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Big Wheel Keeps on Turning

Today's postcard is of a mill wheel found in Wayne County, Kentucky. The postcard reads:

"6/14/74 They've really accomplished wonders. The weather is great. The Z----s say hello - and we'll think of your guys when we have Hot Kentucky Browns next week. Now to rest for more golf tomorrow. He never gives up. "

This mill wheel was made a National Historic Site in 1973 (the year before the traveller's were there). Perhaps that's what the author means by "they've really accomplished wonders" - or maybe not. In 1908, the 28-foot cedar wheel was replaced by a steel water wheel, which you see in this picture. Still in use today, the wheel is one of the largest overshot water wheels in the world. Diameter of 40 feet, 10 inches, and a breast of three feet. It is powered by 13 natural springs located beside the mill, and is thought to be one of the largest of it's kind in the world.


What is a Hot Kentucky Brown? It is a traditional sandwich which originated at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. The Brown Hotel is still there and is a 4 diamond hotel within close proximity to Churchill Downs, the site of the Kentucky Derby. The Derby is the first of the triple crown races in the sport of horseracing. The race is held the first weekend in May, and in 2010 the post time will be
Saturday, May 1, 2010 is 6:24 p.m. In the south, it is not unusual to have Kentucky Derby parties at this time (reminds me of the Superbowl Parties). Hot Kentucky Browns are a good thing to serve - they are hot turkey sandwiches with tomatoes and a cheesy sauce, topped with bacon.

For our times, you can try this "lightened" version from the Southern Living website:
Lightened Hot Kentucky Browns
Prep: 15 min., Broil: 6 min.
Prep Time: 15 minutesCook Time: 6 minutesYield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
· 8 (1-oz.) rye, wheat, or white bread slices, toasted
· 3/4 pound sliced deli-roasted turkey breast
· Parmesan Cheese Sauce
· 1/4 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
· 4 cooked reduced-fat bacon slices, crumbled
· 3 plum tomatoes, sliced

Parmesan Cheese Sauce
Preparation
1. Melt 1 1/2 Tbsp. butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. flour into melted butter, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute or until mixture is golden and lumpy.
2. Gradually whisk in 1 cup 1% low-fat milk, and bring to a boil. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 to 2 minutes, or until thickened.
3. Add 1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper, and a pinch of paprika, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat, and use immediately.
Spicy Cheese Sauce: Prepare Parmesan Cheese Sauce as directed, and whisk in 1 tsp. hot sauce.

Preparation of Hot Kentucky Browns
1. Arrange desired bread slices on an aluminum foil-lined 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Top evenly with turkey and Parmesan Cheese Sauce; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
2. Broil 6 inches from heat 4 to 6 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned; remove from oven. Top with crumbled bacon and tomato slices; serve immediately.


If you go to the Brown Hotel, you can order the dish in the J. Graham Cafe. Some famous people who attend the Kentucky Derby (and sit in Millionaire's Row) stay at the Brown Hotel...I wonder who you'd run into in the cafe?
Another Derby tradition (and Kentucky tradition) is to serve Mint Juleps, a drink made with whiskey and a mint/sugar syrup. Traditionally it is served in a silver cup. During the Derby weekend, 120,000 will be served at the track - mostly in collectible glasses (see e-Bay for sets of Derby collectibles on sale). You may recall that Tom and Daisy drank Mint Julep's in the Great Gatsby, and she talked about being married in Louisville in the heat.


For your party pleasure, the official recipe from the Derby:

The Early Times Mint Julep Recipe
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Early Times Kentucky Whisky
Silver Julep Cups
Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

To buy a sterling silver Mint Julep cup, go to www.wmjuairesterling.com/

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