Kentucky Derby Menu

It's Derby Weekend, folks! Amy is our resident southern gal, but today I'm throwing a virtual Kentucky Derby party. Whether you're cheering on My Man Sam, Danzing Candy, or Whitmore, you're going to be a winner with this Derby Day menu.

Let's get cooking...and betting!
Erin

We're starting the party off right, with Amy's famous Mint Julep. Let's be honest, if the drinks are good, no one will really care what else is on the menu.

When you're having cocktails, you need Spiced Nuts. Make these ahead of time, then munch on them while you're supposed to be vacuuming.

Also, Deviled Eggs. Because everyone loves them. I mean, have you ever had leftover Deviled Eggs? I didn't think so.

Lightened-Up Curry Chicken Salad is next on my Derby Day menu. It feels classy enough for a horse race, but it's easy enough to prepare while you're holding a teething toddler on your hip. (Not that I know from personal experience or anything...)

Asparagus is in season. Which means in addition to being delicious, it's probably on sale. Let's guild the lily and wrap it with pork. Yes, folks, I'm talking about Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus Spears.

My mom makes the tastiest Butterscotch Cashew Bars, and they're requested at every church potluck. I think your Derby guests deserve to try them, too.

Because one dessert is never enough, we should serve Crock Pot Chocolate Cake, too. With a giant dollop of whipped cream, don't you think?

Erin's 2015 Christmas Menu

We do beef on Christmas. In Christmases past, we've made Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Shallots, Bacon, and Port. It's good stuff.

This year we're celebrating the holidays with the husband's family in Seattle. Now that we also live here in the Northwest, it's the first year that we get to sleep in our own beds and wake up to our own Christmas tree and still see family. We're pretty excited about it!

As I've mentioned a plethora of times, my mother in law is pretty much the best cook ever. I've learned so much from her! On Christmas, the husband will help her make a prime rib seasoned with a blizzard of salt and pepper, seared over high heat to form a crisp crust, and roasted in a low oven to buttery perfection. It's divine.

I'm in charge of some sides this year. On Christmas Eve I'm bringing my mom's Cheesy Potatoes to the extended family gathering. For Christmas dinner I'm contributing Potato Gratin with Smoked Cheddar Cheese. My MIL has made this one several times, and it's good. She said it's pretty easy if you use your food processor to slice the spuds. And it transports easily. I'll just bake it at home and we can re-heat it at her house.

Because there's never enough cookies on Christmas, I'm also bringing Cardamom Cookies. They have all the flavors of the holidays.

Thanksgiving Round-Up

The Thanksgiving countdown is on. Today I'm sharing my perfect Thanksgiving menu.

Let's get cooking!
Erin

Spiked Cider: Get the party started right with a holiday cocktail. Make a giant batch of Spiked Cider and keep it warm in your slow cooker so guests can help themselves.

Roast Turkey Breast with Gravy: I like to brine the bird to ensure it's moist and delicious. Roasting just the breast is easier and faster than roasting the whole, plus it takes up less room in your fridge and oven.

Mashed Potatoes: Prepare these babies the day before Thanksgiving and then bake them just before dinner.

Stuffing with Sausage & Cranberries: Stuffing is totally my favorite part of Thanksgiving. Salty sausage, crunchy pecans, sweet cranberries...this recipe has it all.

Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Maple syrup! Bacon!! I think that's all I need to say about this one.

Cranberry Sauce: I put this Cranberry Sauce on everything. And it's the perfect condiment for a leftover turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving.

Apple Pie: C'mon now. It's a classic.

Gooey Pumpkin Bars: Because one dessert is never enough on Thanksgiving.