Bluegrass Winners

The follow up to last month's Creating a Stir post is about the second most noticed cookbook seen on local shelves. True story, my Bluegrass Winners: A Cookbook is bound together with duct tape, a few pages stuck together by cooking stains. Buy a new one? No way. A clean version would never bring back the memories!

This cookbook was published almost 40 years ago by the Garden Club of Lexington, a group of dedicated members that have a long history in Lexington. If you’ve ever admired the beautifully planted trees along the corridor of Richmond Road or wandered through Henry Clay’s Ashland Garden, their achievements are withstanding examples of the club’s contributions to our city. 

Why is the cookbook special? 

The 1985 cookbook was an effort by the club to help fund the maintenance of the Ashland Garden originally created in 1950. It was an immediate success appealing to those interested in Kentucky, its connection to the horse industry and detailed menus for holiday entertaining. 

A few of many online reviewers agree.

“Originally from Kentucky, I wanted to add area recipes to my Derby Party celebration. Reading through, it was interesting to discover that some recipes were really dated, and much more sophisticated (and complicated!) now. The farm suggested menus at the beginning of the book are delightful.” 

“I use this cookbook for my Kentucky Derby parties: the garlic cheese grits are de rigueur!” 

“This book combines great Kentucky Southern cooking with a healthful twist on each recipe. I call it my California Kentucky cookbook. My dinner party feedback has been quite positive.”

My personal favorites were:

• Mustard Sauce for Turkey on Yeast Rolls (how to substitute Escoffier Diable Sauce that is no longer available!)
• Shrimp and Cheddar Pies (converting to mini versions) 
• Wild Rice Casserole (adding ingredients to make the perfect side dish for a Dove Dinner) 

All are all safely captured in my messy scrawl. 

If you have favorites, share in the comments. If you’re considering a new kitchen, give us a call... or better yet, drop by our showroom at 345 Lafayette Avenue. We're not just designers, we appreciate everything that can be done to effortlessly feed your family and entertain your guests.