A Kentucky Bourbon Ball is a bite-sized chocolate candy with a bourbon-spiked creamy center, usually topped with a pecan.

Burgoo is Kentucky’s thick, slow-simmered stew made with a mix of meats, vegetables, and deep savory flavor.

A Hot Brown is an open-faced Louisville sandwich made with turkey, bacon, tomato, and creamy Mornay sauce, then broiled until bubbly. It is rich, golden, and absolutely a fork-and-knife situation.

Kentucky Cheese Pudding is a savory baked casserole made with cheese, crackers or bread, eggs, milk or cream, and a little peppery heat.

A Modjeska is a soft marshmallow dipped in buttery caramel. It is a Louisville-born candy with a fancy name, a sweet center, and serious old-fashioned charm.

Monroe County Barbecue is a south-central Kentucky specialty made with pork shoulder steaks grilled over hickory and dipped in a fiery vinegar-pepper sauce.

“Not Derby Pie” is a chocolate-and-walnut pie inspired by Kentucky’s famous race-day dessert, without using the trademarked name.

Kentucky Stack Cake is an Appalachian dessert made from thin spice cake layers stacked with apple filling.

Wilted lettuce is tender garden lettuce dressed with hot bacon drippings, vinegar, sugar, and crisp bacon. It is part salad, part side dish, and part Appalachian magic trick.