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.

Celebrating St David's Day

 March first was Saint David 's Day , patron saint of Wales. it was definitely a time to celebrate teh rich and flavorful foods of this ancient land whose proper name is Cymru. It is a varied table celebrating the land and sea of this amazing country.

The leek is the symbol of Cymru and it is a versatile green. Its at its best pairing with potatoes in a rich soup. Cawn Cnnin (the Welsh name) easy to make and great for the still cold days ahead. Unlike the french version vichyoisse, this had the tasty addition of Canadian bacon. The bacon and leeks are cooked forst with the leeks being fried in the bacon fat first.Chicken broth is added along with cut up potatoes that are mashed into the soup. A cup of milk is added for creaminess. Another hearty meal is  the Welsh onion cake made with Caerphilly cheese. Caerphilly is made in the town of the same name and is a rich , crumbly fromage. The cheese is baked on top of the sliced potatoes and onions and then flipped over to be served. it's sort of like scalloped potatoes  with a creamy, cheesy bottom. Of course mashed potatoes figure in another dish that also features boiled leeks  hard boiled eggs and cheese sauce. wyau ynis mon has half and half in it along with nutmeg for flavor.

Yes,Cymru or Wales, also has it's most famous dish - rarebit. This is a delicious mix of ale. cheddar and butter. As you melt the butter warm the ale in abnother saucepan over a low flame.  To thicken it whisk in three  and a half tabkespoons of flour. Combine together and add cheese and Worcester sauce along with english mustard powder. Spoon over  thich slices of toasted  sourdough bread. Another Saint David's day treat that can be baked all year round is  an English muffin like scone called picau ar y maen. They're made from flour lard, currents and eggs and cooked on a griddle. This gives them a crispy exterior while having a melty inside. Usually suagr is sprinkled on top but you could als serve  with a fat pat of butter. Bara brith ro welsh tea cak loaf is another tasty baked tret.It's  a spiced loaf bread that can go well slathered with butter and served with hot tea. Mixed dried fruit is also added to it as well

Welsh food is a flavorful and robust cuisine, much like the countyr itself. Try the cuisine of Cymru and enjoy the flavor of rich cheeses and tasty cakes.  These are the flavors of a brave country with brave people.

Cereal Killers

I hate to put the buzz kill on these last few summer days but school is just around the corner. Now moms across the US should be thinking of what to feed their young first thing in the morning. For a smarter kid, think about nixing the quickie cupcake and soda along with the heavily sweetened cereals.

What makes good breakfast? Something that's going to stick to your kids' ribs and keep them alert for most of the day. Try oatmeal with dried fruit such as blueberries or cranberries. Also oatmeal and fresh cut apples are another good day starter. Cereal is fine so long as it's not the ones that are like ninety per cent sugar. Give Junior Cheerios or Rice Krispies to start off with. If you have the time to cook in the morning, then whip up some pancakes or eggs or both. having a hearty breakfast with these along with any breakfast meat (like Canadian bacon, bacon or sausages)a cup of tea and a glass of juice is going to make everyone feel more alive and awake, ready to do battle with whatever comes that day. Also think about bagels or English muffins or even making these into breakfast sandwiches. At least you know your family won't be eating the grease laden kind from the local fast food joint.


Unfortunately I was never and still am not a big breakfast person. My first meal comes at lunch. I wish it could be different but it's hard for me to eat anything before the prime meridian. Horrible but true.

Just think I might have been a great food writer if I only had my breakfasts before 10 AM.