May 26 2011

Memorial Day Recipes

adorned with berries

After considering a dozen various dessert recipes for my parents’ Memorial Day weekend cookout, it was my three year old niece who inadvertently made the decision for me.

When I made my red velvet birthday cake, I sent leftovers throughout the family, so everyone could have some. I’ve never seen K turn down cake before, and considering her love of blueberries, I can’t say I was shocked to hear that she liked this cake.

Well, about a week later, she asked for cake. Confused, my sister-in-law and mom looked at each other, then explained there wasn’t any cake. And K insisted, “I want some of Sara’s cake!” (I wasn’t there, I’m paraphrasing what my mom told me, as well as what my dad told me. But we all get the gist of it, right?)

So, a pint-size toddler made the decision for me – I will be making red velvet cupcakes, from one of the recipes I’ve already posted here. Because I’m not doing something new, I thought I would share some of my favorite patriotic holiday/cookout recipes of all types prior to the weekend.

simple fruit salad

Simple Fruit Salad

premixed slaw
Coriander Carrot Slaw

potatoes
Grilled Baby Potatoes

chicken & fruit salad
Chicken & Fruit Salad

Sesame Chicken Pasta
Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad – this dish tastes better when it’s made a day ahead of time

par-baked pizza crust
Pre-baked Pizza Crusts – top with your favorite pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings, then grill until cheese melts

tuscan chicken
Grilled Chicken

Bacon Jam
Bacon Jam – the perfect condiment to add to burgers, sandwiches, and even hot dogs

boozy steak sandwich
Steak Sandwiches – simply grill the vegetables and steak, slice, and serve in sandwich form

Soft Pretzel
Soft Pretzels – great for parties

red velvet cupcakes

Red Velvet Cupcakes – topped with white icing and blue sprinkles, they’re perfect for the holiday

serving cake
Red Velvet Cake – can easily make into cupcakes – keep the blueberries and raspberries for a festive touch

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with White Chocolate Buttercream
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with White Chocolate Buttercream – a food-coloring free option

Tres Leches Cake
Tres Leches Cake – get some fruit with your cake

Salted Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes
Salted Peanut Butter Cupcakes – chocolate + peanut butter = all-American favorite

key lime cupcake
Key Lime Cupcakes – they may not be red, white, and blue, but they use limes that only grow in the Florida Keys, making them truly all-American

chocolate cupcakes

Gluten- & Sugar-Free Chocolate Cupcakes – just about anyone can enjoy these

oreo close-up

Homemade Oreos – perfect indoors or out

party cookies - cropped
Party Cookies – an all-time favorite recipe

cookies and coffee
Chocolate Chip Cookies (with nuts) – the addition of finely chopped pecans makes these cookies taste extra buttery

cookie
Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies (NY Times recipe) – start the dough a day or two ahead of time!

hot fudge cookie sundae

Hot Fudge Cookie Sundaes

cookies and milk on table
Cherry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Millionaire's Shortbread
Millionaire’s Shortbread – my runner up for the cookout

brownies
Fudgy Brownies

chocolate & peanut butter rice krispy bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Bars – everyone of all ages will love these

Barefoot Contessa's Lemon Bars
Lemon Bars – end the meal with a sweet-tart finish

Barefoot Contessa's Frozen Key Lime Pie
Frozen Key Lime Pie – for cookouts close to home

apple pie a la mode
Crumble Apple Pie – easily turn this into a double crust pie, for a less messy alternative (simply double the ingredients for the crust)

apple tartlet
Apple Tartlets

fruit tartelettes
Fruit Tartlets

2 responses so far

2 Responses to “Memorial Day Recipes”

  1. Coco200066on 26 May 2011 at 2:27 pm

    Wow….you have so many wonderful recipes and beautiful pictures, my mouth is watering! Can’t wait to try some of these. Thank you for sharing.

  2. Sandraon 29 May 2011 at 6:26 pm

    Too bad I can’t prepare all of these yummy dishes for Memorial Day. I’ll be content to just drool over them. Have a peaceful holiday and I’m sharing a blogger award with you. Surf on over to my site and check it out.

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