After a long week of rain the sun finally decided to come out and just in time for our Kentucky Derby Party!!! We decided three weeks ago to host a Derby viewing party…which for me is pretty short notice. But, I quickly got my thoughts together and started to plan the essentials…Bourbon Bar, Mint Juleps, Meat (lots of meat), other yummy snacks and the decor. Luckily from my previous event planning days I have accumulated a nice stock of party/entertaining decor. Flowers for the bourbon bar were actually used in our wedding arbor. Below are more details and recipes for you to try!
DOUBLE PEANUT CLUSTERS
INGREDIENTS
1 2/3 cups or 10 oz. package of REESES PEANUT BUTTER CHIPS
1 Tbsp. SHORTENING (CRISCO)
2 cups SALTED COCKTAIL PEANUTS
MINI CUPCAKE LINERS
DIRECTIONS
PLACE PEANUT BUTTER CHIPS AND SHORTENING INTO A MICROWAVE SAFE BOWL
MICROWAVE ON HIGH FOR 1 1/2 minutes
STIR UNTIL CHIPS ARE FULLY MELTED AND MIXTURE IS SMOOTH
IF NEEDED ADD EXTRA 30 seconds
ADD PEANUTS TO MIXTURE AND STIR
STIR UNTIL PEANUTS ARE COVERED IN MIXTURE
FILL MINI CUPCAKE LINERS IN MINI CUPCAKE TRAY
PLACE CREAMY PEANUT NUT MIXTURE IN CUPCAKE LINERS
LET COOL AND SERVE
THESE ARE SO SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS
VENISON BOURBON MEATBALLS
INGREDIENTS
3/4 lb. GROUND VENISON
3/4 lb. GROUND PORK
1/2 cup of 1 SLEEVE OF FINELY GROUND RITZ CRACKERS or BREADCRUMBS (we used Ritz crackers)
1/2 cup FINELY CHOPPED ONION
1/2 teaspoon SALT
LOTS OF FRESH CRACKER PEPPER
1 EGG
2 TBSP OLIVE OIL (for browning the meatballs)
BOURBON SAUCE INGREDIENTS
1 jar APRICOT PRESERVES – roughly 1 cup
1/2 cup BROWN SUGAR
3 TBSP HOT CHILI SAUCE (use mild if needed)
1/2 cup BOURBON (add more for flavor as desired)
1/2 cup BARBECUE SAUCE
1/4 cup WATER
DIRECTIONS
SET OVEN TO 350
PUT ALL OF THE MEATBALL INGREDIENTS INTO A BOWL – EXCEPT THE OLIVE OIL
BREAK UP THE MEAT WITH YOUR HANDS AS YOU ADD INTO THE BOWL
MIX THOROUGHLY TOGETHER USING YOUR FINGERS
FORM 1″ BALLS – WE USED A COOKIE SCOOP TO HELP MAKE THE BALLS
HEAT UP THE OIL ON THE STOVE TOP
BROWN A BATCH OF MEATBALLS AT A TIME
PLACE BROWNED MEATBALLS ON COOKIE SHEET
PUT COOK SHEET IN OVEN UNTIL COOKED TROUGH
PLACE THE MEATBALLS IN THE SAUCE AND KEEP HEATED UNTIL READY TO SERVE
SAUCE DIRECTIONS
ADD ALL INGREDIENTS INTO A SKILLET
BRING TO A SIMMER
SIMMER FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL THICK
ADD MEATBALLS
SERVE WITH TOOTHPICK
{Recipe credit: theviewfromgreatisland.com}
THIS WAS A CROWD FAVORITE – HOPE YOU TRY THIS ONE!
TURKEY POPPERS
INGREDIENTS
MAKES ABOUT 30 POPPERS
1 PACKAGE BACON
1 TURKEY BREAST
BROWN SUGAR
SAINT LUCIFER – SUBSTITUTE CAYENNE IF NEEDED
DIRECTIONS
SET OVEN 375
CUT EACH PIECE OF BACON IN HALF
CUT TURKEY BREAST INTO CUBES
WRAP TURKEY CUBE IN BACON HALF
SECURE WITH TOOTHPICK
MIX BROWN SUGAR AND SAINT LUCIFER IN BOWL
DIP SECURED BACON WRAPPED INTO POWDER MIXTURE
COOK FOR 25 MINUTES
SERVE WARM
{Recipe credit: Dear friends of ours}
ANOTHER CROWD PLEASER!
