Memorial Day Food Ideas and Cookout Recipes
Second only to 4th of July, and well ahead of Labor Day, Memorial Day weekend is one of the heaviest barbecue weekends of the year.In addition to being a fine day of remembrance, Memorial Day BBQs are the official kick-off to summer and always involve an immense collection of food. If you’re looking for something fresh and light to ring in the warm weather this year, we’re here to help make your celebration delicious. Below you’ll find an array of scrumptious, summer-filled food ideas that provide a different take on the typical hot dog and burger for your Memorial Day Cookout 2013.
Memorial Day Food Ideas
Try to summer-up your entrées and salads with these twists.
The Burger: Inside-out burger made by forming the beef around the cheese and some of the fixings before cooking. TIP: be sure to use a hard or a semi-hard cheese like Swiss, Gouda, Edam or Cheddar.The Chicken: Margarita chicken cooked with lime, chile pepper and a splash of tequila, and served with a light summer salsa. TIP: serve as a main entrée or cut up and serve in a mixed salad.The Salad: A light vinaigrette-based herb potato salad—with no mayo! TIP: add a squirt of lemon juice and a teaspoon of grated lemon peel for a little zest.Memorial Day Appetizers
Appetizers are really just additional side dishes at a Memorial Day BBQ. Accompany your Memorial Day weekend menu with some of these summer apps.
The dip: Fresh, spicy salsa served with baked tortilla chips. TIP: when you bake your own chips and serve with a spicy enough salsa, you can skip the salt for a healthier—yet still tasty—appetizer.The fruit: Fruit salsa, though technically another dip, is a delightfully sweet appetizer option. TIP: serve the fruit salsa with cinnamon-flavored pita chips for a killer combination.The cheese: Grilled goat cheese may not be the most popular of side dishes, but you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy the taste. TIP: dedicate a small section of the grill for any non-meat food items. That way, vegetarians can enjoy this and other dishes without any contact with meat.For more Memorial Day recipe ideas, visit our Memorial Day Party Ideas Pinterest board.Memorial Day Drink Recipes
Offer a healthy selection of both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, but offer both with a summer variation.
The Cocktail: Watermelon-flavored martinis are the epitome of summer drinks—what’s more “summer” than a watermelon? TIP: serve this as a greeting cocktail, and limit it’s availability to before dinner only.The Beer: Local breweries will have the best selection of summer beers, and fortunately for us Bostonians, Samuel Adams has a deliciously refreshing Summer Ale. TIP: Boston beer lovers have all of New England’s breweries to choose from, including such summer beers as Red God, Fisherman’s Sunrise Saison, Otter Summer and Harpoon Summer Beer.The Lemonade: Arnold Palmers are the traditional half-lemonade, half-iced tea beverage that’s often overlooked at barbecues, but loved by all. TIP: premix the drinks in a large lemonade dispenser and offer the option of adding vodka to the adult beverages.For more Memorial Day drink recipe ideas, visit our Memorial Day Party Ideas Pinterest board.Memorial Day Dessert Recipes
Not many will have room in their bellies for more food after you’ve served them all of the above. Nonetheless, Memorial Day desserts are still a necessary part of the weekend BBQ tradition.
The Crisp: Peach Crisps are sweet and summery in all the right ways. TIP: cook two, leaving one out to eat and the second warming in the oven. Those waiting to digest their meals can still enjoy a warm treat.The Shortcake: Very Berry Shortcake is an easy and customizable meal topper because you can put any combination of your favorite berries (or the most readily available berries) into the recipe. TIP: use blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream to show off a little support for our red, white and blue.The Cookie: Lemon-flavored shortbread cookies are the summer cookies. TIP: leave a few platters of the cookies out on several tables so people can nibble on them as they mingle with other guests.For more Memorial Day dessert recipe ideas, visit our Memorial Day Party Ideas Pinterest board.Healthy Memorial Day Recipes and Ideas
Memorial Day food doesn’t have to be unhealthy. In fact, most of these menu ideas are the lighter versions of standard BBQ food concepts. For an even healthier Memorial Day experience, you can always consider these ideas:Healthy cookout alternatives: Grilled veggie gazpacho, red cabbage coleslaw, veggie baked beans, lettuce wrapped turkey burgers, salmon burgers, water with lemon, unsweetened iced tea, angel food cake with fresh strawberries and fruit sorbet—these are all an even healthier alternative to the Memorial Day appetizers, salads, main dishes, sides, drink and desserts listed above!For more healthy Memorial Day recipe ideas, visit our Memorial Day Party Ideas Pinterest board.Memorial Day Cookout Recipes
Some people might envision how to prepare and cook some of the Memorial Day food ideas above, while others might be looking for the actual recipes. Below you can find the Memorial Day grilling recipes for some of our suggested menu items, in the event that you’re not the creative culinary connoisseur you wish you were. You can still provide something fabulous for the party!
Recipes:Inside-out Burger, recipe makes 4 servingsYou’ll need: ½ lb your choice of cheese, 1 lb lean ground beef, 1½ tsp paprika, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 egg, ½ tsp pepper and your choice of fixings.To prepare: mix beef, spices, sauce and egg in a bowl using your hands. Shape into eight very think patties. Mound ½ tsp cheese into center of four and cover with remaining four patties. Seal the edges with hands. Grill evenly on each side over medium heat. TIP: Do not “press” the patties or the cheese will ooze out.Herb Potato Salad, makes 8 servingsYou’ll need: ¾ cup olive oil, 1 lemon, 1½ tsp grated lemon peel, 1 green pepper, 1 small- to medium-sized onion, ¼ cup each of chopped cilantro, basil and mint and 2½ lb red-skinned potatoes.Directions: Mix oil, juice of 1 lemon and lemon peel in a bowl. Mix in green pepper and onion, finely chopped, and cilantro, basil and mint. Cut already boiled and cooled potatoes into cubes. Mix in with other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.Fruit Salsa, makes 12 servingsYou’ll need: 2 kiwis and 2 green apples, peeled and diced; 1 lb strawberries, diced; 8 oz raspberries, diced; 2 tbsp sugar; 1 tbsp brown sugar; and 3 tbsp fruit preserves.Directions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving.Watermelon Martini, makes 8 servingsYou’ll need: ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water, 5 cups seedless watermelon, 1¼ cup vodka, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 3 oz watermelon schnapps.Directions: Boil the sugar and water until sugar is dissolved. In a blender, puree the watermelon. Blend the sugar water, watermelon, vodka, lemon juice and schnapps. Sweeten with simple syrup to taste and serve with watermelon garnish.Very Berry Shortcake, makes 8 servingsYou’ll need: 1 lb sliced strawberries, ½ lb blueberries, ½ lb raspberries, 1/3 cup sugar, juice from one lemon, 8 ounces Greek yogurt, 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup sugar, 2 tbsp brown sugar and 8 store-bought or handmade biscuits.Directions: In a large bowl, mix berries, 1/3 cup sugar and juice from one lemon. Refrigerate. In a medium bowl, whip yogurt, cream, ½ cup sugar and brown sugar until fluffy and stiff. To serve, cut biscuits in half and spoon on berry mixture and sweet yogurt whipped cream. Cover with top half of biscuit and serve.Fun Memorial Day Family Activities
This weekend is about getting up and having fun as much as it is about eating. Try these fun, family-friendly Memorial Day activities to loosen up the party and cause a little laughter.The games: pickup slow-pitch softball game, badminton, volleyball, horseshoes, swimming or water games, card games, card tournament between tables, guess-the-amount-of-candy-in-a-jar game, bocce ball, lawn darts, Frisbee golf and, the ultimate barbecue game that all Memorial Day cookouts must have: bags, or, as some people call it, cornhole.For more fun Memorial Day celebration ideas, visit our Memorial Day Party Ideas Pinterest board.
How to Host a Cinco de Mayo Party
Cinco de Mayo—the fifth of May—is one of the largest Mexican and Mexican-American observations of the year.It commemorates Mexico’s surprising victory against the French in La Batalla de Puebla as well as celebrates Mexican heritage well across North America.These days, you don’t have to be of Mexican descent to wear a sombrero and sip a margarita in celebration. In fact, we’d like to share with you some party tips and hosting ideas for your Cinco de Mayo party.
Creative Cinco de Mayo Food Ideas
There’s something fun and spicy about the colorful Cinco de Mayo celebration. It’s an occasion open to so many creative possibilities, beginning with the cuisine. From Mexican favorites to flavorful twists on classics, consider these Mexican menu ideas:- Pineapple salsa with corn chips
- Chicken fajitas with peppers, onions and chipotle en adobo
- Roasted green beans with Latin spices
- Tortilla romaine salad with grape tomatoes, peppers, onions, Cotija cheese and strands of tortilla
Visit our Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas board on Pinterest for more creative Cinco de Mayo recipe ideas.Cinco de Mayo Decoration Ideas
Bold, bright colors should adorn your entire set up on Cinco de Mayo; it is a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration whose famous décor and architecture are amongst some of the most colorful in the world. Pinks, oranges, yellows, greens and blues…they all have a place on the table.Consider using:- Brightly colored flags and banners
- Lots of green, white and red
- Paper flowers and paper lanterns
- Colorful fabrics to use as table linens
- Colorful napkins and place settings
Visit our Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas board on Pinterest for photos of even more Cinco de Mayo decoration ideas.Cinco de Mayo Party Games
While most know that a piñata truly is a must-have for your Cinco de Mayo party, your guests will likely desire additional games to play throughout the day or night. As most Cinco de Mayo fiestas are multi-generational, consider breaking down the itinerary with games for adults and children.- For the kiddies, try the “Pass the Orange” game. Break everyone into two teams. One person on each team holds an orange underneath his chin and passes it to the next person on his team. The trick is no hands allowed, and no dropping the orange, or you must start over.
- For the adults, chili pepper eating contest is a spicy favorite not meant for the weak of taste buds. Line up contestants with a bowl full of chili peppers and a one-minute time limit.
- For both kids and adults, Mexican “kick ball” is a traditional Mexican party game. Set up two identical obstacle courses through which two teams must dribble a soccer ball. When the contestants reach the end of the course, they run back to their original starting point and pass the soccer ball to the next contestant.
Cinco de Mayo Music
Load your iPods and smart phones with traditional Mexican music—that means meringue, salsa, Latin and, perhaps most of all, mariachi. With this great, upbeat music, you can expect to have people up and dancing the meringue, salsa, rumba and mambo at any moment—so it would be wise to incorporate an open space in your layout to use as a dance floor.Consider including these artists in your repertoire:- Vincente Fernández and son Alejandro Fernández
- Luis Miguel
- Carlos Santana
- Los Tigres del Norte
- Juan Luis Guerra
- Maná
- Selena
For more great Cinco de Mayo party ideas, visit our Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas board on Pinterest.
10 Ideas for a Beautiful Wedding Table Setting
Using unique wedding table decoration ideas for your Boston wedding
Your wedding reception table settings and designs matter! If you’re looking for wedding tablescape ideas, we have put together a list of ten unique ideas (with photos!) to give your reception a romantic, distinct ambiance.
Consider using high rectangular tables instead of traditional round tables. The first step to a unique wedding table setup starts with your table! Using high rectangular tables instead of the traditional round tables adds some dimension and a splash of modern glamour.
Deconstructed flower arrangements displayed at different heights on tables make great unique touches. What’s a wedding tablescape without a centerpiece? Bouquets of flowers are very traditional, so instead of the norm, try a deconstructed flower arrangement. For added dimension, display the arrangements at different heights.
Don’t be afraid of mixing patterns and textures. In this tablescape, we used a mirror charger with art deco-style china, wire ball accessories, contemporary square wine glasses and silverware, crystal beaded napkin rings and a lot of clear, oversized round vases. The patterns and textures, though different, tie together beautifully and enhance the chic-ness of the high rectangular table.
Use one signature or feature color with a single color pallet (such as black and white). In this wedding table design, we used an eggplant purple as the featured splash of color, and it adds just the right amount of energy.
Mirrors can help reflect and scatter light. Mirrors paired with candles (and other sources of light) increase the romantic ambiance at any table—especially during the evening—which is perfect for a wedding reception.
Try scattering tea lights around the table. Each guest will feel special with his or her own twinkling light, and since our table centerpieces incorporate mirrors, the scattered tea lights will add even more romantic energy.
Mixing world styles on your table is so in! This wedding place setting is reminiscent of a 1940s New York City, while the deconstructed white orchids and bamboo flower arrangements are Asian-inspired. See how well the two collaborate to create a beautiful tablescape!
Add little culinary twists on your table. Doing something a bit out-of-the-box will inspire and surprise guests. The small, unique table setting elements will complement the entire table design.
Work with your event planner or rental company to explore and play with different table setting options. Wedding table settings are a brilliant outlet for couples to express originality. We love to explore creativity with clients to help them transform wedding receptions into unique and beautiful occasions. Play around with setting ideas together as a couple before choosing the perfect table setting for your wedding.
The table design or the venue—which comes first? Either one! This beautiful, unique table design fits wonderfully in an urban setting, or brings a nod to contemporary design in a traditional space. Either way, neither you nor your guests will forget such a beautiful, important element to your wedding reception atmosphere.