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: 

1. 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 
2. Preheat oven to 350 F 
3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and toast the buns in the pan until golden brown and toasted. 
4. 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. 
5. 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:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F, lightly grease a baking dish and combine shredded cheese in a large bowl and set aside. 
2. Cook the pasta according to the package to al dente. Remove the heat and drain out in a large bowl. 
3. Drizzle olive oil on pasta and mix to coat. Set aside to cool. 
4. Melt butter in a deep saucepan. 
5. Whisk in flour over medium heat and continue whisking for about 1 min until bubbly and golden. 
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Stir in cooked pasta until cheese is fully coated with in pasta 
9. 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 
10. 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:

1. Heat grill to medium-high heat and add the corn 
2. Grill on each side for a few min until some kernels begin to look dar and a little charred
3. Remove from grill and spread mexican crema over the corn 
4. 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:

1. Sliced the chicken into small strips and add to a medium sized bowl 
2. Add also to the bowl soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice wine, zest, orange juice, green onion, and black pepper 
3. Mix the chicken and the marinade ingredients together very well and let rest 
4. Soak 405 wooden skewers in cold water while the chicken marinades 
5. Grilled the chicken, thread it onto the skewers leaving about 2 inches at the top and bottom 
6. Preheat the grill to high heat 
7. Place the skewers on the hot grill and grill for about 4 min on each side. 
8. Garnish with mre green onion, sliced orange zest and red pepper flakes.