Justify WINS the Kentucky Derby!
A 2Fer Trifecta
The Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo
This year’s calendar has married some interesting special dates and holidays. The first of such “2fers” was February 14th which brought us Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day. The second “2fer” was on April 1st with April Fools Day and Easter. Finally, May 5th – THE 2FER TRIFECTA – The Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo! Since these two days are a couple of my favorites, we just had to celebrate.
First, let’s learn a few things about Cinco de Mayo and The Kentucky Derby.
Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. (Many people mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican independence, which was declared more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla).
The Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the United States, dating back to 1875. The race has continuously produced “the most exciting two minutes in sport”, uninterrupted, even when coinciding with historical events like The Great Depression and World Wars I and II.
Here are a few facts to know about the Kentucky Derby:
- Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark was the Founder of the Kentucky Derby
- This race is one and 1/4 miles long.
- The last Triple Crown winner was American Pharoah in 2015.
- The three races in the Triple Crown are:
The Kentucky Derby, held on the first Saturday in May
The Preakness Stakes, held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, on the third Saturday in May,
and finally, The Belmont Stakes, held in June, 3 weeks after The Preakness. - The longest of the three races is the Belmont Stakes at 1 1/2 miles long.
- The last 10 winners of the Kentucky Derby are: Justify 2018, Always Dreaming 2017, NyQuist 2016, American Pharoah 2015, California Chrome 2014, Orb 2013, I’ll Have Another 2012, Animal Kingdom 2011, Super Saver 2010, Mine That Bird 2009 and Big Brown 2008.
- Since 1919 there have been 12 Triple Crown winners. 21 times a horse has won the first two races.
- Jockey, Eddie Arcaro won the Triple Crown twice. He won in 1941 on Whirlaway and again in 1948 on Citation. He is the only jockey to win multiple times.
- On average, 300,000 strawberries and 120,000 Mint Juleps are consumed at the Kentucky Derby.
Justify was the big winner in this year’s rainy race. He went on to win the Preakness in another day of terrible weather. Let’s hope for the Belmont Stakes to have equally bad weather and we might have another Triple Crown Winner!
WILL JUSTIFY COMPLETE THE TRIPLE CROWN SWEEP?
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Our spectacular guests brought delicious dishes for this festive affair and then we whipped up a few things to accompany their tasty offerings.
My Recipes For The Day
Karens Pepper Poppers
Equipment
- Jalapeño corer optional
Ingredients
- 8 large jalapeño peppers washed, cored and cut in half lengthwise
- 1 3-oz pkg cream cheese softened
- ½ cup finely shredded cheese Pepper Jack and/or Mexican blend
- ½ tsp Cajun seasoning or to taste
- 3-4 slices Bacon cooked, drained and finely chopped
Instructions
- If you don't have a jalapeño corer, cut jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove seeds and center membranesIn a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and Cajun seasoning. Mix until evenly combined. Mix in shredded cheeseStuff about 1½ teaspoons full of cream cheese mixture into each pepper half.Sprinkle with bacon pieces and place on wire rack in a shallow baking pan.Bake uncovered at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, depending on size of peppers.
Strawberry Bavarian Cream
Equipment
- Food Processor
- 14 small (⅓ cup) dessert dishes
Ingredients
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- ½ cup cold water
- 4 cups strawberries
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp non-fat dry milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Soften (bloom) gelatin by sprinkling it over cold water in a bowl. Place bowl over hot water in a small saucepan and stir until dissolved.
- Wash and hull the strawberries. (NOTE: Remove stems from strawberries after cleaning as excess water may be absorbed through the stem end).Puree berries, lemon juice and sugar, about 40 seconds in a food processor.Add the dissolved gelatin and combine about 5 seconds.Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl and chill, (about 6 minutes), to the consistency of unbeaten egg whites.
- While berries are chilling, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Slowly add the 3 tablespoons of sugar and continue beating until stiff.Fold into the strawberry mixture.
- Whip cream, dry milk and vanilla until stiff and gently fold into strawberry mixture.
- Pour into serving dishes or mold and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours for small dishes, longer if putting in a mold. May be made one day ahead.Serve garnished with whipped cream and strawberries.
Lisa's Chicken or Beef Fajitas
I have perfected this recipe over the years. My final tweak was to cook the flank steak in a Sous Vide before searing it on a hot grill. (Click here to learn more about this amazing technique). Squeezing fresh lime juice over the grilled and thinly sliced steak and fresh lemon juice over the sliced chicken takes this delicious dish over the top. ENJOY!
INGREDIENTS
Marinade
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, miced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 whole chicken breasts or
- 1 Flank Steak, 1 1/2 – 2 pounds
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cover and marinade chicken and/or beef, (separate containers), for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
- ***If using a Sous Vide: Set temperature to 135 degrees F for beef or for chicken, 146.3 degrees F. Seal meat in a vacuum seal bag and place in the sous vide when the water has come to temperature. Cook beef fo 2-4 hours, chicken for 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Drain and dry off meat before placing on hot grill. Give meats cooked in the sous vide a quick sear or cook beef and chicken until done to your desired temperature–when cooking chicken, use the juice of one lemon when you take it off the grill. For Steak: use the juice of one lime.
- Serve with tortillas, stir fried or grilled sweet onions, green peppers, salsa, sour cream, black olives, etc. (I add Anaheim, Jalapeño, red and yellow bell peppers to the mix).
Derby Mint Juleps
Ingredients
- 3-5 fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp mint syrup recipe follows
- crushed ice
- ¼ cup good Kentucky bourbon
- 1 fresh mint sprig for garnish
Mint Syrup
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1½ cups filtered water
- 15 fresh mint sprigs
Instructions
- Place mint leaves and syrup in a chilled cup and muddle. Pack cup tightly with crushed ice; add bourbon and mint sprig.
Mint Syrup
- Boil sugar and water, stirring often, 2-3 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add 15 mint sprigs. Cool completely. Cover and chill 24 hours.Strain syrup; discard solids.
Mint Julep Spritzer
Ingredients
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves packed
- 1 cup bourbon
- 2 10-oz bottles club soda chilled
- 6 cups crushed ice
- 8 fresh mint sprigs
Instructions
- Mix fresh lemon juice, sugar, and fresh mint leaves in small bowl until sugar dissolves; press on mint with back of spoon to crush lightly. Let stand 30 minutes.
- Strain mint and lemon mixture into pitcher. Mix in bourbon, then club soda and ice. Pour into 8 tall glasses.Garnish each drink with mint sprig.
Blood Orange Margaritas
Recipe from Chef Dean Fearing
INGREDIENTS
- 1 quart fresh blood orange juice (about 12 blood oranges)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice (about 12 limes)
- 1 1/2 cups Cointreau or other triple sec
- 3 1/2 cups silver tequila
- Kosher Salt
- 1 blood orange wedge, plus 12 thin blood orange slices
- Ice
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large pitcher, mix the blood orange juice with the lime juice, Cointreau and silver tequila. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes.
- Spread a small mound of salt on a small plate. Moisten the outer rim of 12 margarita or martini glasses with the orange wedge, then dip the rims into the salt to lightly coat.
- Add ice to the pitcher and stir well, then strain into the prepared glasses. Garnish each margarita with a blood orange slice.
Refrigerator Magnet Favors For Our Guests
For fun party favors, we set up a photo booth and took pictures of our guests as they arrived. While they watched the races, I printed the photos out on a color printer on regular paper. Finally, I trimmed the photos and ran them through a Xyron using magnet laminate combo. Easy to do and a fun memento!
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