Tuesday, May 3, 2016

FOOD ART AND FAMILY TRADITIONS - CELEBRATING DERBY DAY IN FINE TRADITION

(Writing and photography by Sheila Gail Landgraf)



There are very few things in this life that never change, 
except perhaps, The Kentucky Derby.  In Kentucky; tradition is always tradition.
I take comfort in knowing this fact.  Tradition definitely finds a place in my soul.  

When something is right, you don’t tamper with it.  
You just leave it like it is for the world to love and cherish.   
The Kentucky Derby is one of those things.  
It is now going into it’s  142nd  year, and The Derby is ripe with  traditions.
Everyone loves the tradition of the Garland of Roses presented in the winner's circle.  This first happened in 1896 when winner Ben Brush received a floral arrangement of pink and white roses.  Everyone admires the beautiful twin spires designed by a drafter named Joseph Dominic Baldez who drew the blueprints for the grandstand at Churchill Downs.  Of course it is customary to drink mint juleps and there are a whole number of favorite Kentucky Derby recipes to draw from.  The Oaks and The Derby are the oldest continuously contested sporting event in history.  There are a lot of emotions that come forth from the crowd during the playing of the official song - "My Old Kentucky Home."  



Each year the people gather with excitement and anticipation for the festival events that happen before the race.  Most of these events are huge and are planned for and anticipated all year long.  On Kentucky Derby Eve, distinguished guest and celebrities assemble for a Gala Event known as "One of the 10 Best Parties In The World."   This party is held in the home of Patricia Barnstable Brown (better known as "Tricia"), and it is hosted jointly with her twin sister, Priscilla (better known as “Cyb”.)  

These two amazing hosts and twin sisters have led very interesting lives.   Most people remember them as the twins in the Wrigley’s chewing gum “Doublemint” commercials from back in the 1970s.     They both hail from the University of Kentucky, and Patricia once served as Miss Kentucky.  They also starred together in a short-lived run of a television show called “Quark.”
  
Every Derby Eve these two amazing ladies do a tremendous amount of fund raising for diabetes research, the terrible disease that actually took the life of Patricia's husband, though her fund raising efforts actually started long before that tragedy happened.  The party has evolved over the years into quite a family affair, with the two sisters hosting, but also joined by their Mom, "Willie", and Tricia's 33 year old attorney son, Chris.  Everyone seems to love Chris's suggestions for keeping the party fresh and vibrant each year.  Tickets start selling for around $1,000 each for this Gala and there are many very famous guests who attend.  

The Gala at Barnstable Brown isn’t the only party going on in the area around Chruchhill Downs during Derby week though.  There are numerous other events raising money for charities all over Louisville in the time leading up to Derby Week.  Some of the most well known events are:  The Taste of Derby (supports hunger relief organizations through the Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation), The Julep (supports cancer research), Night Of…One Race, One Winner, One Party (supports the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, Inc.),  Race For Grace (benefits The Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy), Silks In The Bluegrass (sponsors Operation Open Arms), Unbridled Eve (sponsors Blessings In A Backpack),  Brews, Bison and Bourbon For The Backside (benefits The Backside Learning Center).  

So you see, the Derby is not only fun and exciting, it is helpful to the world as a whole.  It is amazing how much money is raised by these charities in just one week because of the Derby.  


Wouldn't it be fun to be there the whole week before Derby Day and participate in the festivities leading up to the race?  You would not get bored while waiting for race day.  There are a million little things to do, like riding or racing hot air balloons and watching or racing steamboats.    

Definitely think of adding Kentucky Derby Week to "Things to Do" on your bucket list.  


In the meantime – if you can't make it to Kentucky, you can always have your own local party and catch the race on TV.  It would be fun to come up with some great ideas for celebrating with your friends and family.  Here are a few fun ideas and traditional recipes to try at your own gathering:  

1.  Design and mail out some handmade, artsy invitations, possibly using your own artwork or the art of one of your local artist on the cover.   The Derby has that tradition of supporting local charities, so why not support a few of your own? 

2.  Have an after the race gathering to watch the movie "Dreamer" and give out favors with quotes from the movie with those immortal words by John Gatins framed in small frames to your guests.   

  
I LOVE the poetic quality of those words so cleverly written for the movie; 

"You are a great champion. 

When you ran, the ground shook, the sky opened and mere mortals parted, 
Parted the way to victory, 
where you'll meet me in The Winner's Circle, 
and I'll place a blanket of flowers on your back.”   

Yes, the invitations could have beautiful local artwork, a painting of roses with horses in the background, and the inside left would contain this lovely quote.    Or maybe you have your own vision and creation of an imaginative invitation for your guest.  Go for it!


Of course, the time for your party would need to coincide with the time that the race is being broadcast in your local area.   


Be sure to add a footnote saying “please wear your best hat, and be prepared to wager a $25 bet.”  Give the "bet" money to your favorite local charity after the race.  Everyone can be a winner.



Please be all about the hats!  

Aren't they just the most fun?   
I found the hats pictured above at the Victoria Tea Room in Blue Ridge, TN.  We were on a trip to ride the train through the fall foliage with my parents at the time.  I think the white one with the gold bow would make a nice show for Derby Day.  
I should have bought it!
But don't worry - I'll find just the right one before the race, 
and so should you.  

My daughters were always fascinated by hats growing up.  I wish I had taken them to the Kentucky Derby at some point.  Maybe it isn't too late to plan for some day.  Here is one of my favorite photos of the hats I bought for our twins on their birthday when they turned a quarter of a century.  I bought these hats for them because I have such vivid and fond memories of them trying on hats everywhere they could be found as they grew up!  I would lose them in the stores and I always knew to check out the hat section first!  They would definitely make good candidates for hat wearers on Derby Day.

  



Okay, I'm getting sidetracked, so back to the vision of your Derby party......


 As the people arrive (wearing their best hats of course - possibly from the fabulous selection found at the local Gus Mayer) you would be playing mood appropriate music in the background.  A medley of race songs, maybe "The Soundtrack from Dreamer,” “Run For The Roses” by Dan Fogelberg, and the traditional song by Mr. Foster; "My Old Kentucky Home.” 


You might also think about incorporating  the sound track from "Secretariat," and for fun I would throw in  "Stewball Was A Racehorse" by Peter, Paul and Mary,  "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers, "Faster Horses" by Tom T. Hall and "Got Your Horse Right Here" from "Guys and Dolls."  


I could think of a million more if we had time, but you get the idea, the music will be great for creating the atmosphere we want here!  

"Run For The Roses" by Dan Fogelberg has always been one of my very favorite songs.  I lived in Kentucky for one year of my life, during my junior year of high school, and this song always brings technicolor memories of those days to my mind.  It was that famous year when Secretariat won the Triple Crown.  Ah....so nice to have been in that place in time and get to be a small part of such wonderful history!  I loved every moment and got all caught up in the excitement. 
All the more reason for this Derby party!  

Okay; I'll try to stop my journey down memory lane and get back to the vision for this party you might want to throw....  

When people cross the threshold of the door to the house (that will be decorated to remind them of Churchill Downs in as many ways as possible, including a horseshoe wreath on the front door),  they will immediately be handed their first Mint Julep of the evening, then they will be whisked away by an able assistant-host/helper to pose in their lovely hats for an individual photo memory keepsake that they will receive in the mail post-party, with another handmade card.  You might want to write personal notes in each card to express your thanks and memories of their attendance.

There could be a booth just past the foyer of your house resembling the twin spires as much as possible. (This will take a little creativity and work, but it will be worth the effort for the effects it would achieve.) There could be a book at this spot for each guest to sign, stating that they are posting a "wager" on the race.  They can indicate their favored horse when they sign the book.   Guests will be instructed to place $25 into a clear vase sitting on the table next to the book, where they will be pretending to be placing a wager on their favored horse.  They will also sign their name to a slip of paper next to the "till", fold it in half, and place it into another container for a drawing later.  The person who's name is drawn after the race is considered the "Winner" and they will get half of the money in the till.  The other half will be given to the person's favorite charity.  Not a bad prize! 

You could make a designated "Winner's Circle" table in the dining area.   The winner and their guest would be given a special place of honor at this table when the fine dining starts after the race is over. 

MENU/RECIPES/ORDER OF COURSES/TABLE SCAPE SPECIFICS 

Good primary colors to use in decorating the dining room would be black, white and red.  The tablecloths could be starched black linen.  The plates could be white, with gold rims.  The decor would be based around red roses.  The napkins would be folded in a "rose" pattern and placed on each plate.  Other serving dishes could be crystal and silver.  There might be a dinner plate only on the table, and each course could be brought on separate dishes, either crystal or silver, and placed on the plate (so the plates would not actually be used.)  This would make for ease in serving the courses.  Everyone could have their drinks refreshed and go into the dining area for the first course of salad. 

A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN'S MINT JULEP
(Have an open bar set up in the Living Room)
(These will be served as people enter and refreshed when needed throughout the evening in silver serving glasses, as that is traditional.  Find some fake ones at the party store if you don't want to get too expensive with all of this).
4 fresh mint leaves
1 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 jiggers bourbon whiskey
Coat the mint leaves with sugar and place  in a 12 ounce glass.
Fill the glass with crushed ice and whiskey. Stir until glass frosts.
Garnish top with mint sprig.

As people arrive and mingle in conversations about the upcoming event, you could serve appetizers.  It might be nice to use little serving tables scattered all around the house, covered in starchy black linen tablecloths for serving, as well as the naked furnishings in the main rooms (coffee tables, side tables and bars) displaying silver trays full of finger foods that will say "taste me."  Red roses could be placed strategically around the room.  Everyone could share the appetizers and lots of good conversation, and you could even have slide shows set up of some of the Kentucky Derby photos from the past, with little tidbits of history.  This would open the door to easy conversations for the shy and retiring of your group. 

Serve the salad for a first course before the race.  Below is a good recipe:

RACE DAY SPLIT-PEAR SALAD

Ingredients:  The amounts here depend on how many guest you are having. Chose perfect pears (one for each guest.)  Some Mixed Greens.  Some Arugula.  Some Pan Roasted Pecans (chopped).  Some Grapes, Some Golden Raisins, Some Craisins, Some Dried Cherries, Some Dried Figs, A Few Containers of Blue Cheese Crumbles, Some Slices of Prosciutto, A Jar of Fresh Honey, A Jar of Extra Light Olive Oil, Some Champagne Vinegar and Some Dijon Mustard.
Instructions:  Mix ½ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, 1/8thteaspoon Dijon Mustard to form  a vinaigrette topping.  Set aside for later.  Cook the prosciutto until crisp in a skillet.  Cool.  Take a ripe pear, turn it on it’s side and cut into rounds.  Use an apple core to remove the core, except for the top part, leave the stem attached.  Take a bowl and mix the greens, pecans, cheese and grapes.  Toss the greens in the dressing you set aside.  Use the arugula for garnishing on the plates.  Place the bottom of the pear on a plate (on top of the arugula bed) top this bottom layer with the salad mixture.  Add a piece of prosciutto over the salad and add the next pear part to the stack.  Continue to build up the pear in this way ending with the stem on top.  Cut one pear into slivers and fan several on a plate.  Garnish with grapes and a piece of prosciutto.  Drizzle with honey and serve cold.  This makes a beautiful presentation, but is not that complicated.  You can prepare ahead and refrigerate until time to serve.

After the Salad course, invite everyone to an area you have set up as the Media Room, where you will have the broadcast of the race set up with pay-for-view on a big screen. 


THE RACE IS ON!  CHEER FOR YOUR FAVORITE HORSE!!!!!!!!!!


After the fun and excitement of this event, draw for the winner of the earlier wagers.  After the winner is proclaimed, invite everyone back to the table for the main course of your meal, setting the winner and his guest at the special table set up as "The Winner's Circle."  Present them with their prize, announce their chosen charity, and enjoy the main course together.  


You could serve two options for the main course, Beef Tenderloin with Henry Bain Sauce, and Creamy Bourbon Chicken.  See the recipes below:

  



BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH HENRY BAIN SAUCE



(Henry Bain was the Head Waiter at Louisville's Pendennis Club. He created this sauce which became a Derby Day special.)

Ingredients:
  • 1 beef tenderloin

  • 1 cup Major Grey's chutney

  • 2 oz pickled walnuts, optional

  • 1 cup ketchup

  • 2/3 cup A-1 sauce

  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire

  • 3/4 cup Chili sauce

  • dash Tabasco
Preparation:
Grill tenderloin to desired temperature. Slice and serve hot or cold. Whisk chutney and walnuts in food processor. Mix in other ingredients. Serve at room temperature. Store in refrigerator.

(These will be served in large martini glasses, with the tenderloin slices placed artistically into the glasses and the Henry Bain Sauce drizzled over the top) 



CREAMY BOURBON CHICKEN

Ingredients:
  • 4 to 6 boneless chicken breast halves, skin removed, or about 3 to 4 pounds bone-in chicken pieces

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • salt and pepper, to taste

  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 green onions, chopped

  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup good bourbon

  • 1 cup heavy cream
Preparation:
Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper; lightly dust with flour. Set aside. In a large, heavy skillet over low heat, heat butter and olive oil. Add the chicken pieces and chopped scallions and saute, turning pieces frequently, until chicken is golden and tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. While the chicken cooks, baste with a few spoonfuls of the bourbon every few minutes, adding in very small amounts so liquid cooks off while the chicken cooks and does not accumulate in pan.  When the chicken is cooked through and golden, transfer to a warm platter.  Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet and saute, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes.  Add the heavy cream to the mushrooms and scrape loose any browned bits that may be stuck to the skillet. Simmer until the mixture is hot and starting to thicken. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to taste, then pour the sauce over the chicken. Serves 4, so plan according to your guest list. 

These could be prepared ahead, placed in the oven to keep warm during the race, and taken out just before serving and put into either silver or crystal serving plates, that would be taken to each individual guest at the table. 


After the main course you could  vote on who wore the best hat.  

This will take place a lot like musical chairs, with everyone parading around in their hats to appropriate music around the table until the music stops and everyone is given a paper to vote on their favorite hat.  These votes could be collected and tallied while dessert is being served.  

Here is a good dessert recipe:


KENTUCKY DERBY PIE

3/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons flour
3 eggs, beaten 
3/4 cups butter, melted
3 Tablespoons Bourbon Whiskey
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
3/4 cups chocolate chips, stir in
3/4 cups walnuts, chopped

Combine ingredients and pour into an unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.  The pies will be served hot with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side.

After dessert is enjoyed by all - announce the winner of the best hat contest.  The winner gets a special gift ordered especially for the party from The Kentucky Derby Gift Shop at Churchill Downs.  (Just go to their web-site and pick out one).

The laughter, interesting conversations and warm friendly faces will fill the room until it is time to go home.

To entertain your stay-over for the weekend guests after the main crowd has thinned out and gone home, pull out the movie "Dreamer" and relax together in the spirit of the day.  Order pizza in and kick back and enjoy your company.  Be sure to place one of the red roses on their bed before everyone turns in for the evening.  All Derby Days should end in roses.  It is tradition!

Well, that's my vision of a dream party for watching the Kentucky Derby at home.  If you decide to carry out my vision, please be sure to invite me to the event!


                                            Happy Derby Day!   

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