What's Cookin' Kentucky

by cincyblue on Sep 3, 2010 2:53 PM EDT

I'm pretty sure many of you are like me -- I've got special foods I cook before UK football and, especially, basketball games.

During basketball season I like to slow cook a pot of chili. I've got a white chili recipe that will burn your socks off.

There's been some disasters. I once decided to use garlic cloves instead of of garlic powder. You know?, there's a difference. That whole pot went down the drain. Lord, have mercy. As I went for my walk that night, these people in goth clothes kept coming up to me, saying, "Vampire Slayer". Last year, I made a pot of Texas Chili for the UofL basketball game. Mistake. The combination of the jalapenos and the alleged Swopshire elbow (it was a push with a forearm, you morons) -- Well, I was uncomfortable.

But I have my food traditions.

For tomorrow's kick-off, I'm attempting a pot of Burgoo -- my first. It's based on Keeneland's recipe and the Owensboro barbecue festivals of my youth and visits. So far, so good. The stoneware seems to be holding, :), and the house smells good. I'll let it age until tomorrow, and will have a big bowl ready (with cornbread) at 3:30.

So, what's your UK food traditions?

Barbecue as you tailgate outside of Commonwealth Stadium? A monster Brat and Mett barbecue as you prepare for the game on TV?

This post may fail, but I figured I'd give it a try.

Let's share. Traditions? Recipes?

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Very cool post, cincyblue

I don’t have an “eating” tradition for any UK events, but after reading your post, I might have to start one.

by Ken Howlett on Sep 3, 2010 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

I agree!

I don’t have one either, but I love to cook (and eat), and cincy has inspired me to think about starting one! I do like to have a bourbon for big games, because it’s so “Kentucky.”

by blue kentucky girl on Sep 3, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

UK Thermonuclear Cardinal Wings.

Recipe Serves 25 people 6-10 wings each. Have box of Kleenex and roll of papertowels ready.

1)10 lbs of cut wing pieces cleaned and dried.Drying them keeps you from getting burnt as you fry them.
2) Apply Kansas City grilling rub to wings.
3) deep Fry naked wings for approximately 7 min per basket at 425.
4) soak in sauce for approximately three minutes. Wings must go into the sauce straight from the fryer. Do not let them rest.

Sauce

1 gallon of Texas Pete Hot Sauce, Louisiana Hot Sauce or comparable brand.
1 quart of Honey or Brown Sugar BBQ sauce
1 LB Butter or Margarine. ( for the purposes of this recipe, butter is better)
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Worchestshire sauce
1 tsp liquid smoke
1/4 cup paprika
1/8 cup ground cumin
2 TBSP Habanero Sauce
1/8 cup Old Bay Seasoning
1 tsp of Red Chili Flake
1tsp of vinegar
8 oz Dr Pepper
Mix ingredients and heat to a low boil then remove from heat and keep in a warm place.

Have box of Kleenex handy as you cook. Your sinus cavities will open.
A Bag of hard rolls cut into halves is also a good idea for anyone who decides they are man enough to conquer the wings on an empty stomach. This recipe has also caused the consumption of large quantities of adult beverages involuntarily.

I Shall Always Be The Cat......In The Hat!!! The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Sep 3, 2010 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

Another hot wings recipe (if you're in a hurry)

Deep fry the wings with no seasoning and no coating at 450 degrees for 12 minutes (the bigger the wings the longer, so adjust as needed.)

In a sauce pan melt 1/2 cup butter, add1/2 cup hot sauce (Durkee’s, Red Hot, etc.), 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp (or more) Tabasco, 2 tsp vinegar. Once wings are done shake off excess grease in a brown paper bag then dunk and drain in sauce. If you leave them in the sauce they get soggy. It won’t make your eyes melt, but it will get your attention.

By the way – Serve with BLUE cheese.

by hoboat33 on Sep 4, 2010 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Stopit you all

I’m in the Philippines and you’re making me homesick ;)

by bigbill992001 on Sep 3, 2010 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

This Post is pretty ironic

I just bought the What’s Cookin Kentucky cookbook the other day. Just waiting for it in the mail. There are a lot great Kentucky recipes in it and I can’t wait to start my own tradition.

by Ky4x4 on Sep 4, 2010 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

Trust me, no irony here

No connection to the book.
I would like to see its recipe for Burgoo, though.

No matter where you're at, there you are

by cincyblue on Sep 4, 2010 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

I'll second that

Here in Arkansas I’ll mention burgoo and people either think I’m talking about a creamy hamburger or something you pick out of your nose. I need to educate these people.

by hoboat33 on Sep 4, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Wife has that book......my recipe is not in there. See the recipe itself will actually raise the temp in a room by

5 degrees. Luckily I have a cool pad for my laptop so it didnt overheat when I typed it.

I Shall Always Be The Cat......In The Hat!!! The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Sep 4, 2010 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

Heh, I have this vision of how Burgoo started

In the 1800’s a bunch of Kentucky guys got together. It was the Fall season. Their wives were about done canning the vegetables from the Summer. But there were many left overs. There was okra, corn, tomatoes, lima beans, peas, green beans, potatoes… — but they didn’t quite make the grade for the wives. Now, these guys looked at nature’s bounty. They looked at these poor old veggies and hatched a plan.

Let’s put these things in one big pot and put the pot over an open flame for most of the day. We’ll season the heck out of them and it’ll turn out fine.

Now, some of these out of the pot thinkers added their two cents. One said, “I’ve got a squirrel” — another, “just shot me a possum”.
Others chimed in — deer, cow, chicken, pig. One father said, “My Mary’s got a little lamb.” They all agreed — throw that in too.

And thus, Burgoo was born.

A Kentucky tradition… If it don’t have road kill in it, it ain’t burgoo :)

(author’s note — if you don’t get this, you’re from the city and, well, more’s the pity)

No matter where you're at, there you are

by cincyblue on Sep 4, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to confess, I have probably seen 500 Burgoo recipes. And about 450 of them I could care less about

but when it is made right, and made with quality ingredients and fresh, I love it……I can’t stand it leftover.

I Shall Always Be The Cat......In The Hat!!! The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Sep 4, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Very similar to

Rock Soup

by hoboat33 on Sep 5, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

For years...

I have gone to the Waffle House the morning of UK games. I usually go with the cheese eggs platter with raisin toast, hash browns, bacon and lots of coffee to counter all the alcohol that is coursing through my system from the night before. I read the Lexington Herald Leader to find out how awesome my Cats are and how they are going to lay the smackdown on some sorry team.

If I ever end up on death row, Waffle House will cater my last meal.

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Sep 4, 2010 1:15 PM EDT reply actions