B*tchin Barb’s Hot Brown Casserole

B*tchin Barb’s Hot Brown Casserole

It’s a Kick-A$$ arole

Ingredients

• Butter 
• Flour
• Milk
• Heavy Cream
• Parmesan Cheese
• Extra Sharp White Cheddar
• Salt & Pepper
• Thick cut Sandwich Bread
• Turkey
• Bacon
• Tomato
• Paprika
• Parsley

First off, Barb ain’t nobody’s b*tch – she’s B*TCHIN’!  Do I have to explain what B*tchin‘ means?

HOT SH#T!   If you need more explanation, you may need to hang out with more Bad A$$ Shit-kicking friends.  (I advise this either way)

But I digress.  When Barb invited us all over to a Kentucky Derby party, she asked for traditional apps, drinks, and desserts.  I chose a Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole and an Oaks Lily inspired cocktail (now known as the Cuss Kitchen® Lusty Lilly).  I had saved leftover smoked turkey (see the CK Rubbed & Smoked Fowl) .  It was stashed it in the freezer, so it was ready to go for this delicious Hot Brown Casserole.

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What is a Kentucky Hot Brown?

The Hot Brown is an open-faced Texas Toast sandwich originating from the Brown Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Chef Fred Schmidt created the Hot Brown.  It featured thick-sliced roast turkey, crispy bacon, and Roma tomato slices, and covered in a  cheesy Mornay sauce.  

This beautiful turkey sandwich is then put under a broiler and finished with pecorino Romano, parsley and paprika.  It is served hot, golden brown and bubbly!  A slice of heaven! 

The open-faced turkey sandwich has been part of the American Culinary scene since 1926.

What is Mornay sauce?

Mornay sauce is a French bechamel with the addition of cheese.  The cheese sauce is smooth and usually features Gruyere cheese and sometimes Parmesan.

Why is the Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich recipe associated with the Kentucky Derby?

The Hot Brown is a sandwich that is synonymous with the Derby- as traditional as Bourbon and Bow ties.  Heavy on carbs, the Hot Brown gained a reputation as a great ‘Hang-over’ food, and became a staple at many Derby parties.  

While the original, is still served at the historic Brown Hotel, over 40 restaurants in the Louisville area serve new versions on the famous Kentucky Hot Browns recipe

Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole?

This Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole is a tasty twist on the nostalgic favorite.  It features smoked turkey, bacon, and a cheesy mornay sauce that includes Swiss cheese.  

The roasted turkey, crispy bacon, tomato and creamy Mornay sauce over Texas Toast puts this casserole at the top of the ‘Favorite Comfort Food’ lists. 

It is super easy to prepare for a crowd, a delicious main dish, and a great way to use left-over turkey.

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          What are 10 of the most interesting                        traditions of the Kentucky Derby?

With 145 years of history,  Kentucky pride, Bourbon, Horse betting and a splash of superstition – you get plenty of traditions that surround the Kentucky Derby.  Derby socialites or newcomers- Everyone partakes in at least some of the beloved traditions.  Luck favors the prepared!   Here are the best traditions to know before the Kentucky Derby.

Traditions we love

• The date: No one has to ask, ‘When is the Kentucky Derby?’ Since the 1930s, the Derby has been held on the first Saturday in May. No other major sporting event is so closely associated with a particular day and month as the Derby.   That Saturday truly belongs to the ‘Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.’
• Pink Friday at the Oaks:  A favorite pre-Derby event is the Kentucky Oaks, which is run the day before the Derby. The dress code for this event is specific—everyone wears pink. You can embrace the tradition with a bow, hat or necktie, or be fully committed with a full pink dress or suit.  The tradition is a nod to the horses of the race.  The Oaks is a race for three-year fillies (female horses).
• The hats:  One of the only places in the U.S. where such outlandish hats fit in. The tradition of ornate hats and fashion date back to founder Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.’s vision to make the Derby a place for America’s high class to attend.  The men wore nice suits, and the women wore fancy dresses.  The hats were associated with good luck- so the larger the hat or ‘Fascnator’ – the more luck.  The race quickly evolved into a showcase of the current fashion trends of the Spring.  The introduction of Kentucky Derby on TV in the 1960s gave women an added reason to try and stand out, increasing the size and originality of their fashion.

Much-loved Derby Traditions

• The song:  ‘My Old Kentucky Home.’ Stephen Foster’s 19th century ballad has been a tradition at the Derby since 1921, and is the official state song for the commonwealth of Kentucky.  It is played by the University of Louisville Marching band with a chorus of Tens of thousands of fans singing along.  The song accompanies the horses as they are led to the starting gate, and is an immense source of pride for Kentuckians
• The garland: The Kentucky Derby was long ago dubbed ‘The Run for the Roses.’ More than 400 of the red flowers are sewn into green satin .  After the race, the garland is draped around the neck of the winning horse .  The rose was made the official flower of the Kentucky Derby in 1904.  

More Great Traditions

• The Cocktail: The mixture of bourbon, sugar, and mint is now world-renowned due to its association with the Kentucky Derby. It’s popular, too, with over 120,000 of them served on Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby days combined.  After the race, the winning jockey is invited by the President of Churchill Hill Downs for a mint julep cocktail in special Silver Julep cups.  It is traditional for the Governor of Kentucky to toast the winner with the classic cocktail in the ceremonial cups.
• Bourbon: Bourbon is resident at the Kentucky Derby.  The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Bourbon share a rich and intertwined history, embodying the spirit and tradition of the Bluegrass State.  Derby day is synonymous with Southern Culture and celebration, and no event is complete without Kentucky Bourbon. Whether sipped neat, on the rocks, or as part of a Mint Julep, Bourbon is the spirit for cheering on your their favorite thoroughbreds.
• The Hot Brown:  The Hot Brown has evolved into a Kentucky culinary tradition, and a Derby classic.  This open-faced sandwich is loaded with turkey, bacon, and a rich Mornay sauce.  Created in 1926 at the Louisville at the Brown Hotel- it’s a comfort food for those who grew up in the area, and a must-try for Kentucky visitors.
• The Infield Party:  Although the Kentucky Derby is known as an elegant affair, the infield can get quite rowdy with celebratory drinking starting as early as 8am.  The entire infield becomes on huge party.
• Millionaires Row:  This is the dining area above the racetrack where the wealthy can avoid the crazy parties down below.   At over $1000 per ticket, this area is a who’s who of celebrities, and socialites.