Hold Your Horses!

Whoa... It's Derby Week...

and the Derby is THIS Weekend!!

You know how the horses run for the roses??

The winning horse and jockey receive a 

gorgeous blanket of red roses... 

(...and I'm sure some other amazing first-place awards)

What would you run for??

I'd run for roses...but I might run faster for pie....

...especially chocolate chip pie.

I'm so excited to share these

 Kentucky-esque recipes with you

and I am also excited that it's finally May...and the 

sun is finally shinning.

I do believe May might be the busiest month

of the year... at least in our

house it is just the busiest of times.

We have birthdays to celebrate, mother's to

honor, baseball games that need to be played...

Derby parties to attend...

I need to giddy-up, because 

I have quite a to-do

list brewing...

One more thing I will be doing this week: 

Visiting our friends at Fox 19.

I always visit the first 

Friday of each month...

and without fail we have

 big weather issues

to contend with those days...

I was just looking at the forecast...

and I think it will be raining cats and dogs on Friday!  

Let's hope not, but if you're watching...keep that in mind...

For Friday's Fox19 visit, 

I have pulled together two yummy

treats and a delicious drink for all

 your Derby-celebration needs.

Even if you're not

hosting a viewing party...these

treats would be the perfect way to celebrate!!

Dessert first??

Why not?!

A 'Chocolate Chip Pie" what could be better...?

It's like a pie and a cookie all rolled into one.  

Served warm this pie is heavenly... with a scoop of

vanilla ice cream...  

It's worth running home for...

or

running in general... 

just get to that pie!!

Or...for a true

Kentucky twist...how about a dollop 

of bourbon whipped cream??  

Yes, please.

If all this racing around makes you hungry...

Try A Kentucky Hot Brown Bite...

It's a mini Kentucky Hot Brown, but on an easy-to-eat  

mini baguette...

(A Kentucky Hot Brown, is a celebrated Louisville, Kentucky

open-faced sandwich, a cheesy turkey, bacon and 

tomato sandwich served piping hot and melty... 

the name hails from the Hotel where it originated)

Make the topping for the baguette slices

 a day ahead and you'll be all set.  

It only takes a few minutes in the oven 

to create these mini-hot cheesy masterpieces!!

I am also including a recipe for 

Race Day: Mint Julep Iced Tea...

because we need something to wash down all

this Louisville, Kentucky food goodness!

And ...we've been talking an awful lot about running and running 

races...and with all this running we really should stay hydrated...

I hope you enjoy these recipes... 

and that your horse wins the race!

Hold Your Horses Chocolate Chip Pie!

Kentucky bourbon Whipped Cream

Karri Perry Blue Ribbon Kitchen

1 unbaked pie crust (homemade or store-bought for recipe see below)

***

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar-packed

2 large eggs

1 ½ sticks softened unsalted butter

½ tsp salt

½ tsp vanilla

½ cup flour

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Toast and chop pecans-set aside.

Prepare pie dough and place into a 9-inch pie plate, set aside-keeping dough chilled until ready to bake.

In a medium bowl, combine butter, sugars, eggs, salt and vanilla.  Mix until combined using a hand mixer.  Fold in the flour, chocolate chips and pecans. 
Pour mixture into the prepared pie plate.

Bake on middle oven rack at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until pie is set and the crust is golden.

Let cool before serving. 

Kentucky Bourbon Whipped Cream

1 cup cold heavy cream

¼ cup granulated sugar

splash of vanilla

1 Tbsp Bourbon

Using a mixer, beat the cream on low, then medium until thickened.  Fold in 1 Tbsp of good bourbon to taste.

Use fresh mint to garnish.  Enjoy.

Single Pie Crust
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tbs  shortening
5 Tablespoons of cold water (may not use all of the liquid)

Add sugar and salt to the flour, mix with a fork. Cut in butter and shortening into the flour mixture using a mixer or pastry blender. Be gentle.  Slowly add liquid until dough forms.  Wrap dough tightly in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes to let dough relax.  Roll dough to 1/4-1/8 inch thick and fill a pie plate.  Crimp edges.  Fill pie.

MY FAVORITES- affiliate link

The Pie Drip Catcher...my very favorite! Saves my oven every time.

Kentucky Hot Brown Bites

Karri Perry Blue Ribbon Kitchen

1 bag of mini sliced baguettes (24-36 count)

***

1/2 block of cream cheese-softened

½ cup shredded sharp Vermont white cheddar (Cracker Barrel Brand)

¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 seeded small tomato – diced small

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp nutmeg

¼ cup cooked-crispy chopped bacon (Apple wood smoked) (about 3-4 slices)

¼ cup chopped mesquite or smoked turkey deli lunch meat (about 4 slices)

Pecorino Romano cheese for topping

8-10 cherry tomato slices for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy clean up, set aside.

Place baguette slices on baking sheet, set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, white cheddar, Parmesan, salt, and nutmeg.  Mix until combined.  Fold in chopped turkey, bacon and diced tomatoes.

Place about 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto each baguette.

Place a cherry tomato slice onto each bite and sprinkle all the bites with a generous shaving or Pecorino Romano cheese.

Bake on middle oven rack at 350 degrees for 10-14 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the tops begin to brown.

Remove from oven, plate and serve.

The Kentucky Hot Brown mixture can be made up to 1 day in advance, and kept sealed in the refrigerator until ready to make for easy entertaining.

Race Day Mint Julep Iced Tea

Mint Simple Syrup

1 cup of water

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup fresh mint leaves.

Bring water, sugar and mint leaves to a boil in a small sauce pan, boil for one minute.  Turn off the heat and let the mint leaves steep for 40 minutes.  Allow syrup to cool, remove mint leaves. Store syrup in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Brew 1 pot of tea, 4 cups- use 4-5 tea bags (Orange Pekoe and Black Tea)  Let cool.

In a pitcher filled with crushed ice, add 8-10 fresh mint leaves.  Bruise the leaves gently with a wooden spoon against the ice to express the mint oils.

Add 4-5 fresh lemon slices.

Pour the cooled brewed tea over the ice.

Add the mint simple syrup and a splash of bourbon to taste.