Kentucky Derby Party Recipes
Amy
Nothing says Kentucky Derby like a spread of bold, Southern-inspired flavors that bring everyone together.
From zesty, herb-infused mains to decadent desserts that hint of bourbon and caramel, these dishes are as vibrant as the Derby itself.
Sandwich Ingredients
- 8 to 10 slices sourdough sandwich bread
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 scarlet turnip or watermelon radish, thinly sliced
- 5 small red radishes, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup chopped chives and/or a few microgreens for garnish
Sunflower Dill Spread
- 1¼ cup hulled sunflower seeds
- 1 cup water
- 1 clove garlic
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
Make the Sunflower dill spread: In a blender, combine the sunflower seeds, water, garlic, lemon juice, rice vinegar, salt, and a generous pinch of pepper. Blend until smooth. Add the dill and blend until just combined. You want the dill flecks to incorporate, but you don’t want the puree to turn green. Chill until ready to use. Stir before using.
Assemble the sandwiches with a thin layer of the sunflower spread, followed by overlapping rows of the sliced cucumber, turnip and radishes (see photo). Gently press the vegetables down onto the bread to ensure that they will hold together. Use a sharp chef’s knife to slice off the crusts and then slice the sandwiches in half into rectangles. Garnish with chives and/or microgreens.
Keyword bourbon dishes, Kentucky Derby, mint julep, party food, Southern recipes