The Derby season has officially begun and the races are off for that most coveted grand prize. Not only is this the biggest day in the world of equestrian sports, but it’s also the perfect excuse to gather some of your closest friends and drink bourbon all day long. Not that we really need an excuse for that anyway. Nothing brings together a crowd more than good booze and the comradery associated with a “watching party”. Recreating your own slice of Churchill Downs heaven is much easier than you may think, and with a little effort; your home or backyard will be transformed. Here are a few of my favorite Derby essentials.
BOURBON PORK SLIDERS
RECIPE:
3-4 lb pork shoulder
1 1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup bourbon
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1 onion thinly sliced
Coarse salt and ground black pepper
Rosemary corn muffins for serving
METHOD:
1. Place ingredients in a slow cooker and add the pork shoulder. Turn once to coat each side thoroughly. Cook on high for an hour. Reduce heat to low and cook an additional 6-7 hours.
2. Remove the pork shoulder from the slow cooker and place on a large platter. Shred with two forks until completely separated. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and cook for 45 minutes. Remove from heat and serve in a sliced corn muffin.
CLASSIC MINT JULEPS
RECIPE:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Bourbon
METHOD:
1. Make a mint infused simple syrup by combining sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir vigorously until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and place in a Mason jar with a handful of fresh mint sprigs. Allow to steep in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
2. Fill silver Julep cups or goblets with crushed ice and a few sprigs of fresh leaves. Using a muddler or a sturdy spoon crush ice and mint together. Add 1 oz simple syrup and 2 oz of straight bourbon, and stir rapidly until combined and a frost has appeared on the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
ROSEMARY CORN MUFFINS
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RECIPE:
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups yellow corn meal (self-rising)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
Non-stick cooking spray
METHOD:
1. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees and thoroughly coat a muffin tin or cast iron skillet with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
2. Beat eggs, add milk, mayo and chopped rosemary in a medium bowl. Gradually add the cornmeal, flour, and sugar, stir until smooth. The batter should be creamy and pourable. If the batter is not creamy add 1 – 2 tablespoons more milk.
3. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.
TIP: If making traditional cornbread in a cast iron skillet, pour batter into the prepared skillet and bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
CILANTRO-LIME JULEPS
RECIPE:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Sprigs of fresh cilantro
Juice of one lime
Crushed ice
Bourbon
Jalapenos, for garnish
METHOD:
1. Make a cilantro, lime infused simple syrup by combining sugar, lime, and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir vigorously until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and place in a Mason jar with a handful of fresh cilantro. Allow to steep in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
2. Fill silver Julep cups or goblets with crushed ice and a few sprigs of fresh cilantro. Using a muddler or a sturdy spoon crush ice and cilantro together. Add 1 oz simple syrup and 2 oz of straight bourbon, and stir rapidly until combined and a frost has appeared on the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sugar coated jalapeno.
HOST A DERBY PARTY
If you have space, set your up your Derby Day party outside. May is the perfect time to entertain outdoors in the South. The summer heat has yet to descend and the threat of a mosquito swarm is a couple weeks ahead. Keep the décor casual but with a refined elegance that oozes sophistication one might experience on a thoroughbred Kentucky farm. In keeping with a farm theme, I chose to have my Derby Viewing Party barn side. An oversize farm table surrounded by an assortment of seating seems right at home amongst the rolling pastureland. A wobbly, folk-art bench balances the rustic aesthetic with the more traditional rattan solarium chairs and red, herringbone armchairs.
An abundance of silver is a must at any “Run for the Roses” viewing party. So, for my tablescape, I incorporated as much silver as I could. When using silver pieces, I prefer to use a mixture of polished and unpolished pieces. Small serving trays are perfect for chargers and trophies for flower vessels. To add a masculine touch combine galvanized items with the silver. Here I used a water bucket to hold a large arrangement of Photinia Serratifolia. In lieu of traditional red roses, one might find on the winners stand, create your own combination of woody, natural cuttings that spill onto the table. Casual, yet refined elegance is the mood of the day. Southern gentility aside, if you’re lucky enough to be attending the race at Churchill Downs than I am more than a little envious of you.
