Talk Derby to Me, Again

It has been dubbed the most exciting two minutes in sports, and it happens every year on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The Kentucky Derby, is horseracing’s most beloved event and is steeped in 142 years of tradition - handsome horses, colorful silks, fancy hats, bourbon, roses and mouthwatering southern food - all create the Derby experience.

But you don’t have to make the trip to Louisville to enjoy the race. Celebrate the occasion at home in true Derby style with these essentials:

The Hat - is the pièce de résistance to your party attire, and the bigger it is the better. Create your own from a simple beach bonnet. Adorn with a big, colorful ribbon and attach large silk flowers with a hot glue gun.

The Décor - take your cue from the Derby’s moniker, Run for the Roses. Arrange red roses in silver trophy or julep cups.

The Race - so you think you’ve got what it takes to pick the winner, visit kentuckyderby.com to place your bet from home.

The Beverage - the Mint Julep is the iconic drink of the Kentucky Derby, consisting of bourbon and a simple mint syrup served over ice. 

For those who are not bourbon drinkers, try my fruity, vodka-based Mint Rulep at the end of this post.  

The Fare - think Southern-inspired foods like country ham and biscuits, cheesy grits, beef brisket, and bourbon-chocolate pecan pie.

The Mint Rulep - mix up a pitcher or two an hour or so ahead of time, chill and you’ll be ready to pour when guests arrive. 

  

1 cup vodka
1 ½ cups pomegranate juice
1 ½ cups ruby red juice
3 cups cranberry juice
Fresh mint sprigs for garnish

In a large pitcher, combine vodka and juices. Serve in individual glasses over ice. Garnish with mint sprigs. 

On to the Preakness and Belmont Stakes!

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

It’s Oaks Day and Derby Eve - and I can’t wait to celebrate Kentucky Derby 142 tomorrow with my friends and family. Tomorrow also happens to be my birthday, so it’s double the fun during the Run for the Roses - just like the first time I went to the Derby back in 1988. Yes, I was a mere teenager.

So… today I am doing all of those things I do the day before the party, like baking these scrumptious Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pies (thank you Southern Living for the best recipe).

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Makes 6-8 servings

½ (14.1 ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
1 ½ cups chopped toasted pecans
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup dark corn syrup
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
¼ cup bourbon or water
4 large eggs
¼ cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons plain white cornmeal
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon table salt

Heat oven to 325 F. Fit pie crust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp. Sprinkle pecan and chocolate evenly onto bottom of pie crust.

Stir together corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk one-fourth of hot corn syrup mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot corn syrup mixture, whisking constantly. Pour filling into prepared pie crust.

Bake for 55 minutes or until set; cool pie completely on a wire rack (about one hour).

Happy Race Day!

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

Plant pansy pots - check. Scrub patio - check. Set up patio furniture - check. Fire up the grill - check, check, check. This gorgeous past weekend gave us an opportunity to get a jump start on our spring yard work, and of course, grilling season!

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and sauteed veggies on a bed of brown rice

Kick start your barbecue with this sweet and savory marinade for Teriyaki Chicken. Add a heaping helping of sautéed veggies and a side of rice and you’re good to go.

Steamy, sauteed veggies - snow peas, shredded carrots, broccoli, water chestnuts and red bell pepper.

Teriyaki Marinade
¼ cup lite soy sauce
1 cup water
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
5 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1-2 tablespoons honey

Minced chives for garnish

In a small bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 

Pour over chicken and allow to marinate for two to three hours. Grill and serve with sauteed veggies over brown rice and sprinkle with chives.

Make it a great week!

Discover the small town charm of Tecumseh, Mich

Need an excuse to break up with your weekend routine? Head 35 miles northwest of Toledo to the quaint town of Tecumseh, Michigan. The town’s hub is easily accessible -it’s situated right on M-50 or Chicago Boulevard as it is known locally. There you’ll find charming eateries; boutiques; antiques shops; a winery, brewery, bakery, and ice cream parlor; and a history museum all within walking distance of each other plus hiking and outdoor adventure nearby.

Antiques shops are abundant in Tecumseh.

Upon arrival, visit Lev’s Bakery, a Tecumseh institution. Rumor has it that their donuts and soft, German pretzels (only available on Saturdays) are all the rage, but get there early in the day to indulge as they sell out quickly.

A stroll along the boulevard reveals a plethora of shops, eateries and small businesses.

A stroll along the boulevard provides a healthy dose of shopping opportunities. Visit Antiques & Vintage on the Boulevard and Hathaway Antique Emporium to scout out treasures from the past. For unique gifts, peruse the floral arrangements, candles, linens and home décor pieces at the DG II gift shop. Into hobbies? Browse the thousands of plastic kits, train sets, die cast cars, and accessories offered at J-Bar Hobbies.

The Boulevard Market

The sign at The Boulevard Market says it all – wine, chocolate, cheese. Owners John and Erika Aylward craft their own cheeses with fresh local milk and create chocolates using Sicilian chocolate-making techniques. 

The market also carries specialty foods and offers the best selection of boutique wines in the area. If you feel like staying in Tecumseh longer than just the day, reservations and $89 will get you an overnight stay in one of the three hotel rooms located on the second floor of the market.

Wines, chocolates and cheeses are available at The Boulevard Market.

Speaking of wine, Tecumseh boasts not one - but two wineries. Pentamere Winery is an urban venue and tasting room right in the heart of downtown, and J. Trees Cellars is an industrial-farmhouse style tasting room housed in the historic Hayden-Ford Mill, a short drive from downtown.

Evans Street Station

When you are ready for a bite to eat, the options are abundant. Enjoy a relaxing lunch of farm-to-table fare at Evans Street Station. Check into The Dog House for an all-beef hot dog embellished with one of their creative combos like the Junkyard Dog and the Frito Pie Dog, or design your own. 

Sample the many craft beer varieties along with a cheeseburger and tots at Tecumseh Brewery. For soups, salads and sandwiches with a side of espresso, look no further than The Daily Grind.

Tecumseh Area Historical Museum

After lunch, visit the Tecumseh Area Historical Museum, located in a former church, and learn how the community has developed since it was first settled in Lenawee County in 1824.

Indian Crossing Trails Park

Up for a little outdoor recreation? Drive a mile or so east of downtown on M-50. Indian Crossing Trails Park is a 130-acre park with several walking paths. The one-mile main trail winds along River Raisin. 

For a bit of adventure, visit the adjacent Satterthwaite Park where kayaks, paddleboards, canoes and row boats can be rented from the Tecumseh Paddling Company beginning on weekends in May.

Peruse the many antiques for sale in Tecumseh.

With so much to offer, Tecumseh’s inviting personality and close proximity to the Toledo area will beckon you to make a return trip, or two.

In the Scone Zone

Not long ago, I took a little excursion up to Detroit to visit Sister Pie bakery and get some shots for a column I was working on. While there, I was just enamored by the unique combinations of ingredients used in their muffins, scones, cakes and pies. Ingredients like kale, parsnips, radishes and leeks – ingredients I would have never thought about adding to baked goods.

Intrigued by this, I asked the owner how she came up with such incredible combinations. She told me that you just have to have a good, basic recipe, and then you add what’s in season. “It comes naturally after a while,” she added.

With that inspiration in mind, I decided to try my hand at scones. Now, I do realize that cheddar cheese and chives are not exactly unusual ingredients; however, having never made scones before, I thought the cheddar and chives would be a great addition to the basic scone recipe that I found in a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. Here is how I made them.

Cheddar and Chive Scones
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons chilled butter
2 tablespoons chives, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 beaten egg
½ cup half-and-half
1 tablespoon half-and-half

Heat oven to 400 F. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. With a pastry blender or fork, cut in butter. Lightly stir in cheese and chives. Combine egg and ½ cup half-and-half; add to dry mixture. Stir just until moistened.

Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead 10-12 strokes – don’t overdo it. Pat dough into a circle, about ½ inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges. Place scones 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush tops with 1 tablespoon half-and-half. Bake for 12 – 14 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Enjoy warm.

Here’s to coming up with new and unique combinations!