"If what people are telling us is true, that we haven't seen anything until we see Kentucky Derby Day, then we're going to be jammed and rocking." - Alan Horowitz

This year the Kentucky Derby fell on Cinco de Mayo.  Given B's and my shared love of Mexican food, my love of tequila, and B's love of whiskey (soon to be a newfound love of mint juleps), a Kentucky Derby party with a Cinco de Mayo twist seemed an obvious fit.

We were thrilled that our friends got into the theme and came decked out in their derby finest.

We even had a pool for "best derby attire"... and despite all those fab hats the ladies were sporting it was a two-way tie for winner between two of the guys (must have been the hat and the seer sucker suit)!

  

We also held a pool for the horses racing, and one lucky girl took home the entire pot!

The menu included corn salsa, guacamole, beef bbq, coleslaw, honeybaked ham, cheddar biscuits, applesauce muffins and assorted treats from our friends.

Here are the recipes, from my kitchen to yours:

Corn Salsa
6 ears of corn cooked and kernels stripped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small red onion chopped
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno chopped
2 limes zested and juiced
1 pt grape tomatoes chopped
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Toss all ingredients gently and refrigerate several hours (if not the night) before serving.  Best served with Tostitos scoops.

Guacamole

4 ripe avocados
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon)
3 dashes Tabasco
1/2 cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)
1 large garlic clove minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 medium tomato, seeded and small-diced

Cut avocado in 1/2, remove pits and scoop flesh into bowl.  Mash with a fork.  Immediately add all ingredients (taste for additional salt and pepper).

Beef BBQ (This is a dish my mom makes every time my family is back together.  Serve on potato buns with slaw, and you are guaranteed good eats and many laughs

3-4 pounds boneless chuck roast
2 medium onions
3/4 cup coke
1/2 tablespoons Worcester sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon beef bullion granules
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

Put roast and onions in crock pot.  Mix remainder of ingredients - set 1/2 cup mixture aside and add the rest to crock pot.  Cook until tender (approximately 3 hours).

In sauce pan mix 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 teaspoon butter, and remainder of mix.

When meat is done, shred and add mixture from sauce pan.

Coleslaw
2/3 head of cabbage
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup minced onion
3 tablespoons minced dill pickle
2 tablespoons pickle brine
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared white horseradish
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Whisk all ingredients in a medium bowl to blend.  Can be made 1 day ahead.  Keep chilled.

Little applesauce muffins

1/2 cup butter softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup applesauce
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 cup butter melted
1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon mixed

Cream softened butter and sugar in large bowl until fluffy.  Beat in egg one at a time.  Beat in applesauce.  Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add to butter/sugar/egg mixture.  Mix and stir until just moistened.  Spoon into 36 greased tea size muffin cups.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  While warm dip tops into melted butter and then into sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Can't wait until next year's Derby Party!