Last week, we were between holidays and events. This week, we double up with the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2nd, and then Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday, May 5th. But first …
…GARDEN UPDATE
We have sprouts! They came up surprisingly fast and we are psyched!
THE KENTUCKY DERBY
We love to watch the Triple Crown, starting this week with the Kentucky Derby. Kevin tends to make his picks by looking at the odds. Roy chooses them if he likes the name or the human interest story (they all have one!). Over the years, Roy has done better picking the winners!
Here is a link for more information about this year’s Run for the Roses!
WIN, PLACE AND SHOW CARDS
Once we pick our favorites, we often pick a second trio, just for fun and to widen the chance of picking a winner. This year, we made up some very simple sheets to keep track of our choices. If you are hosting a Kentucky Derby party, have guests complete the forms. The winner could get roses or some lottery scratch tickets (we’ve used horseshoe-themed ones). Galloping fun!
A mint julep is the traditional drink for the Kentucky Derby. We’ve made this drink for previous derbies, and didn’t care for it. This year, we decided to take the major flavors of a mint julep, bourbon and mint, and go in a different direction by having Bourbon BBQ Pork and Minty Iced Tea (and maybe a couple of beers).
BBQ PORK WITH BOURBON AND CHIPOTLE SAUCE
You will need a 2.5 lb boneless pork loin roast; 2 tablespoons canola oil; 1 teaspoon each chile powder and garlic herb mix, combined; 1 bottle bourbon flavored BBQ sauce (we used Hak’s Chipolte Bourbon BBQ sauce); 1 small onion, chopped; 3/4 cup chicken broth and 3/4 cup roasted red peppers, diced.
Preheat oven to 350.
Heat canola oil in skillet at medium heat for 1 minute. Coat roast with chile powder and garlic herb mix combination. Brown roast in skillet 2 minutes on each side. Remove roast and place in casserole dish on top of roasted peppers. Brown chopped onions in skillet, deglaze pan with chicken broth and pour onion/broth mixture over pork roast in casserole dish. Top pork with 1/2 to 3/4 bottle of BBQ sauce. Cover and cook in the oven for 2 1/2 hours or until tender. If it starts to dry out while cooking, add more BBQ sauce. Serve with sides of your choice or shred for great BBQ pork sandwiches topped with your favorite cole slaw. DELICIOUS!
MINT ICED TEA Skip the hangover and enjoy this tea! We use Splenda instead of suger for this southern sweet tea recipe. Taste’s great!
http://www.food.com/recipe/iced-sweet-mint-tea-91292
SING IT!
My Old Kentucky Home, written by Stephen Foster in 1853, is the official song of the Kentucky Derby. It was designated as the Kentucky state song in 1928. Traditionally, the University of Louisville marching band plays it to open the derby every year. Source: About Travel
CINCO de MAYO
Ironically, Cinco de Mayo, which translates to the 5th of May, is celebrated more widely in the United States then it is in Mexico. May 5th has always been a special day, because it is Roy’s sister Lyn and her husband Billy’s wedding anniversary. We love Mexican food and celebrating, so we’re happy to double up on the party! Happy 40th Anniversary, Lyn and Billy!!!
Here is some basic info about Cinco De Mayo:
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/thehistoryofmexico/p/10cincodemayobasics.htm
A couple of food ideas for Cinco de Mayo:
JALAPENO BITES
A spicy appetizer from Mexico’s own Tricia Yearwood! (Actually, she is from Georgia but knows her way around a jalapeno, which she shows with this tasty appetizer.)
Our pre-baked version is pictured above. Sour cream made a cooling dip for the bites. Check out Trisha’s recipe in the link below:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/jalapeno-bites-recipe.html
MEXICAN PIZZA
We make the Mexican pizza’s shown at the top of this blog all the time. They are easy and healthier than the ones you get at fast food places.
Preheat oven to 350.
YOU WILL NEED:
1 package of whole wheat tortillas, one 16 oz can of pinto beans in medium spice chili sauce (we get ours at Target), 1/2 of a 16 oz can fat-free refried beans, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1 package of reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese. Toppings such as diced tomatoes, guacamole, chopped lettuce, pickled jalapeno slices, olives, green onions, taco sauce and sour cream.
HOW TO MAKE:
Place 4 tortillas on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake 5 minutes on each side.
In a small saucepan, combine both types of beans and cumin and heat thoroughly.
Remove tortillas from oven.
Top tortillas with bean mixture, leaving half-inch border on all sides.
Top with cheese.
Heat in oven for 5-7 minutes.
Garnish with toppings and enjoy!
This recipe has no meat, but you can add any meat you like. Just put cooked meat on top of the beans and cover cheese before baking. Hint: If there is any leftover Bourbon Chipotle BBQ Pork from Derby-Day, it would be great on this pizza!
HOLY GUACAMOLE!!!
According to the California Avocado Commission, American’s consume 81 million avocados during Cinco de Mayo celebrations! Pass the hot sauce! Source: mstarz.com
JOKE OF THE WEEK
What did the retired race horse say to the colt who just arrived at the stable? Welcome to the naaayyyborhood! Source: Roy Drew
Enjoy!
Roy & Kevin
Funclesarts 