Derby Fare Your Way

 The famed Kentucky Derby brings its' own special drinks and foods to the American table.What would a Derby party be without a cooling sip of min julips and tasty bites of hot browns and burgo.. Yet these can be redone to fit summer parties and everyday meals.It's just varying the classic recipes to fit your tastes

Mint juleps are di figeur for today's parties. It;s a simple drink first starting in the 17o00's an dusting Kentucky's most famous product - bourbon. The classic recipes involves making a simple syrup which is nothing more than granulated sugar and water cooked down in a sauce pan, and mixing freshly chopped mint leaves together. Pour as much  or as little bourbon as you like into this and add pebbled or crushed ice. For something slightly different use maple syrup instead of the simple syrup.This would be perfect for a late Sunday brunch because the maple flavor would pair well with French toast, waffles or pancakes. You could also create a cherry mint julep by subbing in Luxardo liqueur a cherry rich after dinner cordial.Another idea is a strawberry flavored one. Add minced or pureed strawberries to the sugar and mint , then the bourbon and ice. Chocolate and mint go hand in hand and you can easily sub in the mints leaves with chocolate mint to create a sweet dessert drink.

The foods of the Kentucky Derby can also be reimagined. The famed Louisville hot brown is a an open faced turkey sandwich topped with bacon and tomatoes. Mornay sauce is poured over it and the sandwich is broiled  for five minutes in a broiler. It's usually made like a casserole with it being cut into individual squares for single servings. You could turn the sandwich into a variation, Devonshire turkey which was created in Pennsylvania a few years after the Hot Browns. This is omitting  the Mornay sauce so it's more of a dryer , yet still tasty sandwich. The Mornay sauce can be subbed out for a creamier bechamel sauce and Canadian bacon can be used instead of regular bacon. Borgoo is another classic Kentucky dish.This stew is a variation of Brunswick stew and made with a melange of pork, beef and chicken along with potaotes carrots and tomatoes.Okra , green beans corm and a diced onion also are mixed in to give it more colro and taste. Barbecue sauce give it its; classic tang while apple cider vinegar gives it bite. It's usually made with garlic, bell peppers and celery  however you can omit these. For a more vegan version nix the meats and add kidney and pinto beans. Sub in vegetable broth instead of the standard chicken one too for a more vegetarian friendly dish.

Kentucky Derby treats can be served any time of the year not just the first Saturday of May. Try the julep variations .Make diufferent forms of Hot Browns and burgoo. They're all tasty.