Memorial Day 2019

Memorial Day is here! What better way to kick off the summer season than to break out the white jeans and throw a cookout? When we think of entertaining for Memorial Day our favorite menus include cold, refreshing cocktails and great barbeque. Here are some of our favorite menu suggestions for a stress-free and fun holiday weekend to enjoy with your friends and family.

COCKTAILS

Blueberry Mojito

Ingredients

1 cup fresh blueberries (set aside a few for garnish, if desired)
4 ounces rum
10 fresh mint leaves
2 teaspoons white sugar
Juice of 2 limes
6 oz club soda
Ice cubes

Instructions

Blend or muddle blueberries until smooth. Set aside.
Use a muddler or wooden spoon to blend in mint leaves and sugar.
Stir in rum, lime juice, and blueberry mixture.
Pour into glasses over club soda & ice. Gently stir.
Garnish with extra blueberries, lime and mint if desired.

Strawberry Sweet Tea Cocktail

Ingredients

2 parts vodka
3 parts fresh lemonade
3 parts fresh-brewed iced tea
3 strawberries, sliced

Instructions

Pour into a highball glass over ice. Garnish with fresh sliced strawberries.

APPETIZERS

Sausage Wonton Stars

These delicious wontons are perfect for entertaining large groups. Filled with pork sausage, Colby cheese, green and red pepper, and green onion, all ages will love them!

Watermelon Salsa

Watermelon is back in season, thank goodness! This refreshing take on salsa might be the first to vanish from the appetizer table. The combination of the watermelon and mango with the jalapeno and cucumber is so right. You can also use the hollowed out watermelon as a bowl for the salsa. Win, win!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups diced watermelon
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup diced bell pepper, use any combination of colors
1 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
Diced jalapeno pepper (optional)
Fresh lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Combine the diced watermelon in a bowl and add the cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, cilantro, jalapenos (optional), lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Serve and enjoy!

BBQ

What’s more American than Coca-Cola? Our nation’s favorite soft drink also makes a great marinade, thanks to all those sugars and spices. If you want fall-off-the-bone ribs for your Memorial Day BBQ, but don’t have the time to cook them for hours, this may be the only rib recipe you’ll ever need. Say no more!

FOR THE RIBS

1 (1.5 liter) bottle of Coca-Cola (not diet!)
1 large onion, quartered
6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
2 racks baby back ribs (about 4 pounds)

FOR THE SAUCE

2/3 stick unsalted butter
1 small white onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup ketchup
1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 (12 ounce) can Coca-Cola (not diet!)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a large pot, add the (1.5 liter) bottle of Coca-Cola, onion, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Add the ribs and, if necessary, a bit of water just to ensure the ribs are submerged completely. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer, turning the ribs occasionally, until the meat pulls away from the bone - about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, to make the sauce: combine the butter, onion, garlic, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and (12 ounces) Coca-Cola in large heavy sauce pan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring often until sauce is thickened and reduced. Season to taste with salt and pepper and let cool slightly. Using a blender, puree the sauce.

Note: Sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.

Preheat the grill to high.

Remove the ribs from the pot, pat dry, season with salt and pepper and brush liberally with the sauce. Grill, turning often, until charred on the outside, about 8 minutes. Loosely tent the ribs with foil and let rest for 5 minutes before cutting into individual ribs. Serve extra sauce on the side for dipping.

We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend and join us in remembering the servicemen and women who answered America's call.