Hosting on Coronation Day and Derby Day? We've got a party menu for that

The problem with May 6 will be what to wear on our heads.

In the morning, for the coronation — do we dare to do a tiara? In the afternoon, for the Derby — do we don a fascinator?

If you’re a fan of both royalty and horses, Saturday is a big day indeed. And not only do we need to decide what to wear, we also need to figure out what to eat.

On May 6, the coronation of King Charles III begins at 6 a.m. EDT. The post time of the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. That’s a long day of television watching — and it feels like one we should organize a party or two around.

An open house feels right. Have the TV on all day as guests come and go, nibbling on finger foods. The main events are not being broadcast all day long, so you could certainly put on on a few episodes of "The Crown," and, later in the afternoon, "Seabiscuit."

In the morning, serve Pimms Cups and tea sandwiches with Coronation Chicken, which was created for Queen Elizabeth’s crowning in 1953. Or serve what the royals will this year for King Charles’ big lunch: Coronation Quiche. In the afternoon, Mint Juleps are a must, and, why not try some mini Hot Browns?

You can always throw in some dips and spreads to round out the menu. Pimento cheese in honor of the American South — and, for a nod to Britain, a traditional prawn cocktail with a mayo-chutney sauce.

And for dessert? Why not bring everybody's favorite soccer coach to the party, and serve Ted Lasso's Biscuits with the Boss? That way you can celebrate both the Brits and the Yanks! Or, if you’re a fan of the Great British Bake-Off, try your hand at Battenberg Cake, which was created as a wedding gift for Princess Victoria, who was marrying Prince Louis of Battenberg.

Not feeling like a dayslong baking project before throwing a daylong party? Pick up a pecan pie and call it a day.

Below, you'll find recipes for all these dishes, except the quiche and the cake. Just google, you'll find the official Coronation Quiche recipe and about as many cake recipes as you can shake a scepter at.

Now, where’s that tiara?

Pimm’s Cup No. 1 Recipe

Makes a big batch of Pimm's Mixture that will serve at least 12 drinks. The mixture will keep for weeks in the fridge, so do this one ahead.

• 1/2 cup strawberries, cut into quarters

• 1 cucumber, diced

• 1 big bunch mint

• Zest of 1 orange

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 3 cups Pimms No. 1

• 1 cup gin

• 1 cup lemon juice

• 1/2 cup simple syrup (made by dissolving 1 cup sugar into 1 cup water over medium heat, then cooling)

• Seltzer or ginger beer

• Strawberries, cucumber, orange zest and/or mint for garnish

For the Pimm’s mixture:

Place strawberries, cucumber, mint and orange zest in a large bowl. Sprinkle with sugar, then use a muddler to crush the fruit and release the oils from the mint and orange.

Add Pimms No. 1, gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to the bowl and stir.

Let steep for at least 15 minutes, then strain.

Transfer Pimms mixture into a pitcher (or back into the Pimm’s No. 1 bottle).

For the Pimm’s Cup No. 1

Into a highball glass, add ice. Add 3 ounces Pimms mixture. Top with seltzer or ginger beer. Garnish with any or all of the fruits and herbs.

Coronation Chicken Tea Sandwiches Recipe

This will be even better if you make freshly poached chicken: Put 4 chicken breasts in a small pot and cover with chicken stock. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Drain it and let it cool, then dice or tear into pieces. If you can’t be bothered, a rotisserie chicken will also do the trick!  Adapted from The Spruce Eats. Serves 6 and is easily doubled for a party buffet.

• 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil

• 1 small onion

• 3 teaspoons curry powder

• 1 teaspoon tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon red wine

• 1/2 cup chicken stock

• 1 medium bay leaf

• Kosher salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 2 cups mayonnaise

• 1/4 cup apricoat jam

• 2 tablespoons heavy cream, lightly whipped

• 1 3/4 to 2 pounds cooked chicken, sliced or diced

• 2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds

• White sandwich bread

Poach the the chicken, if not using rotisserie chicken.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the oil on medium heat until it shimmers. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently until translucent, lowering the heat as necessary to avoid browning, 3 to 4 minutes.Move the onion to the side and add the curry powder to hot pan. Toast it, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and stirring together with the curry powder and onion until the mixture is well combined, about 1 minute.Remove from the heat and stir in the red wine, chicken stock, and bay leaf. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Return to the stove, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.Lower the heat to low, stir in the sugar and lemon juice, and continue to simmer 5 to 10 minutes.Strain the curry sauce into a bowl through a medium mesh strainer. Let cool. Discard the contents of the strainer.Slowly stir the curry sauce into the mayonnaise. Continue to stir until well combined.Stir in the apricot jam.Fold in the cream.Place the cooked chicken in a large serving bowl. Toss with enough sauce to coat. Adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Fold in toasted sliced almonds.

To make tea sandwiches, spread the coronation chicken between two slices of sandwich bread. Cut off the crusts, then cut the sandwiches into four vertical slices.

Serve on platters.

Prawn Cocktail Recipe

Serve as a dip for shrimp. Adapted from the BBC. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 1 cup tomato chutney

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon creamy horseradish

• 5 shakes Tabasco sauce

• Juice of 1/2 of lemon juice

Stir all ingredients together. Serve with cold, peeled shrimp.

Ted Lasso's Biscuits with the Boss Recipe

Get your butter out a couple of hours before you make these, so it can be softened to room temperature. Use good butter! Adapted from the Official Ted Lasso Biscuit Recipe on thekitchn.com.

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperture

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Coat an 9-inch square metal baking pan with more butter.

Beat the soft butter in a stand mixer on high speed with the paddle attachment until fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. With the mixer running, add 3/4 cup powdered sugar. Beat until pale and fluffy.

Stop the mixer. Sift 2 cups all-purpose flour into the bowl, then add 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Mix on low speed until just combined. It may be crumbly, but if it holds together when you pinch it, it is ready.

Transfer to the prepared pan and pat to an even thickness no more than 1/2-inch thick. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 300°F.

Slice the dough into rectangles or squares in the pan. Bake until golden-brown and the middle is firm, 45 to 60 minutes. Take the pan out and slice again along your previous lines. Let cool completely.

Mint Juleps for a Crowd

If you have fresh mint in the garden, use it. Serves 4 (you can double or triple, even)

• 1 big bunch mint, flower-like tops cut off and reserved for garnish

• 1 1/2 cups bourbon

• Simple syrup (1:1)

• Crushed ice

• Seltzer water or club soda

Pour the bourbon into a pitcher and throw the bottom part of the mint in it. Muddle the mint to release the oils and let it macerate for at least 10 minutes and up to half an hour. While you’re waiting, crush the ice.

Sweeten the minty bourbon to taste by pouring in simple syrup. Start small; you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.

Fill 4 lowball glasses (or pewter cups if you have them) with crushed ice.

Strain the bourbon mixture into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into the glass, leaving enough room at the top for club soda. Top with club soda and garnish with a couple of big fat sprigs of mint. You want them to tickle your nose.

Pimento Cheese Recipe

This recipe, adapted from food writer Rachel Wharton, also makes a great tea sandwich. Makes about 2 cups.

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1/2 cup pimentos

• 1 clove garlic, put through a press

• 3 dashes Tabasco

• Salt and pepper

Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl. Serve on crackers or with celery.

Mini Hot Browns Recipe

The Hot Brown was invented in the 1920s at Louisville's Brown Hotel and is a traditional Derby Day dish. Real cooked turkey breast works better than deli meat. You can hold the cheese-turkey mixture in a slow cooker and assemble the toasts right before guests arrive. Adapted from Southern Living. 

• 2 loafs thin white sandwich bread

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 cup whole milk

• 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

• 1 1/2 cups cooked turkey, diced

• 1/4 teaspoon table salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

• 6 bacon slices, cooked, crumbled, and divided

• 5 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

Using a biscuit cutter, cut the sandwich bread into circles. Arrange bread slices on a lightly greased baking sheet. Broil 6 inches from heat for 3 to 4 minutes.

Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat; add flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Add Cheddar cheese, whisking until cheese melts. Stir in diced turkey, salt, and ground red pepper.

Top bread evenly with warm cheese-turkey mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese and half of bacon.

Bake at 500° for 2 minutes or until Parmesan is melted. Top with tomato slices, and sprinkle evenly with remaining bacon.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Coronation Chicken and more recipes for Coronation and Derby day 2023