Start Your Kentucky Derby Party with a Mint Julep!

If you'll be watching the Derby broadcast on TV, why not add to the fun with a special Derby Day menu? Of course, no Derby party would be complete without the famous mint juleps! This video from Kentuckyderby.com shows exactly how to put one together.

For a printed version, there's a great mint julep recipe on Food Network by chef Emeril Lagasse, which includes the "simple syrup" that is an integral part of the recipe.

Here's the basic menu for my Kentucky Derby Party:

• Mint Juleps
  
• Barbequed Shrimp Appetizer
  
• Kentucky Barbequed Pork Chops
  
• French Rolls
  
• Potatoe Salad
  
• Cole Slaw
  
• Derby Pie

The barbequed pork chops are a Kentucky tradition. They use bone-in chops that are served on a bun -- a challenge to eat, but oh so yummy! Here's the recipe I'll be using: Kentucky Barbequed Pork Chops.

There are several variations of Derby Pie, but they're all versions of a chocolate-nut pie that's more like a chewy brownie in a pie crust! I use this recipe for Derby Pie.

You can get lots more great ideas for Derby Day entertaining at KentuckyDerby.com party central, here.

Have fun, and bon appetit!