This week my husband’s family came to visit us and see the new house. Since they arrived on a Wednesday and this is the first full week of horse racing we decided to head out to Keeneland for the afternoon.
I know many people who would argue that the best part of going to Keeneland is the tailgating, not watching the races. I fall into this category. I enjoy going into the stadium, but I’m perfectly willing to put it off for while in order to sit in the sunshine, drink a little beer or bourbon, and feast on an array of snacks.
If you’ve never been to the track, specifically the ones in Kentucky, it is quite the upscale event. People typically get dressed up in collared shirts, suit coats, dresses and hats. The tailgating tends to follow suit. You are likely to find artisanal breads, cheeses and wine spread out along the tailgates of trucks and SUVs.
This is why I love it. Football tailgates with their barbeque and chips are lots of fun, but going to Keeneland gives you the chance to be a little more creative and fancy with your food choices.
One my favorite tailgate items for these occasions is a crusty bread and different types of spreads. A few weeks ago I came across Andrea’s Sundried Tomato and Spinach Dip from Off Her Cork. I had every intention of making it until I came across the sundried tomatoes at the market for $5 a jar. Yikes.
I’m not saying that there are not perfectly good reasons to buy them or that I won’t in the future. I happen to love sundried tomatoes. However, it was one of those instances where I’d already spent a lot on ingredients and I wasn’t willing to tack on the tomatoes. Has that ever happened to you? Hopefully I’m not alone here.
The spinach had been purchased, however, so I decided to replace the basil in my typically pesto recipe with the spinach. It turned out great! I added enough oil to make it a spread. I ended up liking it more as it sat in the fridge a couple days because the walnuts and spinach combined into a creamy paste that was perfect for dipping carrots or pretzels.
Spinach Pesto Spread
5 oz spinach leaves, about 3 big handfuls
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup chopped walnuts
3 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup chopped walnuts
3 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
In a food processor combine the spinach, garlic, walnuts and cheese. Pulse until you create everything is finely chopped and begins to create a paste. Turn on low and slowly drizzle in olive oil. I don’t measure the olive oil, I just add until it reaches the consistency I desire. Add less if you want a thick spread, more if you want a dip or dressing. Remove the lid of the food processor. Sprinkle in about a ¼ tsp of salt and pepper, or more or less to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.
My favorite picture of the day. Check out his tube socks made of tape.
Sometimes the best recipes come from improvising on the spot! Nice one! And yeah, that is a ton of money for sundried tomatoes. Goodness!
I have never been to a horse-racing event but would love it. I love horses so much that seeing them would make my day. Glad you had such a great time with family!
The track sounds like a lot of fun! Kind of like upscale football tailgating (with much better food in my opinion!). This pesto spread looks delicious. Pesto is definitely one of my all-time favorite things.
Gotta love the tube socks…
Fancy tailgating sounds like fun! Until I can pick my own homegrown basil, it’s really so expensive to purchase so you’re substitution of spinach is perfect! Hope you had a wonderful visit with the in-laws. 😎
A great take on pesto–gotta mix up those greens, anyway! 😉 I usually forgo the bottles sundried tomatoes and just buy the dry ones in bulk (like raisins or prunes). Then you can reconstitute them in oil, or boiling water for 5 minutes–and voila!–sundried tomatoes for half price. 😉
I’ve be to the Kentucky Derby and almost managed the Triple Crown – so much fun, and It is a bit of culture not to be found elsewhere.
Love the sounds of your spread, just about perfection.