Horsing Around and Derby Truffles

I’ve been horsing around lately~ visiting with this 4- legged neighbor.

While I’m no horse whisperer, this handsome guy has become a little less camera-shy, progress, since he is no longer running in the opposite direction when he sees me :)

Around the corner from him, there is a white house in a beautiful setting~ complete with white barn, fencing and more horses. . .

You can see it covered in snow here.

I found a recipe in the May issue of Southern Living for

Derby Truffles.

These truffles are rich, easy, and can be made ahead~

A Winning Trifecta!

Ingredients:

~3 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bars, chopped (I used Ghiradelli)
~1 1/2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed 
~2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
~9 tablespoons heavy cream
~1/4 cup bourbon (a mini bottle is 50 ml, and just shy of 2 oz. if you don’t have any bourbon )
~1 (5.3-oz.) package pure butter shortbread cookies, crushed (I used Walkers)
~2 cups finely chopped roasted, salted pecans

Preparation:

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a large glass bowl. Cook cream and bourbon in a small saucepan over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes or until mixture is hot but not boiling. (Mixture will steam, and bubbles will form around edge of pan.) Pour cream mixture over chocolate. Let stand 1 minute.

2. Stir chocolate mixture until melted and smooth. (If mixture doesn’t melt completely, microwave at HIGH 30 seconds.) Stir in crushed cookies. Cover and chill 3 hours or until firm. (Mixture can be prepared and chilled up to 2 days ahead.)

3. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls (about 2 tsp. per ball). Roll in chopped pecans. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheets. Chill 1 hour. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 5 days.

 I bought a mini bottle which was just shy of the 1/4 cup needed, and close enough.

Also, I used a combination of roasted, salted mixed nuts and pecans. The saltiness of the nuts is perfect with the sweetness of the chocolate and a winning combination!

I ended up with around 30 truffles.

You can find a printable recipe, HERE.

You can meet all of the horses for this year’s Kentucky Derby here.

I’m not much of a gambler, but if I was betting strictly by name~ I’d place my money on Itsmyluckyday, but I have to pull for Rosie’s run for the roses!

Hope your horse is a winner on Derby Day!

Thank you for your visit!

  37 comments for “Horsing Around and Derby Truffles

  1. Pondside
    April 28, 2012 at 6:38 am

    For anyone who has ever loved a horse, your images will bring back memories. Lovely, all.
    I’m not a racing fan, and didn’t even know that there was a derby slated, but those truffles caught my attention!

  2. shirley@housepitalitydesigns
    April 28, 2012 at 8:11 am

    Whoa..that horse is a cutie!!!…How wonderful that he will now let you get close enough for a picture….Your neighbor’s setting is so idyllic…how wonderful to be able to see a gorgeous area of horses and your lake setting too…

    Truffles looks decadent…have not had a chance to read the May issue of SL yet..will definitely have to seek out that recipe!! Have a wonderful weekend…

  3. April 28, 2012 at 8:37 am

    Love the fence image Mary.

  4. April 28, 2012 at 9:11 am

    Pretty horses and yummy truffles! They look delicious and not too difficult to make. I like the picture with the horses’ head over the fence, like he’s just coming to say, “Hi”.

  5. April 28, 2012 at 9:47 am

    Gorgeous Mary!!
    We won’t be drinking Mint Juleps either. The truffles look delish!

  6. April 28, 2012 at 10:31 am

    You live in such a gorgeous location… But best of all you capture life’s moments with an artists eye… Now that is blue ribbon livin.,,

  7. April 28, 2012 at 10:48 am

    I think that horses are some of God’s most beautiful creatures, bbut I am alittle shy of THEM! I ahve never ridden a horse but would love to try. The truffles look YUMMY. No partying here, just packing:) Have a beautiful weekend. You sure are surronded by beauty where you are between the lake and the horses!!!! XO, Pinky

  8. April 28, 2012 at 10:58 am

    I love this post! The horse is so beautiful and so is the land and the house. Just like out of a movie. I don’t dare try to make those truffles because I would eat them all. I love watching the Kentucky Derby, it’s one race I never miss.

  9. April 28, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    What exquisite settings and the horses are so beautiful. How could anyone not love a horse!?! Your photos are magnificent and I’ve already read your post three times(can’t get enough of your fabulous photos). I’m not a big believer in horse racing but the truffles certainly look delicious so I’m definitely going to give them a try. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

  10. April 28, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    Love where your camera has taken you today, Mary. You do go through your days with eyes wide open, a very good thing for the rest of us.

  11. April 28, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    What great horse-y photos, and those truffles look divine. I’m intrigued by the addition of the bourbon and shortbread.

  12. April 28, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    Lovely horses and setting! You have a way of just bringing photo images to vibrant life. I have never been a ‘horse person’ but that doesn’t keep me from admiring these magnificent creatures. I don’t watch horse races, although I do love movies about horses (contradictions that go with my Gemini birth, I guess)…The truffles sound great!

  13. April 28, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    This post is brilliant! I love all the pictures and the way you put them together tells the story itself. Truffles look so delicious!

  14. Happier Than A Pig in Mud
    April 28, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    Fun pics Mary! So, you carrying carrots in your purse now?:@) The truffles look and sound great, I certainly would join you in one or three… Have a great weekend!

  15. April 28, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    Horses are such majestic creatures. Both the horses and their beautiful surrounds are picture perfect, Mary. This is a wonderful post for those of us who love horses. I recently spent an overnight at a friend’s horse farm, but I didn’t get good photos. So kudos to you for mastering taking photos of your neighboring horse. ;-)

  16. April 29, 2012 at 1:31 am

    We just watched Secretariat last night. Love love love that movie. Your post today is perfect to go with that movie. Those truffles look so decadent and delicious. I must give them a try. Beautiful photography as well. And Mary I do think that horse IS warming up to you!! (smile)

  17. April 29, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    Great photos of the horses, Mary! They are such beautiful animals. Growing up, I had two and my sister had three. A wonderful experience except for my two broken wrists :)

    These truffles sound wonderful! I’m pinning them!

  18. Marilyn
    April 29, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    I maybe mistaken, but I’m sensing a real connection between you and the horses. He is posing ( and looking at you with comfort and ease) in such a way that his gaze is almost mesmerizing.

    I’m such a devoted animal lover, that I find animal cruelty beyond comprehension ! How could anyone look into those soulful eyes and not treat those magnificent creatures with love, respect and caring.

    You’ve captured yet another beautiful moment in time.

    Marilyn (in Dallas)

  19. April 29, 2012 at 7:06 pm

    Those truffles look delicious! The pictures of the horses, and the surrounding areas are terrific…makes me want to be there!

  20. A Garden of Threads
    April 29, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    The horse looking over the fence gives a smile, so cute. Fabulous shots.

  21. April 29, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    I really enjoyed horsing around with you. You got some gorgeous shots and the truffles!!!!!! Oh my!

  22. Vee
    April 29, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    Beautiful horses…thank you for sharing your tips on selecting winners…I like going with names, too. Those are great ones! That recipe sounds delicious.

  23. April 29, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    My aunt had horses, when I was young, and I remember how I loved visiting the horses when at her home. Your photos are fabulous.
    -Karen

  24. April 30, 2012 at 6:08 am

    Interesting post with beautiful photos. Love the fence shot! Truffles look delicious!

  25. April 30, 2012 at 7:57 am

    Sure looks like home! I’m from KY. My mother went in a liquor store once and asked for 1/2 cup of bourbon! Guy gave her some and she took him back some bourbon balls.

  26. April 30, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    What wonderful photos. We have a lot of horse farms in Florida and I always love to see the horses…especially in the Spring when there are babies, too!

  27. May 1, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    The horses are wonderful, absolutely beautiful. I so adore horses and you got some lovely landscapes as well. Now as for the recipe, hmm wonder how you could make these and not gain a pound…they look scrumptious~

  28. May 4, 2012 at 9:57 am

    I am so thrilled to have found you this morning!
    Lucky me!

    Your Derby treats sparked an interest and so I followed you via Michael Lee’s blog. I just set a table in a Derby theme and these lovelies would have been perfect on the table.

    Hope you will stop by my blog. I think we have similar interests!
    Your farm and your horses are magnificent.
    Looking forward to spending some time looking around here.

    Your newest follower,
    Alison

  29. April 30, 2013 at 9:59 am

    Fabulous photo’s! I love them. I grew up in a small town but live in a city now, I don’t get to see images from the farm very often anymore. I love the picture of the old wooden fence too. Very rustic :) Thank you for sharing a piece of your life with us. Krista @ A Handful of Everything

  30. April 30, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    OH, man! I am making these! They look fab! :)

  31. May 2, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    Wonderful photos! These looks delicious.

  32. May 3, 2013 at 12:42 am

    so glad you relink, i remember this one vividly, your horsie shots delighted me! and who can resist chocolate~

  33. tyler
    May 3, 2013 at 2:22 am

    Thanks for sharing this recipe, i need to make this soon.

  34. Rattlebridge Farm
    May 3, 2013 at 2:24 am

    Absolutely beautiful, Mary. Last year, my husband showed up at lunchtime unexpectedly–with a horse trailer. He opened it, and two gorgeous Tennessee Walking Horses trotted out. They are SO different from our donkeys. Your photos captured the majesty of the horse–and the unique “hey, got an apple?” expression. Loved this! Your posts make my world a happier place.

    • April 30, 2015 at 10:52 pm

      There are some folks in our area who are into Tennessee Walking horses. I think most horses are beautiful! And these pics are wonderful for sure. Sheila

  35. April 30, 2015 at 10:50 pm

    I am from Ky…and love anything Derby. I live just south of the Bourbon Trail…with that being a huge industry in our state. Love your hose pictures…reminds me of my riding days! I rode a Morgan. Huge ole horse! Ha! Thanks for all of your references to the Kentucky Derby in the various posts. Sheila

  36. Kathy G
    April 9, 2016 at 10:31 pm

    Beautiful setting with all that lushness, by the lake and the horses. Enjoyed the post and will definitely need to make those truffles!! How beautiful they look in that lovely dish. Thanks for sharing

Comments are closed.

Discover more from Home is Where the Boat Is

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue Reading

%d bloggers like this: