Happy Derby Day

It's finally Derby Day.  I can't think of too many places in the world that have a three-week long party for an event that lasts two minutes.  All week long, I've read countless articles online about what people can do to have their own ultimate Derby experience - what foods and drinks to have at their Derby party, what to wear, how to decorate, etc.  Take it from a person born and raised in the Derby City - those writers have it all wrong.  Let's take a look at what the "experts" say about Derby and then what Puddin has to say.

In the Kentucky Kitchen

There are a few born-and-bred-in-Kentucky dishes that you'll see on every Derby party menu. The first is Henry Bain sauce. It was named after its inventor, who was the head waiter at Louisville's Pendennis Club. Bain made the sauce in 1881 as an accompaniment to wild game, and it's been a Louisville tradition ever since. A sweet, tangy, spicy concoction, this sauce is best served with beef tenderloin.

Another cornerstone of Louisville cuisine is the Hot Brown sandwich. Created by the chef of the Brown Hotel, this open-faced sandwich consists of two slices of toast topped with juicy roast turkey, tomato slices, crispy bacon and a blanket of Cheddar-Parmesan cheese sauce. The sandwich is then broiled until the cheese sauce turns golden brown.

From Louisville's Benedict Hotel comes the Benedictine, a cucumber canapé spread.

Those dishes are all well and good, and even though they were invented here in Louisville, they don't make for fun food at a Derby party. Go to any backyard or garage Derby party today and you'll find the staple of any Derby party, the hot dog.  Who doesn't love hot dogs?  Even if you've just had a big meal before you go to a Derby party, you still have room for a hot dog when you arrive.  You'll also find another local party favorite, spinach dip.  For Derby, most hostesses will go the extra mile and will hollow out a round loaf of dark pumperknickel bread and will fill it up with the spinach dip.   And I have to confess that I've never seen Benedictine sandwiches at any Derby party that I've attended.  Nor do I know anyone who would serve it at a Derby party, nor any other party for that matter.  You'll also find a Crock Pot full of cheese queso at most Derby parties. Cheese dip is another big favorite.

Derby Desserts

Dessert on Derby day can only be one thing: a rich, dense chocolate-nut pie flavored with Kentucky bourbon. The original version of this pie is trademarked and fiercely protected by its inventors, but there are several unofficial versions of it: Run for the Roses Pie, Eighth Race Pie, Thoroughbred Pie and Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie.

You can always count on at least one version of the Derby Pie on the food tables at Derby parties.  Truthfully, not many people like it.  Here in Louisville, we prefer plain old pecan pie like Grandma used to make.  The favorite Derby party dessert is without a doubt homemade brownies.  The fudgier and nuttier the better.  Brownies are another Derby party staple.  Lemon squares are also a popular party dessert here in the South.  But honestly, not many people eat desserts at Derby parties; they're too full of hot dogs and cheese dip.

Derby Drinks

There is only one proper drink to have at a Kentucky Derby party, and that's a mint julep. A traditional mint julep is made with bourbon, muddled mint leaves and sugar, finely crushed ice and a generous sprig of mint for garnish. Almost every state in the South claims to have invented it. The time-honored way to serve a julep is in a frosty silver goblet, but you can use whatever festive cups you like. An extra-nice touch is to trim straws so they just slightly stick out of the cup. When guests sip from the short straws, their noses will be close to the refreshing mint garnish.

I think it's safe to assume that the "Derby expert" that wrote that has never tasted a mint julip before. They're nasty, and a waste of good Kentucky bourbon.  Ask any Derby party goer and they'll tell you that ice cold Bud Light is their Derby drink of choice.  But if you're dead set on having Kentucky bourbon, pour a little over some ice and sip it.  If you must mix, pour a little in an ice-filled glass of Coke, another great Southern drink.  Or just drink an ice cold Coke by itself - there's nothing better to wash down a hot dog.  I'm not sure about the tradition of trimming down the drinking straws - that's the first I've heard of that.  But there is another Derby straw drinking tradition, however: the hat that holds two cans (or bottles).  There's a think rubber tube that goes into the can or bottle and it hangs down by your mouth so you can have easy access to your Derby beverages.  You probably won't see one of these at a Derby party, but you'll see them at the track. 

Don't Forget your Derby Hat

The Derby hat is as longstanding and important a tradition as the Kentucky Derby itself. Almost everyone at the race or any Derby party will be wearing a spectacular hat, whether costly and custom-designed or made at home with a glue gun and imagination. Ask your Derby day guests to come wearing Derby hats, and offer prizes for the most ornate, the most stylish, the most creative and the most bizarre.

I really have to disagree with the "Derby expert" on this one.  What host or hostess in their right mind would put a glue gun in the hands of their Derby party guests who have been drinking?  Or give a glue gun to someone who's not been drinking, for that matter?  Some of the worst burns I've ever seen are a result of a glue gun.  Usually, only the rich or Snooty McSnoot people wear the big fancy hats to the Derby; almost everyone else will wear a ball cap or a straw cowboy hat.  Or they'll be wearing the above mentioned drinking hat.