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| Memorial Day Menu Ideas |
by Arleen M. KapturMemorial Day marks the beginning of the vacation season and the end of the school year for many youngsters. On this day of new beginnings, American flags, Uncle Sam images, and other patriotic symbols decorate our homes and grace our table. Also Spring flowers add delight and beauty to our surroundings. Indeed, it is a wonderful time of year, including those great Memorial Day picnics and barbecue meals. Possibilities abound for the food that you can serve: Fried chicken, deviled eggs, cheese and fruit platters, pink lemonade, ice cream and pies. Menus are fun to plan and always have the end result of great eating and a fun time for all. So get those picnic baskets out, clean out the grill, and get ready for the official start of summer- time fun. Very Special Poor Boys 2 tbs. butter 4 hot dogs, cut into 1/2" slices 1 onion, chopped 1 green or red bell pepper, chopped 1 tbs. flour 1 loaf of French bread, cut in half lengthwise 1 tsp. seasoned salt 2-/12 cups washed and drained sauerkraut 1-1/2 cups grated America cheese, cheddar, or pepperjack cheese or a mixture of cheese Melt the butter in a pan. Add the hot dogs, onions, and green pepper. Over medium heat, cook for about 10-12 mins. stirring occasionally. Add the flour and seasoned salt to the pan. Lower the heat to low and stir until everything is well blended. Continue stirring until mixture thickens. Add the sauerkraut and cheese to pan. Continue stirring over low heat until the cheese melts. Wrap foil around the French bread, leaving the top open. Remove the top half and spoon your mixture onto the bottom portion of the French bread. Bake in oven (350) for 20-25 mins. Remove and place top half of bread over mixture. Cut into serving pieces and serve. ~*~ Picnic Three-Bean Salad 3/4 cup sugar 2/3 cup vinegar 1/3 cup salad oil salt and pepper to taste 1 onion, chopped 1 red green bell pepper, chopped 1 15-1/2oz. can EACH wax beans, green beans, and dark kidney beans Drain beans and rinse under cold water. Set aside. Combine the sugar, vinegar,oil, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined. Add the onion, bell pepper, and stir once again. Add the drained beans and with a spoon, being careful not to break the beans, stir until blended. Refrigerate overnight. Place in a glass bowl to show off the colors of this welcome salad treat and serve. ~*~ Amazing Fruit Salad 1 pint fresh blueberries 1 pint fresh hulled strawberries or raspberries 2-/12 cups fresh pineapple chunks 2 cups seeded watermelon chunks 2 bananas, sliced 1/2" 2 tbs. lemon juice 2 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced 1 small can mandarin oranges, drained 2 pkgs. (3 ozs. each) cream cheese, at room temperature 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar 1-1/2 tsp. fresh lime juice 1 cup whipping cream, whipped 1/4 tsp. grated lime peel Toss bananas and lemon juice to keep from browning. Place in a glass bowl. In a layering effect, place the pineapple, blueberries, one half of the strawberries, oranges, kiwi fruit, watermelon, and the remaining strawberries/raspberries. In a bowl, with a mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar slowly and continue beating. Add lime juice and incorporate, then the lime peel. Lower speed and add one-half of the whipped cream. Mix until blended. Lower speed again, and add the remaining whipped cream. Pour dressing over fruit allowing it to drizzle inside the bowl. Chill for at least 1 hr. ~*~ If you decide to grill hamburgers and assorted sausages, serve your condiments in hollowed out red and white bell peppers. Serve sugar cookies that have been cut into star shapes and sprinkled with red/white/blue sugar. You have a meal that everyone will truly enjoy. If your family is geared toward seafood, try grilling swordfish steaks. Grill vegetable packets of eggplant, zucchini, and red bell peppers right alongside the swordfish. Serve fresh blueberries and strawberries that are sprinkled lightly with sugar for dessert. For added treats, serve cherry tomatoes instead of tomato slices, cucumber sticks and assorted melon balls. Your favorite potato salad recipe adds to your meal, as well as a pretty plate of deviled eggs. Brownies, vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce, or even wedges of a moist chocolate layer cake will end your meal in a grand way. Enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday and have fun with family and friends. Enjoy! Oh, by the way, what time did you say dinner was being served?  Recommended ReadingPICNIC: 125 Recipes with 29 Seasonal Menus by DeeDee Stovel Picnics are fun, casual, and somehow the food just tastes better in a beautiful outdoor setting. In PICNIC, DeeDee Stovel offers 28 picnic event ideas with more than 125 recipes - packable repasts from an informal Berry Picking Picnic to an elegant Music Festival Picnic. Although PICNIC includes all of the traditional fare, the recipes for the soups, entrées, salads, and desserts are all a cut above the ordinary. (courtesy: Amazon.com) |
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About the Author: Arleen M. Kaptur has written numerous articles, e-books, and the novel Searching For Austin James. http://www.arleenssite.com http://www.Arleens-RusticLiving.com http://www.rusticliving.info http://www.webspawner.com/users/rusticliving http://topica.com/lists/simpleliving http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members?simple |
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Let's Get Cooking!
