Last year the In-Laws attended the Kentucky Derby for their 50th wedding anniversary. All of the kids pooled resources and put a trip together for them to celebrate, including tickets to the Taste of the Derby which I wrote about in the last post.
Since The Hubs was in charge of actually purchasing the tickets, we get emails from Churchill Downs regularly. I usually ignore them, but this one certainly got my attention:
Churchill Downs Announces Official Menu of 142nd Kentucky Derby
Chef’s Appetizers*Black and Blue Salad (Heirloom spinach, chicory, blackberry, blue cheese, toasted pecan)Garden Salad of Petit Lettuce Gems (An array of baby lettuces, lemon poppy seed dressing)
Watermelon Radish Salad (Arugula, almond and mint with Riesling vinaigrette)
Chef’s SidesGreen Beans (Louisville sorghum and bourbon smoked sesame seeds)Bourbon Pickled Peaches
Chef’s Entrees
Shrimp and Grits (Louisville smoked grits and tasso gravy)Roasted Chicken Breast (Moonshine spiked raisin sauce)
New York Strip Loin (Truffle sea salt crust)
*Smoked Turkey & Brie (Apple butter on rosemary bread)
Chef’s Desserts
Blackberry Cobbler with Lemon-Rosemary Biscuit TopWhite and Dark Chocolate Verrine
Warm Chocolate Crepes, Bourbon Ball Ice Cream & Caramel Pecan Sauce
Bourbon Crème Brulee Tart
Doesn’t this sound delicious?
Since it might be our 50th anniversary before we get to attend the Derby, I decided to make us a special treat inspired by this official menu. All of the above dishes were most worthy for duplicating, but I went perhaps the easy route and wanted to make the Black and Blue Salad with the Turkey & Brie Sandwiches.
Eliot’s Eats Official Stay-at-Home Watch Party Menu for the 142nd Kentucky Derby
Black and Blue (and Red) Salad
Turkey & Brie Sandwiches on Rosemary Bread with Apple Butter
Today I will post my salad recipe based on what those fortunate ones will be noshing on this Saturday in Louisville.
Black and Blue and Red Salad
by Eliot’s Eats5 oz. fresh spinach
1/2 c. crumbled blue cheese
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
6 oz. fresh blackberries
Red wine vinaigrette (see recipe below)
1/4 c. toasted pecans, optionalWash spinach and dry well. Place spinach in serving bowl and arrange blue cheese, red onions and blackberries on top. Toss with vinaigrette and garnish with pecans on top.
You can use whatever vinaigrette you like. I like the tang of this Red Wine Vinaigrette.
Red Wine Vinaigrette
by Eliot’s Eats2 T. red-wine vinegar
2 t. Dijon mustard
1/2 T. Honey
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
sea salt and fresh ground pepper , to tasteIn a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
As you can see, no toasted pecans made it to the top of the salad. Dinner was running late and all my pecans were frozen. 🙁
Stay tuned for my next post as I tackle that Smoked Turkey & Brie Sandwich with Apple butter on Rosemary Bread.
Do you have your bet picked out yet?
I am also linking up to Deb’s Souper Sunday (with Salads and Sammies included).
Comments & Replies
15 responses to “Black and Blue and Red Salad”
Salad is always my first choice, esp. when involves blue cheese :-))
Yes, ma’am!
Since I grew up in Louisville, I’ve been to the Derby many times. Not only is Derby Day great, but the festivities during the whole week are a blast. It’s all a great time with gorgeous hats, beautiful horses and delicious food, esp. Burgoo! Love that salad, it’s unique with the BB, blue cheese combo!
I just heard a story on NPR how The Oaks used to be just for the locals and how some in town are a little peeved that the masses are coming to this and Therby! 🙂 Thanks for the comment. One day, I am sure The Hubs and I will experience the Derby.
Sounds scrumptious! I love being inspired by stuff like that!
Sometimes when I get in a slump, all I need to do is read menus. 🙂
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That menu is fantastic! I love your salad and sandwiches. You could do the linkup at Deb in Hawaii, she has that link open for soup, salad and sammies until tomorrow. I am hooking up later today
I will do that. Thanks for mentioning it!
So great that you are sending them and that you are “playing along at home!” 😉 This salad looks amazing. There is something about a berry and strongly-flavored cheese combination in a salad that lures me in every time.
Thanks for sharing with Souper Sundays too. (I think I’m going to have to start paying Tina because she is much better at reminding people about SS than I am. Hah!)
You are hilarious Deb!!
Tina keeps us all on our toes!!!
I’d be delighted with your menu!! This salad sounds fabulous—and I love your dressing, too.
Thanks, Liz.
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