Chef Pete from Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace is here with ideas for your Kentucky Derby party.
The Story of the Hot Brown
In the 1920's, the Brown Hotel drew over 1,200 guests each evening for its dinner dance. By the wee hours of the morning, guests would grow weary of dancing and make their way to the restaurant for a bite to eat. Sensing their desire for something more glamorous than traditional ham and eggs, Chef Fred Schmidt set out to create something new to tempt his guests' palates. His unique dish? An open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and a delicate Mornay sauce. The Hot Brown was born!
The Hot Brown—a Louisville tradition with worldwide appeal—has been featured in Southern Living, The Los Angeles Times, NBC's Today Show, ABC News with Diane Sawyer, Travel Channel's Man v. Food, and The Wall Street Journal, and is a regular entry in many of the world’s finest cookbooks.
The Legendary Hot Brown
Makes 2 Servings
1 ½ TBSP Salted Butter
1 ½ TBSP All-Purpose Flour
1 ½ Cups Heavy Cream
¼ Cup Romano cheese, plus extra for garnish
Pinch Ground Nutmeg
To Taste Salt and pepper
14 oz. Thick Sliced Roasted Turkey Breast
4 Slices Texas Toast (Crusts Trimmed)
4 slices Bacon, Cooked Crisp
2 Roma Tomatoes, Sliced in Half
To Garnish Paprika
To Garnish Parsley, Chopped
Kentucky Burgoo
Serves about 8 to 10
Kentucky Burgoo is a very traditional hearty stew with a multi-meat combination and
¼ Cup Vegetable Oil
2 Lbs Pork Butt, Cut Into 1” Pieces
2 Lbs Beef Sirloin Butt, Cut into 1” Pieces
2 Lbs Chicken Legs & Thighs, Boneless, Skin on, Cut in 2” Pieces
1 Cup Green Bell Pepper, Diced ½”
2 Cups Sweet Onion, Diced 1”
1 Cup Carrots, Diced ½”
1 Cup Celery, Diced ½”
2 TBSP Garlic, Chopped
1 Quart Chicken Broth
1 Quart Beef Broth
2 Cups Crushed Tomatoes
3 Cups Red Skin Potatoes, Diced 1”
2 Cups Fresh Corn Kernals
2 Cups Lima Beans (Frozen or Cooked)
1 Cup Okra, Cut in ½” Segments
To Taste Salt and pepper
1/3 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
Nino’s Pulled BBQ Pork
Makes about 2 ½ Lbs or enough for 16 small sandwiches
For Derby Day, in honor of Kentucky’s state beverage (BOURBON!), you can substitute ½ Cup of Bourbon in place of the water. Its make this recipe even more delicious!
2 Lbs Pork Butt Boneless, cubed 1"
1 Cup Vidalia Onion, peeled, small diced
2 TBSP Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp Jalapeno, finely chopped
1 TBSP Vegetable Oil
1 ½ Cups BBQ Sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's)
½ Cup Bourbon (Or Water)
½ TBSP Black Pepper, ground
¼ Cup BBQ Sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's)
½ tsp Reese's Hickory Flavored Liquid Smoke
Honey Mustard Style Cole Slaw
Serves 6
Another one of my delicious cole slaw recipes made from 1 package of Nino's Cole Slaw Mix. The honey roasted sesame sticks are a great addition to this slaw giving it a crunchy texture.
1 pkg. Nino's Cole Slaw Cabbage Mix
1 cup Nino's Spicy Honey Mustard Dressing
1⁄2 cup Carrots, Julienned
1⁄4 cup Green Onions, Sliced Finely on Bias
1⁄3 cup Golden Raisins
1⁄2 cup Honey Roasted Sesame Sticks
Kentucky (Run for the Roses) Pie
Makes 1 – 9” pie
Made famous by Kentucky’s Melrose Inn is which trade marked and carefully guards the name “Derby Pie” for its own recipe, this version is “remarkably” similar. It’s THE traditional Kentucky dessert and often served with sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
½ Cup All-purpose Flour
1Cup Granulated Sugar
2 Extra Large Eggs, Beaten
½ Cup Butter, Melted
2 TBSP Kentucky Bourbon
1 Cup Walnuts Pieces
1 ¼ Cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
Pinch Kosher Salt
1 9” pie Shell (Unbaked)
Traditional Southern Corn Bread with Whole Corn
Makes 1 - 9” x 13” casserole dish. Serves 8 persons.
2 Cups Yellow Cornmeal
2 Cups All-purpose Flour
½ Cup Granulated Sugar
¼ Cup Honey
½ tsp Salt
2 TBSP Baking Powder
2 Extra Large Eggs
1 Cup Butter, Melted
3 ½ Cups Buttermilk
1 Cup Sweet Corn Kernels, Pulsed in Food Processor
Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps
Woodford Reserve is THE official Bourbon of The Kentucky Derby and The Mint Julip the traditional Derby Day cocktail.
It’s a southern ritual crafted from bourbon, simple syrup and mint.
2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
3 Fresh Mint Leaves
As Needed Crushed Ice
Kentucky Bourbon Balls
Makes about 2 dozen balls
Bourbon balls are more of a sweet confection than a dessert. Their Bourbon accented butter cream filling with pecans and chocolate are a southern favorite.
1 – 16 oz Package Powdered Sugar
1/3 Cup Kentucky Bourbon
¼ Cup Salted Butter, Softened
24 Pecan Halves (about 1 ¼ Cups)
2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Coating
2 TBSP Vegetable Oil
Mint Julep Gelées
Makes about 18 cubes
2 Envelopes Unflavored Gelatin
2 Cups Water
½ Cup Packed Mint Leaves
½ Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Cup Kentucky Bourbon
As desired Garnishes:
Fresh Mint Sprigs
Coarse Sparkling Sugar