Kentucky Derby Round Up

It may be the fastest 2 minutes in sports, but you still have time to plan a little get together around the Kentucky Derby...it is Saturday, you know.  So gather some family and friends, a non-alcoholic Mint Julep, some traditional Southern cuisine, a fancy hat and some horseshoes.  Here are some easy recipes ideas to throw together for some Saturday afternoon fun.

Did you know that there have only been 38 fillies (that's horse talk for female horse) that have run in the Derby.  3 of those 38 have actually won!  Didn't know that there were so few fillies in the Derby.  Who knew?  I don't think there are any fillies in the race this year.  Let me know if I am wrong because that would be my pick!  Girl Horse Power!  Since I don't think there are any fillies, make your choice out of the 20 male horses.  They all have unique names which have to be less than 18 letters.  I am just full of Kentucky Derby knowledge today.  Ha!  So make your pick and provide a fun menu.  Maybe even play some horseshoes while you are waiting for the race.  Here are some ideas for your menu.

Mint Julep Mocktail

Hot Brown Biscuit Sliders

Rustic Chocolate Pecan Pie

I think I got you covered from drinks, to the main dish and a dessert...sorry, you'll have to provide your own horseshoes.  Have fun on Saturday!  I'll be back tomorrow.  As we turn the calendar into May, there will be more Cinco de Mayo recipes and Mother's Day treats!

Thanks for stopping by!

If you don't want to miss any recipes,

make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox!

You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected!

Everything is just over there on the right!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

You may also like:

Grapefruit Poppy Seed Mini Muffins

Cajun Snack Mix

Wonton Snacks

Chicken Empanadas

Like St. Patrick's Day, when everyone celebrates whether they are Irish or not...

everyone likes a good fiesta!  Check out these easy Cinco de Mayo inspired empanadas!

Chicken Empanadas start with a prepared pie crust.  Then you fill each with a cheesy chicken combo sure to spin your sombrero!

The pastry is light and flaky!

The insides of each empanada are cheesy and just right for dipping in some salsa!

adapted from Paula Deen

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked chicken

4 ounces  Colby cheese, shredded

4 ounces  Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

4 ounces of plain cream cheese

1/4 cup red pepper, chopped

1 teaspoon cumin

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

1 package refrigerated pie crusts

water

1 egg, beaten

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, shredded cheeses, plain cream cheese and chopped red pepper.  Once combined, add the cumin, salt and pepper.  Unroll pie crusts onto a lightly floured surface.

Cut out round circles using a small circle cookie cutter or just use a small glass.  Place 1 heaping teaspoon of chicken mixture onto the center of each circle.  Use your finger and water to lightly brush the edge of each circle.  Fold the dough over to form a half circle.  Press the edges together and then use a fork to seal.  Repeat this process with each pie crust circle.  Place each empanada onto a cookie sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes.  While baking, whisk an egg.  After the empanadas have completed their baking time, remove from oven and brush with egg mixture.  Return to oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until golden brown.

Chicken Empanadas printable recipe

Time to get your fiesta on with these Chicken Empanadas!

Start to finish...done in 30 minutes!  Now that is something to celebrate!

There is so much going on around here.  Kentucky Derby inspired recipes, Cinco de Mayo recipes and Mother's Day treats...you better stick around.  Go back and take a gander at other posts.  And, tune in everyday because there is a whole lot of celebrating going on around here!

If you don't want to miss any recipes,

make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox!

You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected!

Everything is just over there on the right!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up with my favorite bloggers!

Featured On

You may also like:

Easy Home-made Guacamole

Taco Boats

Quesadilla Pie

Mint Julep Mocktail

When you host a party for friends and family, it's always fun to have a special cocktail for the event;  something to go along with the theme of the party.  And, it doesn't always have to be an alcoholic drink.  Just a fun, signature mocktail for the evening!  So, if you are planning a get together to watch the Kentucky Derby, the drink of the evening should be a Southern one.

Mint Julep Mocktails are fizzy and lemony.

Such a refreshing non-alcoholic drink that is refreshing with all the fresh mint!

Just perfect for sipping on while watching the horses!

Yep, it's Southern too!

Mint Julep Mocktails would really be good on a warm summer day.

Anytime you want something refreshing and alcohol free.

adapted from Taste of Home April/May 2007

Ingredients:

2 cups cold water

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup lemon juice

6-8 sprigs of fresh mint

5 cups ice cubes

2 cups ginger ale

lemon slices and mint for garnishing

Directions:

In a large bowl, pour in the cold water.  Add the granulated sugar, lemon juice and fresh mint.  Let stand on the counter for 45 minutes.  Remove the mint leaves.  Pour mixture into a pitcher.  Place in the ice cubes and then the ginger ale.

Place a slice of lemon and sprig of mint in each glass before serving.

Mint Julep Mocktail printable recipe

Now you are ready to party Kentucky Derby style!

If you don't want to miss any recipes,

make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox!

You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected!

Everything is just over there on the right!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up with my favorite bloggers!

You may also like:

Non-Alcoholic Raspberry Punch

Coffee Floats

Frozen Coconut Lemonade Slush

Key Lime Cupcakes

Well hi there friend!

I hope you had a great weekend!

I got to spend Sunday celebrating my dad's birthday.  He turned 82!

My sister hosted a wonderful pasta bar.  My dad even brought along the album my sister had put together when he turned 70.  Oh my gosh!  Such fun looking through pictures of when he was stationed in Germany, fun times with my mom, pictures of my sister and I and, of course, the grandkids.  What a blessed life and I hope I can look and feel as good at 82 as my dad!  All that reminiscing made me feel like pulling out a favorite recipe from the past.  So, for today's Memory Lane Monday, I chose a sweet, tropical treat.

Aren't you glad this is what I chose?

Key Lime Cupcakes are incredibly moist.  Each cupcake is topped with a key lime flavor icing that ties it all together.  Come on...let's bring on Summer!

Just looking at these Key Lime Cupcakes makes me feel an ocean breeze blowing through my hair!  Yes, it was actually the furnace blowing...I live in Chicago...summer breezes won't be here yet, but I do what I gotta do to feel warm.  :)

Anyhow, where ever you live, these cupcakes are little tropical goodies!

Ingredients for cupcakes:

1 box white cake mix

1 3oz box of lime jello

1 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup water

4 eggs

1/3 cup key lime juice

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

Ingredients for key lime cream cheese icing:

1 stick unsalted butter

8 oz of cream cheese

3 Tbsp key lime juice

2 cups powdered sugar

graham cracker crumbs and key lime wedges for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Sprinkle a spoonful of graham cracker crumbs into bottom of each liner. In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, lime jello, vegetable oil, water, eggs and key lime juice.  Beat for 30 seconds on high.  Then, blend on medium speed for 2 minutes.  Pour into cupcake liners, about 2/3 full.  Bake 15-18 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.

For icing, blend all ingredients together.  Frost cupcakes when cool and sprinkle on a bit of the graham cracker crumbs.  Place a key lime wedge on top.

Key Lime Cupcakes printable recipe

Thanks for taking a trip down Memory Lane with me.  Next time, I should probably have you bring sunscreen.  You know, for all that sunshine and tropical feel!

If you don't want to miss any recipes,

make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox!

You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected!

Everything is just over there on the right!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up with my favorite bloggers!

Featured On:

You may also like my Sweet and Savory Tropical Treats Pinterest Board!  I'd love for you to follow along!

Follow A Sprinkle of This and That's board Tropical Treats Sweet and Savory on Pinterest.

Rustic Chocolate Pecan Pie

Have you made your picks for the Kentucky Derby?

I have been investigating all the thoroughbreds to make an intelligent choice.

And, I got nothing...I am going to just make my picks based on how cool the name sounds.  I am kind of leaning toward Itsaknockout because Ithasafunname!  Ha!

Far Right sounds interesting.  Maybe that horse likes to run on the outside lane?  Hey, that sounded very race smart!  Who knows?  Just fun to watch and have some treats for the event.

Yesterday, I shared an easy recipe for Hot Brown Biscuit Sliders.  Today is a dessert for your Kentucky Derby Party.  You know how I love desserts!  Here you go...

Perfect for the Kentucky Derby!

Rustic Chocolate Pecan Pie is a dessert straight out of the South.

Served in individual ramekins, so you get your own little rustic pie all for yourself!

Each ramekin is lined with a pie crust that is then filled with a delicious chocolate pecan filling.

Served warm with a little dollop of whip cream and some chocolate syrup.

Holy Cow!  It was hard to put down that spoon to take the picture.  Soooo scrumdiddlyumptious!  Hey, that would make a great name for a race horse, no?  Maybe I should just stick with baking....

adapted from Trisha Yearwood @ Food Network

Ingredients:

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup chopped pecans, divided

1/4 cup melted butter

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 Tbsp flour

1 sleeve prepared pie crust

chocolate syrup, whip cream and mint leaves for decorating

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, cream brown sugar, sugar and egg.  Stir in 1/2 cup pecans, melted butter, chocolate chips and flour.  Divide pie crust dough into 4.  (shape doesn't matter...that's what makes it rustic)

Place a piece of pie crust into each ungreased ramekin.  Spoon the sugar/pecan mixture into each pie crust lined ramekin.

Top with the remaining pecans.  Bake at 325 degrees for 28-30 minutes.  Remove and cool slightly.  Drizzle with chocolate syrup.  Add a dollop of whip cream and a sprig of mint.  Serve.

Rustic Chocolate Pecan Pie printable recipe

Did I tell you how yummy these Rustic Chocolate Pecan Pies are?  Oh, I think I did, but just in case...YUMMY!

If you don't want to miss any recipes,

make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox!

You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected!

Everything is just over there on the right!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up with my favorite bloggers!

Featured On:

You may also like:

Bitty Baklava Bites

Oatmeal Cookie Pie

Symphony Brownie Pie

Kentucky Derby Hot Brown Biscuit Sliders

One week from today will be the most exciting 2 minutes in sports!

What is it?  The Kentucky Derby, of course.

Although, I do have to say there have been some Blackhawk games that have pretty exciting during the last moments of the game.  But, we are talking horses.  Do I attend horse races?  No.  Do I like riding horses?  Not really.  Do I like all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the derby?  Absolutely!

The fashion, food, mint juleps oh, and the horses.  Kind of a fun event.

I came across some really fun sites to help you get your Kentucky Derby on.  I have attached the links at the bottom of the post so you too can play around with finding a hat to wear to the event and even a test that will tell you what kind of hat you should be wearing...just in case you plan on attending.  :)  Even if you are just watching it at home, it would be so fun to have a little party.

So, from now until the event, make sure to drop by because I will be sharing some Kentucky Derby inspired recipes you will want to have at your party.

Today, let's focus on a savory Kentucky Derby inspired recipe.

Hot Browns are a tradition at the derby and these Kentucky Derby Hot Brown Biscuit Sliders are a delicious variation.  A Hot Brown is composed of slices of turkey and a slice of tomato covered in a Mornay Sauce.  The whole thing is then topped with crispy strips of bacon.  I like to serve my version on a biscuit to really give it that Southern flair.  But, you can use any bread.  Just serve it open faced and you are good to go.

Such an easy way to get into the spirit of the race.

It's really more about assembly and topping it off with the Mornay Sauce...which make it fancy Kentucky Derby Style.

Ingredients:

1 package of 8 jumbo biscuits

1/2 lb turkey lunch meat

1-2 beef steak tomatoes

1 package of bacon strips

green onions

Mornay Sauce

Directions:

Cook 1 package of  jumbo biscuits according to package directions.  Slice beef steak tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices.  

Cook bacon strips until nice and crispy.  To assemble, slice each biscuit in half.  Place each biscuit half on a cookie sheet.  Top each biscuit in this order:  turkey meat, tomato and Mornay Sauce.  Place under broiler for 3-5 minutes or until Mornay sauce begins to bubble.  Remove from oven and place cooked bacon strips on top with a few sprinkle of green onions.  Serve warm.

Mornay Sauce ingredients:

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup flour

1 cup milk

1/3 cup fresh Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Mornay Sauce directions:

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Once melted, add flour.  As that becomes a paste, stir in the milk and the Parmesan cheese.  Continue to stir until thickened.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Reserve for use on Hot Brown.

Kentucky Derby Hot Brown Biscuit Sliders

Place your bets on this savory Kentucky Derby inspired dish.

I know it'll be a winner.

Oh, as promised, check out these fun sites to get yourself fancy for the race!

The Derby Hatterizer and Which Kentucky Derby Hat are you?

I took the quiz and found out I am fanciful and fascinating.

I'd love to hear which Kentucky Derby Hat style you are!  Make sure to leave me a comment so we can party Kentucky Derby style virtually!

Pssst...rumor has it there will be a sweet Kentucky Derby dessert tomorrow.  Might want to check back or follow me on social media because every good party needs a dessert!

If you don't want to miss any recipes,

make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox!

You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected!

Everything is just over there on the right!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up with my favorite bloggers!

Follow A Sprinkle of This and That's board Off to the Races on Pinterest.

Coconut Bread Pudding Blossoms

If you haven't noticed by now, I have a fondness for desserts.  

I know, you are shocked by my revelation!  :)  

I do love desserts, especially when they are mini.  There is just something about a sweet little treat that gets my heart aflutter!  The presentation is adorable and most of the time, one little treat satisfies my craving.  And, I do like to celebrate the little things that make life sweet!  Get it?

Today's recipe is no exception.  It's a jazzed up bread pudding perfect for this time of year.

I love experimenting with different variations of bread pudding (so does the hubby).  

Coconut Bread Pudding Blossoms have a sweet coconut flavor.  They are then topped with a pool of chocolate and some toasted coconut.  Loving that tropical vibe!

Ingredients:

1 loaf of French bread cut into 1 inch cubes

2 eggs

3/4 cup cream of coconut

1 cup coconut milk

nonstick spray

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1/4 cup milk

1 cup chocolate chips

3/4 cup toasted coconut

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray.  In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream of coconut and coconut milk.  Divide French bread cubes among the muffin cups.  Press down.  Pour the custard mixture on top of the bread cubes.  Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes.  Remove from oven.  Cool 15-20 minutes before removing each bread pudding from muffin cups.   Let cool on a wire rack.  In a small saucepan over medium low heat, melt butter. 

Add milk and chocolate chips.  Stir until chocolate has melted.  Let cool for 5-10 minutes.  Pour chocolate into the center of the Coconut Bread Pudding to create a blossom.  Sprinkle of toasted coconut.

Coconut Bread Pudding Blossoms printable recipe

Soft and tender on the inside with a light coconut flavor, all topped with melted chocolate and toasted coconut!  They are even small enough to get a bite of all three star ingredients at one time!  YUM!

One of the best parts of making a bread pudding is that it is soooo easy!  Just a few ingredients to make an impressive dessert.

My dream is to have a bakery that I could fill with all kinds of little treats, just like this one!

What's your dream?

If you don't want to miss any recipes,

make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox!

You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected!

Everything is just over there on the right!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Christine

Linking up with some fabulous bloggers!

Featured On:

Tatertots & Jello

You may also like:

Mini Baked Banana Coconut Donuts

Easy Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

Lemon Scones