Tag Archives: Kentucky Derby

Rhubarb Mint Juleps

Posted on by April 30, 2015

Rhubarb Mint Juleps are just the ticket to take advantage of the fresh rhubarb that’s in abundance during the spring as well as take cocktail hour to the next level at the Kentucky Derby Party. I have to admit, there’s absolutely nothing traditional about this combination, and rhubarb is not a southern thing at all, so the combo might seem a bit odd, but I am a combination of a Southerner and a Northerner and I reserve the right to mix and match as I so choose. And I love rhubarb in the spring and think it pairs really well with bourbon because rhubarb is really tart, so it pairs well with things that taste naturally sweet. Mint juleps are all about the sweet, so rhubarb provides a nice balance. Note: I came upon a new technique that makes these rhubarb juleps even better, so if you looked at this recipe, or printed it prior to 4/22/15, take another look. It all came about when I was making my Fresh Strawberry Pie with Rhubarb Curd. I made too much of the rhubarb puree and began whisking it into cocktails. Turns out that rhubarb puree preserved the flavor of rhubarb WAY … Continue reading →

Twice Glazed Brisket: Bourbon and Peaches

Posted on by April 28, 2015

I can’t take credit for the awesomeness of this Twice Glazed Brisket: Bourbon and Peaches. I made this recipe almost exactly as the chef wrote it for the February 2012 issue of Bon Appetit. But I’ll add my pictures and comments [Text in brackets is mine, the rest is from Chef Lee] so you know you’re on track, and offer my endorsement of this recipe because it’s really, really good. As in best brisket I’ve had or made good. And the pickles are necessary. They make the sweetness and richness of the meat make sense. While this Twice Glazed Brisket: Bourbon and Peaches is worth throwing a party in and of itself, I chose to make it the centerpiece of my Kentucky Derby Party Menu. If you’ve started with Chilled Peach Soup and a few Watermelon Radish and Cucumber Basil tea sandwiches, you’ll definitely need something substantial to anchor all those mint juleps. Trust me, this Twice Glazed Brisket: Bourbon and Peaches is up to the task. I serve it with old school white bread, or potato bread and people can make themselves little sandwiches if they don’t want to track down a fork and knife. Trust me, that’s what they’ll … Continue reading →

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches with Spinach Basil Mascarpone

Posted on by April 27, 2015

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches with Spinach Basil Mascarpone are sliced, stacked and ready to be enjoyed, because one type of tea sandwich just isn’t enough for my Kentucky Derby Party! These Cucumber Tea Sandwiches with Spinach Basil Mascarpone are cool and refreshing and a nice contrast to the slightly spicy Radish and Mint Butter Tea Sandwich. The cocktail rye bread makes them easy to prepare, and they turn out the perfect size without you having to remove their crusts. Removing the crust for tea sandwiches that always makes me feel guilty, probably a good thing, it is wasteful after all, but it does make for perfect little sandwiches that feel really special and rather dainty all at the same time. Make sure you taste one assembled before you make the whole batch, you may like to adjust the salt level or add a bit more basil, etc. to make these Cucumber Tea Sandwiches with Spinach Basil Mascarpone perfect for you. I like to stack them tall in squares on smaller plates and replenish them often. Again, there’s something about the small plates piled high with Cucumber Tea Sandwiches with Spinach Basil Mascarpone that makes the feel indulgent and elegant. … Continue reading →

Deviled Eggs

Posted on by April 30, 2015

Of course, everyone already knows how to make Deviled Eggs. Why would you possibly need a recipe? The truth is that most of us need a recipe, or at least some new techniques. In fact, it’s possible (or probable) that this should have been a pantry tips/ let’s fix it post. Because everyone knows how to hard-boil an egg intuitively, that means that lots of us don’t know how to do it well. If you don’t know Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything, you’re in for a treat, because his column and book are all about technique. In fact, Deviled Eggs are an example of a food I thought I didn’t like but actually just hadn’t eaten it cooked correctly until very late in life because I can’t stand the taste of over cooked hard boiled eggs. Mark Bittman’s egg cooking techniques are life altering, at least for people like me. I recommend you watch this video. Cooking the eggs properly will update this old school dish in a new school way. And after you know how to boil eggs to your liking, the sky is the limit in terms of making Deviled Eggs. I like them to be a … Continue reading →