Memorial Day – A Southern Living Recipe Roundup
The Memorial Day holiday is almost here! For many of us, it’s a lovely three-day weekend to gather with family and friends. The warmer weather makes for fantastic barbecues and picnics to help ring in summer. Or better yet, a fun-filled boat excursion with delicious drinks and snacks to nosh on. But what to make? No worries — we’ve put together a roundup of delicious recipes, all courtesy of our good friends at Southern Living.
We are a Southern Living-inspired community, after all! Try a few of these recipes for your Memorial Day gathering, and you’ll be sure to impress your guests.
Lime Fizz
This fizzy, lime-flavored drink is the perfect kids’ cool-me-down on hot summer afternoons after a day at the ballpark, in the yard, or biking with friends. For an adult version, stir 2/3 cup vodka in with simple syrup.
Ingredients
Crushed ice
3/4 to 1 cup Lime Simple Syrup
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
3 1/2 cups chilled club soda
How to Make It
Fill a large pitcher with crushed ice. Pour Lime Simple Syrup and lime juice over ice. Add club soda, and stir gently to combine. Serve immediately.
BBQ-Ranch Popcorn
You may want to get creative and try other flavors, like chili powder-lime zest and cinnamon-sugar.
Ingredients
1 (1-oz.) envelope Ranch dressing mix
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
2 (86.8-gram) bag gourmet microwave popcorn
How to Make It
Step 1
Stir together Ranch dressing mix, paprika, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Prepare 1 bag gourmet microwave popcorn according to package directions, and pour into a large bowl. Sprinkle immediately with half of the Ranch mixture, tossing to coat.
Step 2
Prepare the second bag of popcorn according to package directions. Add to bowl with seasoned popcorn, and toss with remaining Ranch mixture. Store popcorn in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Fruit, Cheese, and Herb Skewers
Stack various combinations of fruit, mozzarella cheese, and herbs on 6-inch wooden skewers for a fun and fresh party appetizer that can be made up to three hours ahead of time.
Ingredients
Basil leaves
Fresh small mozzarella cheese balls
Blackberries
Mint leaves
Raspberries
Strawberries
Blueberries
How to Make It
Step 1
Blackberry Skewers: 2 basil leaves, 2 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, 2 to 3 blackberries
Step 2
Raspberry Skewers: 2 mint leaves, 2 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, 4 raspberries
Step 3
Strawberry Skewers: 1 large basil leaf, torn in half; 2 strawberries; 1 fresh small mozzarella cheese ball
Step 4
Blueberry Skewers: 1 large basil leaf, torn in half; 6 blueberries; 2 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls
Fried Chicken Bites
Perfect for a picnic, these spicy fried chicken nuggets are great dipped in honey mustard or blue cheese dressing.
Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons to 1 Tbsp. ground red pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground chipotle chile pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried crushed red pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 pounds skinned and boned chicken breasts
2 cups buttermilk
3 bread slices, toasted
1 cup all-purpose flour Peanut oil
Blue cheese dressing or honey mustard dressing
How to Make It
Step 1
Combine first 7 ingredients in a small bowl; reserve half of spice mixture. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Place chicken in a medium bowl, and toss with remaining spice mixture until coated. Stir in buttermilk; cover and chill 24 hours.
Step 2
Tear bread into pieces, and place in a food processor with reserved spice mixture. Process until mixture resembles cornmeal. Stir in flour. Remove chicken pieces from buttermilk, discarding buttermilk. Dredge chicken in breadcrumb mixture.
Step 3
Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into a Dutch oven; heat to 350°. Fry chicken, in batches, 6 to 7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and done. Drain on a wire rack over paper towels. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Serve warm or cold with blue cheese dressing or honey mustard.
Root Beer Baked Beans
Transform canned pork and beans into superb baked beans by stirring in peppery-sweet root beer, dry mustard, and hot sauce. The 5-minute prep time might make this dish one of your summertime favorites.
Ingredients
3 bacon slices
1 small onion, diced
2 (16-ounce) cans pork and beans
1/2 cup root beer (not diet)
1/4 cup hickory-smoked barbecue sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon hot sauce
How to Make It
Step 1
Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp; remove and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon.
Step 2
Sauté diced onion in hot bacon drippings in skillet over high heat 5 minutes or until tender. Stir together onion, crumbled bacon, beans, and remaining ingredients in a lightly greased 1-quart baking dish.
Step 3
Bake beans, uncovered, at 400° for 55 minutes or until sauce is thickened.
Praline Key Lime Pie
This chilled, creamy pie is the dessert equivalent of a swimming hole–so refreshing you can’t help but dive in. Garnish with lime slices and lime zest curls, if desired.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. jarred caramel topping
2 (14-oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk
6 egg yolks
2 teaspoons Key lime or lime zest
1 cup fresh Key lime or lime juice
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
Step 2
Stir together graham cracker crumbs, next 2 ingredients, and 1/2 cup toasted pecans until blended. Press crumb mixture on bottom, up sides, and onto the lip of a lightly greased 10-inch deep-dish pie plate.
Step 3
Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 45 minutes).
Step 4
Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup toasted pecans over bottom of crust; drizzle caramel topping over pecans.
Step 5
Whisk together sweetened condensed milk and next 3 ingredients. Gently pour into prepared crust.
Step 6
Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until almost set. (The center will not be firm but will set up as it chills.) Cool completely on a wire rack (about 1 hour). Cover and chill 4 hours.
Step 7
Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Dollop or spread over pie.
From our family to yours, we wish you a deliciously fun holiday weekend.