Memorial Day Fun

Memorial Day brings families together, usually with good food. Picnics, pitch-ins, and cookouts are words frequently associated with Memorial Day. There are usually family favorites at these gatherings, and I encourage you to go around and get the recipes directly from the cook if you like something. I can't tell you how many times I have heard people talk about a favorite dish that so and so used to make and now that this person has passed away, no one has the recipe to recreate the dish for future generations to enjoy. This is a great way to start a family cookbook.

Some commonly enjoyed Memorial Day meals consist of BBQ or fried chicken, deviled eggs, potato salads, cole slaw, pickles, chips and dip, grilled hamburgers, hotdogs and brats, macaroni & cheese, baked beans, and vegetable trays.

Don't forget the dessert either... cookies, brownies, pies, jello jigglers, pudding, icecream and more!!

No one wants to spend hours preparing for the Memorial Day feast or cleaning up after it, so here are some ideas and recipes to make it simpler on you.

For cute table decorations, take glass jars (all shapes and sizes, you can use mayo, jelly, pickle jars, etc.) and tie raffia in a bow around the top. Fill half-way with water and place fresh cut flowers (you can even use wild flowers) in them. For an added touch of cuteness, add some of those little American flags you can purchase and stick 1-2 in each jar with the flowers.

Bowls of fresh fruit can make nice centerpieces as well... just fill them with bright colorful fruits like bananas, oranges, red and green apples, etc.

When it comes to planning the menu, keep in mind that people do not expect a gourmet meal. Even if you are only cooking dinner for your own family, keep it simple. You want to spend the day relaxing and enjoying time with them, not in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.

Consider digging that crockpot out and cooking something in it. There are all kinds of traditional dishes you can cook in the crockpot which will save you time.

All Day Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

4 cups (16 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided - you can use Velveeta for a creamer mac & cheese

1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups milk

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Place the cooked macaroni in a 3 1/2-quart (or larger) slow cooker that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray. Reserve 1 cup of the cheese; add the remaining cheese and the other ingredients to the macaroni and mix well. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese, then cover and cook on the low setting for 5 to 6 hours or until the mixture is firm and golden around the edges. Do not remove the cover or stir until the mixture has finished cooking.

The copyright of the article Memorial Day Fun in Family Recipes is owned by Michelle Marshall. Permission to republish Memorial Day Fun in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Go To Page: 1 2 3

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic