circle, along with a horse blanket made of white carnations.
THE HAT
"Bianca" Hat from Christine A. Moore Millinery - The Official Milliner of The Breeder's Cup! CLICK HERE to visit Christine's website and view her stunning collection of extraordinary race day hats!
THE COCKTAIL
The Belmont Breeze
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 ounce Dry Sack Medium Dry Sherry
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Splash of orange juice
- Splash of cranberry juice
- 5 mint leaves
- 1 mint sprig
- 1 orange zest
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with fresh mint sprig and orange peel.
Derby Days: The Preakness
Steeped in tradition, The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of The Triple Crown. First run in 1873, this storied race has been run every year since 1909 at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course.
Baltimore is a food lover's paradise, and, being on The Chesapeake Bay, crab is abundant! Our Preakness celebrations always include Maryland Blue Crab Dip. Our favorite recipe is adapted from The Brown-Eyed Baker. If available, use fresh backfin Maryland Blue crab!
THE HAT
"Bianca" Hat from Christine A. Moore Millinery - The Official Milliner of The Breeder's Cup! CLICK HERE to visit Christine's website and view her stunning collection of extraordinary race day hats!
THE COCKTAIL
The blanket of Black-Eyed Susan's that adorns the winner's neck is the inspiration for the official race-day cocktail, The Black Eyed Susan. The drink, unlike the flower, is always in season!
Black Eyed Susan
(the official cocktail of The Preakness)
1/2 to 3/4 cup crushed ice
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce light rum
1/2 ounce Triple Sec
2 ounces unsweetened pineapple juice
2 ounces orange juice
Lime slice and pitted sweet dark cherry (we love these Woodford Cherries)
Place desired amount of ice in a rocks glass. Pour vodka, rum, Triple Sec and juices into glass. Stir; serve with a lime slice and cherry.
Derby Days: The Kentucky Derby
The Savory Pantry on the Road to the Triple Crown! We love any excuse to throw a party and as far as we're concerned, there is nothing better than the excitement surrounding The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes, and The Belmont. There are so many traditions surrounding these great races, and this week we'll introduce you to two of our favorites: The cocktails and the fashion! Mix up a signature race day drink and don a gorgeous hat from our friend and noted milliner Christine A. Moore...you're already a winner!
Stay tuned...at the end of the week we'll provide some great recipes and fun tips for throwing an exceptional Kentucky Derby party at home! ~Keeley
The 140th running of The Kentucky Derby is coming up May 3rd and, horse racing fans that we are, we've been preparing for weeks! We love the traditions surrounding the greatest two minutes in sports....a well-made Mint Julep, a slice of Derby Pie, the singing of My Old Kentucky Home, not to mention the extraordinary hats...
Join us as we celebrate this year's Run for the Roses in great taste... and great style!
THE HAT
"Black Beauty" Hat from Christine A. Moore Millinery - The Official Milliner of The Breeder's Cup! CLICK HERE to visit Christine's website and view her stunning collection of extraordinary race day hats!
THE COCKTAIL
No Derby Day celebration is complete without a traditional Mint Julep. While there are many variations on Kentucky's most famous drink, we prefer a tried and true recipe from long-time family friend Bob McFarland.
Bob and his wife Myra Jo were known on the Dallas cocktail circuit for their annual Kentucky Derby party, often lasting into the wee small hours of the morning... long after the Run for the Roses was over! Bob is no longer with us, but his spirit (pun intended!) lives on in his legendary Mint Juleps. The secret to this intoxicating julep is time. Allow the mint, bourbon and sugar to steep for 3 days prior to serving.
Bob McFarland's Mint Julep
You will need:
- 1 cup fresh mint
- 1 pint bourbon (we like Woodford Reserve)
- 1 cup sugar
In an airtight container, gently muddle mint with sugar. Add bourbon, cover, and allow flavors to meld for 3 days.
When ready to serve strain mint mixture through cheesecloth into a serving pitcher, squeezing the cloth as you go to release as much of the mint mixture as possible.
Fill julep cups with crushed ice. Add 1 part mint mixture to 2 parts bourbon. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. Serve with a straw. If desired, rim julep cups with mint julep sugar prior to filling.