Celebrate this Memorial Day with classic recipes with friends and families as appetizers, sides, or a main course. With warm weather approaching, it’s time for a summertime cookout. This holiday is an opportunity to be outside, enjoying the weather with delicious food within your backyard or going on a picnic this upcoming holiday weekend.
Cheeseburgers: Cheeseburgers are a delicious and classic Memorial Day meal to enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (80%)
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- 4-8 Burger buns
- ⅓ cup yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp butter
- 8 slices American cheese
- 4-8 tomato slices
- 4-8 red onion slices
- 8 pickle slices
- 8 burger-size lettuce leaves
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, salt and pepper and mix well. Divide into eight equal portions and shape them into burger patties. Refrigerate for 30 min
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and toast the buns in the pan until golden brown and toasted.
- Remove the burger from the fridge and smear 1 tablespoon of mustard on both sides of the patties, Melt butter on a preheated pan and fry the burgers for 3-4 min if you prefer medium cooked burgers. 5-6 min if you prefer well-done burgers.
- Transfer the patties on the bun and top with cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles
Baked Mac and Cheese: homemade mac and cheese is a delicious recipe to serve as a side dish this Memorial Day
Ingredients:
- 16 oz elbow macaroni (cooked)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1.3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipped cream
- 4 cup sharp cheese (shredded)
- 2 cups gruyere cheese shredded
- Salt and pepper
- 1 ½ cup panko crumbs
- 4 tbsp butter melted
- ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- ¼ tbsp smoked paprika
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F, lightly grease a baking dish and combine shredded cheese in a large bowl and set aside.
- Cook the pasta according to the package to al dente. Remove the heat and drain out in a large bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil on pasta and mix to coat. Set aside to cool.
- Melt butter in a deep saucepan.
- Whisk in flour over medium heat and continue whisking for about 1 min until bubbly and golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until nice and smooth. Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface and then continue cooking and whisking for another 2 min whisk in salt and pepper.
- Add two cups of shredded cheese and whisk until smooth. Add another two cups of shredded cheese and continue whisking until creamy and smooth. Sauce should be nice and thick.
- Stir in cooked pasta until cheese is fully coated with in pasta
- Pour half of the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese and then the remaining mac and cheese
- In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown about 30 min.
Mexican Street Corn: Mexican street corn is a delicious and festive appetizer or side dish to serve this Memorial day.
Ingredients:
- 6-8 ears of corn husked
- Mexican cremo
- Cotija cheese
- Chili powder or smoked paprika
- 2 limes
- Fresh cilantro
Steps:
- Heat grill to medium-high heat and add the corn
- Grill on each side for a few min until some kernels begin to look dar and a little charred
- Remove from grill and spread mexican crema over the corn
- Sprinkle lightly the cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice and top with cilantro
Grilled Chicken Skewers: grilled chicken skewers is a yummy appetizer to serve this Memorial Day
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1.2 cup soy sauce
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp brown sugar ‘1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- Zest of 1 orange
- ¼ cup of orange juice
- ¼ cup green onions sliced
- Pinch black pepper
Steps:
- Sliced the chicken into small strips and add to a medium sized bowl
- Add also to the bowl soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice wine, zest, orange juice, green onion, and black pepper
- Mix the chicken and the marinade ingredients together very well and let rest
- Soak 405 wooden skewers in cold water while the chicken marinades
- Grilled the chicken, thread it onto the skewers leaving about 2 inches at the top and bottom
- Preheat the grill to high heat
- Place the skewers on the hot grill and grill for about 4 min on each side.
- Garnish with mre green onion, sliced orange zest and red pepper flakes.
