Confession: I don’t think I’ve ever actually watched the Kentucky Derby. However, I’ve attended a few Kentucky Derby parties haha! I’ll take any excuse to dress up, wear a cute hat, drink a cocktail, and snack on some good eats. Duh! This year I planned a Regal Kentucky Derby Party Menu that looks super fancy but was so easy to pull off!
My party menu is a little bit royal, a little bit southern, and a whole lot of yummy. I also made my own version of a mint julep – using Rosemary and Bourbon instead of Mint. So good! I basically took Valerie Bertinellie’s recipe for Rosemary Gin Fiz and swapped the Gin for Bourbon.
Although my Derby knowledge is very limited I have heard of past winner “American Pharoah”. Naturally, I made a salad in his honor – an Herby American Farro Salad. It’s a light salad, packed with fresh flavor from herbs and vegetables, and a speedy thing to put together – it has all the great qualities of a racing horse š
For a regal touch, I added three different types of tea sandwiches to the menu; Smoked Salmon, cucumber and herb cream cheese, and egg salad sandwiches. I love adding a variety to the table – something for everyone and all are super easy to make!
For the smoked salmon I simply used the same recipe I used in the Phyllo Cups for my Easter Brunch Menu. I also used the same deviled egg recipe for the sandwiches. I just added the egg whites into the mixture. And for the cucumber sandwiches I just mixed cream cheese with fresh herbs (chives, parsley, and basil) along with a bit of garlic salt. Added the mixture to the bread and topped with cucumber slices.
Of course, any Kentucky Derby party has to have Pimento Cheese, right? A Southern staple and my goodness is it tasty! I used Damaris Phillips recipe and just served it alongside crackers, celery, and endive.
What’s a party without dessert, right?! And this may be the best dessert ever! A Bourbon Caramel Creme Brulee! It’s so good! And I can’t take an ounce for credit for this recipe! I used Ashley Bowden’s of the Pedantic Foodie’s recipe. This recipe was absolutely perfect! There is no sense in trying to mess with it! So yum!
If you throw a Derby Party, let me know what you plan on making! Cheers and good luck party planning! And racing š
Hello, my name isĀ Autumn, a working mom who has a passion for being in the kitchen. I love how food brings us together, shapes who we are and helps cultivate our identity.Ā I hope you will follow along with me through my seasons of discovery in the kitchenĀ and find a little inspiration of your own. Cheers! xoxo
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