Marvelous Memorial Day Recipes

Yikes, picnic season is here without any warning other than the calendar telling us it's here. To make your life easier, I've come up with some marvelous Memorial Day recipes. They're really good for any picnic that lies in your future. As always, there's something for everyone.

Let's start with dessert, why not? I know, it's a bit out of order and everything but that's OK. The first recipe is for Aunt Lou's $200.00 cake, No, it really doesn't cost $200.00 to make. This is an old family recipe dating back to circa 1940.  I ran this through the CPI inflation calculator to try to get an idea, in today’s dollars, what this cake is worth just for fun.   So here you go, a cake in 1940 that was $200 would be valued at  $3,341.66 in 2014!  Wow, that would rank up there with cakes made by Chef Duff!

Next! how about a deliciously bright Mango Tomatillo Salsa? This simple appetizer will add a pop of color to your table. Make sure you thoroughly remove the husk and rinse the tomatillos. The husk can leave a bit of a sticky residue that you don’t want in your mango tomatillo salsa. Tomatillos are super tart, so they pair up nicely with the deliciously sweet mangoes. Tomatillos have been around for a long time, since about 800 B.C. They were initially domesticated by the Aztecs who included them into many of their dishes.

More dessert, why not? This one is actually really light: Orange and Lemon Pie. Bright citrus taste. This orange and lemon pie reminds me “a little” of key lime pie, minus the gazillion calories. This is a healthier version, let’s say. It’s refreshing, easy to make, and fairly inexpensive. It is also light, fluffy and delicious. All in all, a perfect summer dessert!  How are you liking this list of marvelous Memorial Day recipes so far?

Korean Barbecue Pork Chops. Add a bit of an ethnic flair to your picnic fare. Korean barbecue pork chops have a sweet and spicy taste that will make your taste buds burst into song. They go with just about anything: picnic favorites, jasmine rice, delicious salad greens, you name it! According to what I’ve been reading, Koreans love their pork. Many of Korea’s culinary traditions comes from China, since for centuries China heavily influenced the culture of East Asia.

Ok, here's the salad. Do you like this list of Marvelous Memorial Day Recipes so far? I hope you do I gave these choices a lot of thought, just for you. So here's one recipe that is super healthy, refreshing and delicious: Black Bean, Feta, Red Onion, Basil and Tomato salad. Black beans are native to Central America and Mexico. Archaeologists believe that black beans were first cultivated around 5,000 years ago.

And now for another tasty appetizer: Mini Beef Empanadas. These babies are a staple in my house; it's an easy to make recipe especially when you use the pre-made pie dough.  Empanadas are savory turnovers common throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Every country has their own variation of seasonings and ingredients adapted of course to regional taste and culinary traditions.

And while we are talking about appetizers, how about some Thai Style Chicken Wings? YUMMY! Thai style chicken wings add a cool ethnic flair to any summer picnic, or appetizer party. I know, chicken wings are not exactly Thai fare, but they are a  tasty way to enjoy this party staple.

If you need something that is a real crowd pleaser and can go a long way, why not make these Authentic Mexican Pork Carnitas? You can use them in so many ways. This is one of my most popular posts. I would have to say that carnitas' culinary pulled pork is a US favorite. Its Latin American/Caribbean counterpart is definitely pernil. All  in all, this is a flavorful dish that will be a hit at your picnic.

Hey, where are the drinks I am sure you are saying. I am getting thirsty. Look no further here are is an awesome libation to add to the list of marvelous Memorial Day recipes list: Pomegranate Margarita. Red. Beautiful. Refreshing. Pomegranates have become very popular these days, and given their health benefits I can certainly see why. They are a powerhouse of antioxidants and contain other nutrients such as vitamin C and K as well as folic acid. And for the record, I am not saying pomegranate margaritas are health food.

Another wonderful appetizer: Shrimp Ceviche, a take on the more traditional ceviche. The origins of ceviche are as confusing as its multiple spellings. The commonly held and accepted belief in Latin America is that ceviche is a Peruvian contribution to the world of cooking.  Another possible theory states that the Arab cooks that the European nobility brought with them to the New World created a ceviche-like dish with lemons they had brought from their native homelands (lemons originated in the Middle East, by the way) and planted in the Americas.

In addition to the pomegranate margarita, here's another beverage: Rosewater Lemonade. I totally love the floral taste of this lemony drink. Cleopatra was a lover of roses. It is said she filled the floors of entire rooms with rose petals. Her display of opulence was used to seduce Marc Anthony and she succeeded!  The sails of her barge were sprayed with rosewater so the scent of roses would announce her presence.

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