Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Oh the sun shines bright

But it failed to shine on the day of the Kentucky Derby. On a day that should always be designated and approved by a congressional committee to always be sunny… it rained. Buckets.
On this annual historic day that makes all Kentuckians stand a little taller, celebrate their heritage and show off their pride to the world, it rained. The skies literally opened up.
It cast a slight pall on my day down here in Tennessee where my family always has its observance of multiple yearly events… my birthday, my son’s birthday, Cinco de Mayo, and the topping on the cake, The Derby.
Looking at the muddy field at Churchill Downs gave us pause, we could only hope there wouldn’t be a horse or jockey injured in a fall on the slippery track. It didn’t happen, thank goodness, but there wasn’t the usual joy in singing “My Old Kentucky Home” as it had been on a beautiful sunny day.
Each year I lent my voice to the hundreds of singing spectators waiting for the horses to come out of the gate. As I sang along with them, those beautiful words and lyrics by Stephen Collins Foster, brought tears to my eyes. My mind would flash back to my grammar school years where my teachers made it a first priority to learn this and other songs by him by heart. Some of the most popular were: Oh! Susanna (1848), De Camptown Races (1850), Old Folks at Home [aka Swanee River] (1851), My Old Kentucky Home, (1853), Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair (1854), and Beautiful Dreamer (1862).
I’m grateful to my teachers for instilling this sense of pride in my own state. I can still remember the words to every song. They have stayed with me all these years when i remember my early education. And The Derby is an extension of that pride.
After the Derby was over, we lit into the dinner which celebrated the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo with Mexican cuisine my daughter-in-law had prepared. It was delicious and I brought home leftovers for tonight’s supper. Such a mixture of cultures, but it was enjoyable, nevertheless. Maybe there’s a metaphor in this, but I’ll let you figure it out.
Derby Day will always be a defining moment in my life. Sixty one years ago on Derby Day (I don’t remember the horse that won) I was having my own race in a hospital in Louisville, waiting for my son to be born. He arrived just before the Derby was run, so it was a big winner all around. And that is one reason why this historic event is so important to me.
Today, the rain has stopped and a weak sun is trying to peep out. Wouldn’t you just know it.

7-Layer Mexican Dip with
Homemade Tortilla Chips

For the Homemade Tortilla Chips
2 packages tortillas, medium size
2 limes
kosher salt

For the 7 Layer Mexican Dip
1 can refried beans (16 oz.)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup sour cream
2 oz. cream cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons taco seasoning
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
1 can diced green chiles
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 avocado, diced
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
Instructions:

For the Homemade Tortilla Chips
Cut store bought tortillas into wedges and arrange in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Squeeze a lime wedge over top and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes, until crispy and slightly brown.

For the 7 Layer Mexican Dip
Mix together the refried beans, lime juice, and water and spread on serving plate. Whisk together the sour cream, cream cheese, and taco seasoning, and spread on top of the refried bean mixture. Follow with layers of cheddar cheese, green chiles, diced tomatoes, diced avocado and chopped cilantro respectively.
Optional: squeeze some fresh lime juice over the avocado layer to prevent browning.