Featured
Steak Diane —
for when you’re showered with good meat
The Store Cold Ziti Salad
This Ziti Salad came to us by way of Chris Michel, by way of his mother Joan, by way of their East Hampton beach house, by way of The Store, a legendary takeout shop in Amagansett that catered to the rich and famous.
Holler Hospitality
Down in the valley, valley so low – are 300 acres of rolling meadows and hillsides where Barbara Napier has cultivated a world-class but uniquely Kentucky retreat at Snug Hollow Farm.
Snug Hollow Polenta Breakfast Fries
These tasty batons served at Snug Hollow Farm B&B will add a little spice and a lot of crunch to your morning spread!
Hunting Morels
Alex Babich and Robin Reed took the stage at the Mountain Mushroom Festival in Irvine, Ky. to share tips and stories about hunting morels.
Snug Hollow Oatmeal Pancakes
One of Barbara Napier’s specialties, these are a welcome treat on cool spring mornings before a day spent in the woods.
Dueling Mint Juleps
Love it or hate it, everyone has an opinion on how to make one (or if it should be made at all). But two things that hold steadfast are the use of Kentucky mint and good Kentucky bourbon (whatever your preference). We present two variations for you to test for yourself.
Benedictine
Our Benedictine recipe comes from former sous chef Lisa Laufer. Named for legendary Louisville caterer Jennie Benedict, this version from Lisa made it into the updated preface of Benedict’s classic Blue Ribbon Cookbook. Benedictine spread is a staple at Kentucky Derby parties but delicious anytime. Not just a great sandwich spread; Benedictine is perfect for stuffing cherry tomatoes or topping hoecakes, especially with a sliver or two of Kentucky smoked trout.
Up Home at Holly Hill Inn
Mama Des, the matriarch of the Parrish family, did more than plant seeds, the flowers of which still bloom a century later. Through her care of the house and land that we call Holly Hill Inn today, and the children she raised to extend a welcome to all, she planted a legacy of hospitality and community we’re honored to carry on.
Inspiration for Your Spring Table
It’s (finally!) springtime in Kentucky. What will you celebrate? An Easter brunch, a Derby party for friends and family, a Mother’s Day or graduation dinner? Here’s how the flavors of springtime in Kentucky inspire Chef Ouita Michel. “Kentucky in spring is for us, the beginning of our culinary year. We focus on traditional Kentucky dishes done our way. We must make cheese wafers, chive-scented spoonbread, fresh asparagus, local lamb, and mint juleps.” Ouita Michel.
A Little Happy Spot
We walked into Ruth Hunt Candy Co. looking for a bourbon ball story. We left with our story, a box of chocolate-dipped cookies, and the feeling that we’d just spent an afternoon with a big, boisterous family. Everyone was smiling and eager to share details of their work, and the personal imprint of their hands was obvious on every piece of candy.
From the Kentucky Governor’s Mansion
Our Kentucky Governor’s Mansion is proudly referred to as the “People’s House”, belonging to all Kentuckians. And it’s one of just a few executive mansions in the United States that are open to the public, as befits Kentucky’s legendary reputation for hospitality. So you can imagine how thrilled we were to receive not one, but two, recipes from the kitchen of the “People’s House.”
Our Bouquet Garni
A bouquet garni flavors everything we do. It’s the perfect illustration of our focus on Kentucky’s food culture – and how our stories grow richer together. Farmer and long-time collaborator David Wagoner has brought our bouquet garni to life on the grounds of Holly Hill Inn and is a wealth of knowledge and creativity.
Dressed vs Deviled Eggs
It’s the time of year when our fancy turns to springtime celebrations and racetrack tailgating. Holly Hill Culinary Director Tyler McNabb and Events Chef Scott Darnell share two delightfully different takes on how to dress up (or devil down) your fresh local eggs.
The Measure of Her Worth
Freda Raglin is 100% genuine. We can’t resist the pull of her stories or the lingering aroma of her famous yeast rolls or the realization that Freda is a self-taught culinary genius. Her innate skill and ability to create delicious dishes by taste and touch are a treasure worth preserving.
Shady Lane Chicken Salad
Chef Ouita named her signature Wallace Station chicken salad after beautiful Shady Lane. They make it in house every day with freshly prepared chicken, crisp celery, toasted almonds and sweet/tart dried cranberries and this is a peek behind the scenes.
Wallace Station Then and Now
Chris and Ouita Michel opened Wallace Station on Old Frankfort Pike in the summer of 2003. Referred to on maps as US Hwy. 1681 and by oldtimers as Shady Lane, Old Frankfort Pike is a national scenic byway. It’s a beautiful drive any time of the year but especially in the spring and summer as ancient trees embrace in the center of the roadway to cast a canopy of shade.
Salad for Ouita
Pamela Sexton wrote a poem called “Salad for Ouita.” It’s an ode to salads, a lyrical recipe. Chef Ouita built a salad with her mother’s poem as a guide and the contents of Holly Hill’s refrigerator as an inspiration. Where will Pam’s poem take you; what will go in your salad bowl?
Living Our Salad Days
Maggie Dungan grows fresh produce on her Salad Days Farm in rural Woodford County. We cherish her green lettuces in the dark days of winter and celebrate living our salad days all year round.
Penny’s Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette
One of Chef Ouita’s family salad traditions included her mom’s pumpkin seed vinaigrette. Pam, or Penny as was her childhood nickname, made it every week and kept a small jar of it in the fridge. Enjoy Ouita’s secret tribute to her mom on any lettuce or cabbage salad, or as a dip with crudite!
The Incomparable Agnes
Chef Agnes Teresa Marrero Rosa infuses the warmth and spirit of her native Puerto Rico into everything Smithtown Seafood serves. Chef Agnes melds Puerto Rico’s sensuous tropical flavors with Kentucky Proud ingredients. “Every week, I try to put that on the menu in my specials. That’s my inspiration. My cuisine and the Caribbean and all that. I grab it with all my heart.”