This Memorial Day weekend, as with previous years, many families will be gathering to honor fallen soldiers and vets. Here are 5 fun recipes to consider making this weekend while grilling, picnicing and hanging out with family and friends.
Mom’s Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients:
2 liter Sprite
1 can frozen lemonade
3 cans water
1 package kool-aid lemonade
1 cup sugar
fresh or frozen berries
lemon slices
lots of ice
Directions: Mix everything together in a large drink container. This punch is super sweet, but always a hit at a party.
Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
12 ounces rotini pasta
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into strips
1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
4 roma (plum) tomato, diced
1/4 cup Italian-style salad dressing
Directions
In a large pot with boiling salted water cook pasta until al dente. Drain.
Meanwhile, season chicken strips with lemon pepper and garlic powder. Broil in oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until juices run clear. Cool chicken. Cut into bite size pieces.
In a large bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, chicken, quartered tomatoes, and feta cheese.
Serve with Italian dressing poured over top of pasta.
Ingredients
12 hard boiled egg, cooled and peeled
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pinch sugar
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika, for garnish
Directions
1. Slice the eggs in half from top to bottom. Scoop the yolks into a medium mixing bowl and lay the whites aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, cayenne pepper and sugar using a fork; stir to thoroughly combine.
3. Place the yolk mixture into a zip-top plastic bag and cut a small hole at one of the corners. Pipe the mixture into each of the white halves.
4. For the boat sails, cut each bell pepper into 1-inch wide strips. Cut each strip into 1-inch squares and slice each square diagonally to make a triangle. Stick each sail upright into yolk mixture and sprinkle with paprika.
5. Chill for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator before serving.
Kid’s Macaroni
Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package uncooked elbow macaroni
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup green onions, sliced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
Directions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold running water.
In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, green onions and jalapeno peppers. Stir in the macaroni. Refrigerate until chilled before serving, at least 30 minutes.
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
Easy White Icing
Sprinkles (optional)
Flag Cup Cakes
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners.
Into a medium bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, then beat in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with sour cream and beginning and ending with flour.
Pour batter into cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.
Cool in pan 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then spread with Easy White Icing using a table knife or small offset spatula. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.
Decorate patriotic cupcakes in July with stars piped in blue buttercream and stripes cut from red licorice laces.
