Table Setting

You don't have to quit your job to set a nice table. This type of a party in my home, warrants a buffet. As I mentioned above, I have jockey hat table linens. To do a more cost effective table, for the color scheme, choose pink, and either a rose or burgundy. If you don't have a lace overlay tablecloth...buy yourself one..it will pay for itself in no time! I have two. One is white and the other is ecru. Today I'd use the ecru. The lace tablecloth will go over a pink one, which can be cloth, plastic or paper...no one will notice. If you like, you can scatter a few silk rose buds on the table, and fasten them in the lace. Choose a good, sturdy, burgundy plastic dinner size plate, pink plastic flatware and 2 sets of napkins ..one burgundy, one pink. For each guest, place a pink napkin down and a burgundy one on top so that they are facing you in a diamond shape. Place a knife and a fork at the left corner of the burgundy napkin and roll the napkins around the utensils. Tie with a thin piece of burgundy ribbon..the kind that curls. These I usually then, place in a basket at the end of the table, along side a stack of the dinner plates. For the center of the table, naturally a bouquet of roses...add baby's breath, if available.

Menu
Southern Fried Chicken and/or Honey Baked Ham
Cornbread and Jalapeno Dressing
Collard Greens and Rice
Biscuits
Annie's Pecan Pie & Fruit Salad

The chicken is easy enough. I always plan on 2 pieces per person, using thighs and breasts that have been quartered. So the number of pieces will depend on the guest list. For the chicken I use:

Nabisco cracker meal

eggs

salt & pepper to taste

peanut oil

Pour cracker meal into a zip lock bag. Beat 2 eggs in a shallow dish.(use more if needed) Dredge chicken pieces in eggs and then shake them in the bag, until completely covered with cracker meal. Fry in a deep, well heated,covered skillet in about a 1/4 inch of peanut oil over medium flame. When chicken is golden brown on both sides, remove and salt and pepper to taste, while still hot. For those who are watchng their cholesterol, remove the chicken skin before cooking and use egg beaters instead of eggs. For really quick preparation...call the Colonel! :o)

If you opt for the ham, they are easily obtained from your local market. I usually order mine from "Honey Baked Hams"..the kind that is razor sliced on the bone. It just needs to be unwrapped and heated, if you so choose.

Cornbread and Jalapeno Dressing:

1 package breakfast sausage meat

1 sweet pear, diced

2 stalks of celery, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 jalapeno peppers, chopped

3 packages of Thomas Corn Toasters or 12 corn muffins

Crumble and brown the sausage in a skillet, remove meat with a slotted spoon and set aside. In the same skillet, saute the pear, celery, onion and peppers. In a roasting pan, crumble the corn muffins and add the sausage and sauteed vegetables. Mix well. Bake covered for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees and then uncovered for 5 minutes. There are some very good meatless sausages that can be substituted with this receipe

Collard Greens and Rice:

1 sm. box of Uncle Bens Converted Rice

1 box frozen collard greens

2 strips of bacon, diced

1/2 medium yellow onion chopped

In a 2 quart sauce pan, saute the bacon, then add the chopped onion and saute until it just begins to brown. Add 1/4 water, and follow directions on the collard green box. For the rice, prepare entire box, as directed on package. When rice is done, mix in the greens and serve. I usually add a Knorr chicken boullion cube to the rice water, and eliminate the butter and salt. (when using other brands of boullion, use 2 cubes)

Annie's Pecan Pie

4 eggs

1 C. dark brown sugar

3/4 C. light corn syrup

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 C. melted butter or margarine

1 tsp. vanilla

2 C. shelled pecans chopped 9 inch deep dish unbaked pie crust (ready made) 1/3 C. pecan halves

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat eggs well and add all remaining ingredients, except the pecans. Mix well. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top of the pie crust. Pour egg mixture over the pecans. Arrange pecan halves around edge of filling, next to crust for decoration. Place pie on middle of rack in oven and bake for 10 minutes. Lower temperature to 325 and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, until set. Allow to cool and serve with a dollop of whipped cream if desired.

Also, try a mixed fruit salad of peaches, bananas, kiwi, and mandarin orange with a splash of spiced rum, in cups or over angel food cake.

"Scoop Gets It Straight From The Horse's Mouth!"

And if you enjoy horsing around, you might like this Mint Julep recipe. You'll need to prepare part of this in advance. You will need:

4 10. oz. glasses, frosted from the freezer

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

12 fresh mint leaves

crushed ice

3/4 cup Kentucky bourbon

4 fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Place sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat and stir untill sugar dissovles. Let the mixture cool slightly. Crush the mint leaves in the sugar syrup. Fill the 4 glasses with crushed ice. Pour 2 tablespoons syrup into each glass. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons of bourbon, and garnish with a mint sprig. Allow to stand 2-3 minutes for syrup and bourbon to trickle through the ice, before serving.

Serves 4

The field for the Derby is usually a large one. If you have as many guests as there are horses, consider putting the name of each Derby entry on separate pieces of paper, and put one name in with each flatware place setting. Present a gift to the guest who has the winning horse! The gift could be Champagne, wine or candy. Well..it's post time folks! Good luck and enjoy the party!

To The Wine Cellar