When the beginning of May finally arives,we look forward to watching the Kentucky Derby. We celebrate at our Vermont inn  with pre race hor d’oeuvres & a complimentary Mint julep served in a sliver tumbler. The guests gather in front of a large flat screen for viewing & place a friendly wager. None of chose the winner but we we had a great time enjoying all of the tradition & colorful hats that are part of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

We created a few new items our guest to enjoy with their mint julep. A creamy spinach & artichoke dip served with crispy pita wedges was a new addition to the cocktail food assortment. A platter of  miniature cheddar cheese biscuits with Virginia ham & maple mustard

paid homage to its southern roots. We northerners like a good biscuits too!

Part of our hor d’oeuvre selection included some lovely cheese from a  new cheese maker in our town. Spoonwood Cabin Creamery makes hand crafted style  European  cheeses with pride & care. We offered our guests a selection of semi soft & triple creme , one of which was soft disk called devotion.  You could certainly taste the devotion that went into creating every creamy mouthful. Spoonwood is open on the weekends for tastings & even has a small lunch menu to enjoy with a nice assortment of wines.

Our dinner included a southern favorite Shrimp Etouffee served over a bed of brown rice.Dessert was a luscious Derby Pie. It is a Pecan Pie with Bourbon, Bittersweet chocolate chips & rather than dark corn syrup I used dark maple syrup.Baked until golden mahogany color & served with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. We could barely trot ourselves over to club sugar shack for a dance.

Quick & Easy Biscuits

2 cups white flour

1 Tbs. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbs. sugar

1/3 cup butter

1  cup buttermilk

1/4 cup grated cheddar

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, sugar, & salt. Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

Add the buttermilk & grated cheddar until the dough comes together.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface.Knead it until the dough for a few minutes.

Pat down to to 2 inches thick. Cut biscuits with a small biscuit cutter.

Place on a ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake  10 ~12 minutes in a preheated 425 oven until edges turn brown.