Jen’s Cinco de Mayo Kentucky Derby Celebration

By Andrew Hunter

A few weeks back my cousin, Jenifer, posed a challenge: “Cinco de Mayo AND Derby Day on the same day?!? Might I beg...er, politely request, Andrew, that you post a few menu suggestions and recipes on Special Fork? Keep in mind, we don’t expect to be 100% sober on this magical day that honors both margaritas and mint juleps. :)”

So Jen, this one’s for you. No confusion or crazy fusion, just accommodation of both celebrations, side by side. Here are two of my favorite drinks and dips for your table this Saturday. Spiced Margaritas served with chips and Pineapple Pico de Gallo, and Mint Juleps served with Benedictine, crackers and crudités.

Spiced Margaritas
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1-1/2 cups tequila
1/4 cup Grand Marnier
1/4 cup lime juice
Ice cubes
2 limes, cut in wedges

Mix the sugar, kosher salt and chili powder in a small bowl or plate, and set aside.

Pour the tequila, Grand Marnier and lime juice into the jar of a blender with lots of ice. Blend until slushy.

Moisten the rim of each the glass with a lime wedge, dip the rims in the spice mixture to coat and pour in the margaritas. Garnish with lime wedges.

Makes about 8 drinks

To get the Spiced Margaritas recipe and shopping list on your smartphone (iPhone, BlackBerry, Android device) or PC, click here.

Pineapple Pico de Gallo
2 cups diced pineapple
2 tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
1 to 3 teaspoons minced jalapeño
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 to 3 teaspoons lime juice

Combine the ingredients in a medium bowl, mix well and serve with tortilla chips.

To get the recipe and shopping list on your smartphone (iPhone, BlackBerry, Android device) or PC, click here.

Mint Juleps
Mint Juleps are as important to the Derby as the horses themselves. Stir together 2 cups of water, 2 cups of sugar and several sprigs of mint to make simple syrup. Bring the syrup to a boil, remove from the heat, and allow it to steep. The syrup can be made a day or two in advance. Fill a tall glass with crushed ice; add a shot of bourbon, and two shots of simple syrup. Mix well with two straws and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Makes 4 servings

Benedictine Dip
Benedictine, a part of Kentucky’s culinary tradition, is a cucumber cream cheese that makes a great dip and spread. Peel, seed and purée a cucumber in a food processor. Place the pulp in a colander and gently press out the water. Place the cucumber back in the processor, add a small onion, a package (8 ounces) of cream cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until well combined and add a dash of green food coloring if you want to abide by tradition. Serve with crackers and crudités.

Special Fork is a recipe website for your smartphone and PC that solves the daily dinnertime dilemma: what to cook now! Our bloggers blog Monday through Friday to give you cooking inspiration. Check out our recipe database for quick ideas that take no more than 30 minutes of prep time. Join the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Related posts:

1. Mad for Mayo
2. Chocolate = Love
3. Umami Generation
4. Irish Potato Leek Soup
5. Kettle Corn Style Pistachios