High Steaks for Derby Day

In Louisville, the most exciting day of the year is the first Saturday in May--Kentucky Derby day. The city goes all out for the Run for the Roses with parades, hot-air balloon and steamboat races, air shows and the largest fireworks display around.

Food plays no small part in the celebration, and you can have your own derby day party with this bluegrass-inspired meal.

Don’t stint on the other kind of Kentucky spirit, Bourbon. A bracing mint julep will stretch out your enjoyment of the fastest two minutes in sports. Finish the meal with fresh strawberries and shortbread cookies.

Enjoy your day at the races.

Derby Steaks

Active Work Time: 5 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 20 minutes * Easy

Steaks similar to these used to be served at Churchill Downs, home of the derby. Serve with warmed rolls.

1 bunch watercress

3 tablespoons butter

2 cloves garlic

4 (8-ounce, 1-inch-thick) New York Strip steaks

Pepper, salt

* Wash watercress and cut off stems. Place watercress on large platter. Set aside.

* Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic. Sprinkle steaks with pepper and add to butter. Saute about 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or more to your liking. Remove steaks from heat and sprinkle with salt. Discard garlic. Serve atop platter of watercress.

4 servings. Each serving: 292 calories; 272 mg sodium; 127 mg cholesterol; 15 grams fat; 1 gram carbohydrates; 37 grams protein; 0.22 gram fiber.

Menu

Derby Steaks

Rolls

Strawberries

Shortbread Cookies

Run-for-the-Roses Mint Juleps

INGREDIENTS

Shopping List

Mint

Shortbread cookies

4 New York Strip steaks

Strawberries

Watercress

Staples

Bourbon

Butter

Garlic

Rolls

Sugar

Run-for-the-Roses Mint Juleps

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 10 minutes

2 tablespoons sugar

6 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint

1/4 cup cold water

Crushed or finely cracked ice

Kentucky Bourbon, to taste

4 straws (nonflexible), cut in half

4 mint sprigs, for garnish

* Place sugar and mint in a small bowl and mash with backside of spoon until mint leaves are crushed into paste, 2 to 3 minutes. Add water and mix well. Add 2 teaspoons mint syrup to each glass. Fill highball glasses to top with crushed ice and pour Bourbon over ice, filling to brim. Garnish each glass with 2 short straws and mint sprig.

4 servings. Each serving: 153 calories; 1 sodium; 0cholesterol; 0 fat; 6 grams carbohydrates; 0 protein; 0 fiber.

GAME PLAN

20 minutes before: Chop mint. Mash mint and sugar for juleps. Wash watercress. Peel garlic.

10 minutes before: Pepper steaks. Begin cooking steaks. Warm rolls in oven.

5 minutes before: Fill glasses with ice. Finish making juleps.

Just before serving: Place steaks atop watercress.

*

Plate from Saks Fifth Avenue home store, Pasadena.