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Top 10 Kentucky Recipes for a Derby Celebration

By Diana Rattray, About.com

Here are some of my picks for a Derby Day celebration, including some great Kentucky favorites and traditional recipes.

1. The Hot Brown

These delicious turkey sandwiches are a Kentucky tradition. Serve them for a Derby luncheon, along with a wilted spinach salad or a light soup.

2. Chocolate - Pecan Pie with Bourbon Whipped Cream

Chocolate chip and pecan pies are a Louisville area favorite, especially around Kentucky Derby time. Serve this delicious pie with a dollop of Bourbon Whipped Cream or your favorite ice cream, and enjoy the races!

3. Kentucky Jam Cake

This delicious Kentucky cake is a spice cake made with the addition of blackberry jam and a cooked caramel frosting or cream cheese frosting.

4. Kentucky Mint Julep

It wouldn't be much of a Derby celebration without frosty mint juleps with bourbon and fresh mint leaves.

5. Grilled 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 & year round Louisville favorite with beef. This tenderloin recipe was shared by Nick Sundberg, a Kentucky Chef.

6. Sallye's Cheese Grits

Cheese grits are a favorite in Kentucky, as they are throughout the South.

7. Benedictine Dip or Spread

This spread can be used as a dip or a sandwich & canape ingredient. It was made popular at Louisville's Benedict's restaurant earlier in this century.

8. Kentucky Creamed Ham

Serve this tasty creamed ham over split biscuits, rice, grits, or in puff pastry shells.

9. Bourbon Pecan Cake

Kentucky bourbon makes this flavorful pecan cake spirited! Dust this tube cake with confectioners' sugar or make a vanilla glaze.

10. Bourbon Balls

An easy treat to make for guests. Good Kentucky bourbon gives them great flavor, expecially when you make them a few days ahead of time and give them time to age.

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