Celebrate Kentucky Derby Traditions with Flair and Style on TipsOnTv

Food Writer and Recipe Developer Chef Marisel Salazar Shares Her Secret Ingredients for Creating an Unforgettable ‘Derby Day’ or Brunch

The Kentucky Derby is known as The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports. The big race is always on the first Saturday in May and marks a time-honored tradition with thrilling races, extravagant hats, mint juleps and delicious Derby-inspired treats. Just in time for the big race, Chef Marisel Salazar is here to provide tips for celebrating the Derby or any spring party in style. She brings the race day spirit home with delicious Derby-inspired dishes and classic traditions like mint juleps and fancy hats. Whether attending a Derby party or hosting, Chef Marisel will provide the ultimate entertaining tips and recipes to create an unforgettable derby day experience.

CREATE A FESTIVE PARTY ATMOSPHERE

Be creative and crafty. Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in style with Cricut Maker 4, which is twice as fast as previous models and can cut over 300 materials. With Cricut, Craft custom hats and accessories like these festive hats. The Cricut Maker 4 is perfect for designing personalized party favors, or adding unique touches to décor. It is so easy to upload and cut designs or choose from the easy-to-learn Cricut Design Space library with over one million images and licensed designs.  Let the Cricut Maker 4 bring that Derby-day vision to life.

PREPARING FOR DERBY DAY

There is an amazing app to help with planning for a Derby party or crafting the perfect race-day outfit. Check out these amazing items. So fun and creative, and so easy with Cricut Design Space the all-in-one creative hub. This easy-to-use app connects seamlessly to every Cricut cutting machine, providing the tools to design, customize, and create with ease. Also, craft bright springtime decorations, fun party favors and even outfits for the kids, too. The Cricut Maker 4 is available at Cricut.com and most major retailers.

A FUN SNACK FOR A DERBY MENU

Natural Delights Medjool Dates are the perfect all-natural sugar alternative for Kentucky Derby entertaining to elevate recipes from simple to sophisticated, like this Date Compote with Vidalia onion, espresso, and coriander. It is umami, sweet, savory, and the espresso really deepens those flavors while coriander adds an herbal note. They are packed with essential vitamins, antioxidants, and sustainable energy, making them an ideal race day fuel that tastes good and keeps the energy going. Get Natural Delights products at your local grocery store or online at Amazon. For more information, visit www.naturaldelights.com

SOMETHING FOR A BUFFET

Serving unique foods is another great way to make a Derby and Spring party special, so serve Tajin Date Strips, a fun and tasty way to spice up traditional Kentucky Derby fare. Sweet, Spicy, and with a touch of salt, they win the Triple Crown for flavor.  Everyone loves a good grazing board, but this one is in the Winner’s Circle. Featuring zesty Tajín Date strips for sweetness and spice, Spanish-cured lomo, and a mix of tropical fruits, this platter is sure to steal the spotlight. And for the beverage, try this Medjool Date Avocado Margarita.

MEDJOOL TAJIN DATE STRIP AVOCADO MARGARITA

3 tbsp Natural Delights Date Strips with Tajin

1/2 avocado

2 limes, juice

Pinch of salt

2 oz blanco tequila

2 oz mezcal

2 oz orange liqueur

1 tbsp date syrup

2 tbsp Tajin

Add date strips, avocado, lime juice and salt to a blender and puree until smooth – add a bit of water if needed to thin.

Add tequila, mezcal and orange liqueur to a cocktail shaker with ice and add blended avocado mixture. Shake vigorously.

Use a basting brush to paint date syrup on two cocktail glasses and dip in Tajin. Fill each glass with ice and strain margaritas into each glass. Garnish cocktail with date strips on a skewer.