Kentucky Derby fare~

I don't know what it is about the Kentucky Derby; after all it lasts all of 2 minutes yet the party goes on all day and most of the night.  That means a lot of food is flowing in households that watch from a- far as well as in the state of Kentucky.  (I think even the Queen watches because she is an avid horse lover.) Excitement is in the air and food is being produced in many households.  Cook's Corner has provided many Derby Day recipes and I am giving you the chocolate-Bourbon pecan pie recipe.  But first here is a delicious looking bean salad from The English Kitchen.
  

This is A delicious and perky salad that is filled with lots of flavors and textures. It is served at room temperature so a buffet table is perfect for this recipe.  Tomatoes do not do well in the refrigerator any way,so these jewels make perfect fare for a long drawn out event. 

3 TBS olive oil

2 banana shallots, peeled and finely diced

1 large clove of garlic, peeled and minced

1 1/2 TBS fresh lemon juice

1 tsp caster sugar

1 TBS basil flakes

1 tsp dry parsley flakes

fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/2 pound each yellow and red cherry tomatoes, halved

1  tin of white beans, drained and rinsed (15 ounce)

1 TBS chopped fresh flat leaf parsley to garnish 

Whisk the olive oil, diced shallots, crushed garlic, lemon juice, basil, parsley and seasoning together in a bowl.   Tip in the beans and halved tomatoes.   Toss to coat.  Let stand for at least half an hour for flavors to infuse. Scatter with fresh parsley and serve.

Chocolate-Bourbon pecan pie

1 unbaked pie crust
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon
4 eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
2 teaspoons cornmeal
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
Heat oven to325. Put the crust in a 9  inch pie dish.  sprinkle nuts and chocolate evenly onto bottom of pie crust; set aside.
Combine corn syrup, sugar, brown sugar and bourbon in a large saucepan, bring to boil over medium heat. Cook stirring constantly for 3 minutes.  Remove from heat.
Whisk together eggs, butter, cornmeal, vanilla and salt.  Gradually whisk about a quarter of the hot sugar mix into egg mixture whisking constantly so it does not scramble the eggs. Pour filling in prepared pie crust. Bake for 50 minutes or until filling is set.

If you are betting.  I hope your horse wins.



Closet Cooking had this delicious taco picture on today and it reminds me of our fare this evening.  Mike is 55 today and we are going with Mexican friends to a restaurant to celebrate Mike's birthday.  I hope they have a dish that looks as good as this one.  I will let you know how this Mexican restaurant is. Alegria's Seafood was a delightful surprise.  It is new, clean and really well run.  The food was delicious and plentiful.  The service was outstanding.  It is located on Bethel Road.