Toast to the Derby
Kentucky Derby Menu
- Roasted Brown-Butter Pecans
- Spring-on-a-Plate Salads
- Assorted Vegetables with Whipped Lemon Aïoli
- Biscuits and Ham with Fig Chutney & Blue Cheese Butter
- Watercress Canapés
- Derby Truffles
- Mint Julep Bar
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Roasted Brown-Butter Pecans with Rosemary
Recipe: Roasted Brown-Butter Pecans with Rosemary
Make two batches of these salty but slightly sweet pecans if you have a large crowd. You can store them in an airtight container up to 3 days, or freeze up to 1 month.
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Spring-on-a-Plate Salads
Recipe: Spring-on-a-Plate Salads
Look for tender, fresh baby greens and microgreens at your local farmers’ market; they should be abundant this time of year. Soaking vegetables in ice water crisps them up.
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Whipped Lemon Aïoli
Recipe: Whipped Lemon Aïoli
Indulgent and lightly flavored, this dip is the perfect partner to colorful spring veggies such as green and purple endive; assorted radishes; and blanched, chilled asparagus and haricots verts (tiny green beans).
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Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits
Recipe: Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits
Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits with Figgy Port Chutney, Blue Cheese Butter, and Ginger Ale-Brown Sugar Smoked Ham make up this delectable Derby sandwich.
Three leavening ingredients—yeast, baking powder, and baking soda—ensure light biscuits every time.
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Watercress Canapés
Recipe: Watercress Canapés
Create color with cucumbers, yellow squash, candy-cane beets, salmon caviar, zucchini, herbs, radishes, sprouts, and other fresh finds.
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Derby Truffles
Recipe: Derby Truffles
These make-ahead gems are easy enough for casual get-togethers and fancy enough for special occasions.
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The Ultimate Julep Bar
Recipe: Derby Julep
Pair your Derby Julep with any of our flavored syrups to make it worthy of your finest pewter.
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What a Kentucky Bourbon Aficionado Drinks on Race Day
Recipe: Julian’s Old Fashioned
Julian Van Winkle, president of the legendary Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery in Frankfort, shares his go-to cocktail.