How to Make Memorial Day Recipes 

The need for learning how to make Memorial Day recipes is quickly approaching. In a couple of weeks will be the first holiday of our summer season. It is time to bring out those barbeque grills, clean up the barbeque pits, freshen up the picnic table and bring out the lawn furniture. It is a time to enjoy the warm summer sun outdoors with family and friends. The summer holidays are a time when most Americans proudly fly our flag.


This was always a special day in our family. Mom and Dad spent time separating and planting flowers in the fall. By Memorial Day the flower garden was usually in full bloom of many colors. Very early in the morning, we would cut flowers and make beautiful bouquets in jars. We then went to both my mother’s family cemetery and my father’s family cemetery. We filled each jar with water at the church and placed flowers on every grave which belonged to our family. Many of which I did not know, but it was tradition to remember all of them on this day.

My Paternal GrandparentsMy Paternal Grandparents

Two of the flower bouquets were for my paternal grandparents. My grandmother died when she was still young so I never met her, however I heard all my life how beautiful she was. I do remember when I was very young being at my grandfather’s house for a barbeque. I remember thinking that I had never seen so many people in my life! Rumor has it that my grandfather was quite sociable, having large fish fries and barbeques all summer long. It is too bad I wasn’t old enough to learn how to make some of those Memorial Day recipes! I would be sending those to you.


After the ritual of decorating our family grave sites, we would return home and get ready for the afternoon and evening picnic in our back yard. Most of the family learned how to make some new Memorial Day recipes and prepared old traditional ones to bring to the picnic. They were made the day before and ready in the refrigerator for the picnic. Dishes like baked beans would be placed in the oven to bake. The meat would be made ready to go on the big barbeque pit in our yard. The outdoor cooking was left to the men in the family. Dad, my brothers and brother-in-laws all knew how to cook.


Our large family, all bringing their favorite Memorial Day recipes, would gather for the entire day. Often extended family would show up also. Some would bring their music instruments and play throughout the day. What a great time!

HOW TO MAKE CARROT CAKE

How to Make a Carrot CakeHow to Make a Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake is a favorite cake recipe of mine and of many people. The following is delicious and is very convenient to take to a picnic or holiday gathering.

Cake batter:

  • 2 Cups sifted flour
  • 2 Teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 Teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Cup oil
  • ¼ Cup buttermilk
  • 3 Eggs
  • 2 Cups sugar
  • 2 Cups shredded carrots
  • 8 Ounces crushed drained pineapple
  • 1 1/3 Cups shredded coconut
  • 1 Cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Grease and lightly flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.

Sift together the sifted flour, soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside. In a mixer bowl, combine the oil, buttermilk, sugar and eggs; beat until well blended. Add the flour mixture, pineapple, carrots, walnuts and coconut; mix until well blended. Pour into prepared baking pan and bake about 45 minutes or until a pick entered in the center comes out clean.

Glaze: Heat ¾ cup sugar with 1/3 cup buttermilk in a saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Punch holes in all over the top of the hot cake. Then pour hot sauce over the hot cake. Let set to cool.

Frosting:

  • 8 Ounces soft cream cheese
  • ¼ Cup soft butter
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Pound powdered sugar

Cream together the cream cheese and butter. Add vanilla and gradually add the powdered sugar. Beat until blended and smooth. Spread over top of the cold cake.

HOW TO MAKE MEMORIAL DAY RECIPES like this
MASHED POTATOES CASSEROLE RECIPE 

The following is one of the great Memorial Day recipes. Not only does it taste delicious, but it can be prepared the day before and baked right before your picnic.

  • 6 Cups mashed potatoes
  • 3 Cups creamy cottage cheese
  • ¾ Cups sour cream
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons chopped green onion
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1/8 Teaspoon black pepper
  • Melted butter
  • Slivered almonds

Combine the mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, sour cream, green onions, salt, seasoned salt and pepper. Mix until well blended and smooth. Spread mixture into a buttered casserole baking dish. Cover the top with almonds and melted butter. Bake for 30 minutes in a preheated oven at 350F degrees.

FISH FRY RECIPE

  • 4 Large fish fillets
  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt/pepper

Fish can be fried on a camp stove or over hot coals.
Set skillet on camp stove and heat oil.
Add fish, season with salt and pepper; cook about 3 minutes on each side until fish is opaque.
You can place the lid of a Dutch oven over hot coals on a lid holder.
Preheat lid 5 minutes; brush lid with oil; add fish and season with salt and pepper.
Cook about 3 minutes on each side until opaque.

DUTCH OVEN CHICKEN RECIPE

For many people, Memorial Day recipes include camping recipes; this day is typically thought of as the beginning of summer and the beginning of the camping season.

  • 12 slices bacon (6 whole slices and 6 cut in quarters)
  • 6 Skinless boneless chicken breasts
  • 2 Cloves diced garlic
  • ½ Cup butter
  • 1 Can (16 ounces) chicken broth
  • 2 Cups long grain brown rice
  • 2 Cups fresh mushrooms
  • 2 Tablespoons sage
  • ½ Teaspoon pepper
  • ½ Tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 2 Cans (10 ¾ ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup

Place 12 coals on the bottom and 12 coals on the top cooking bacon in Dutch oven.
Remove whole slices; drain grease leaving the quarter pieces in the Dutch oven.
Pound chicken slightly until thin and workable to roll.
Place 1 slice of bacon on breast; roll securing with a toothpick.
Add garlic and butter to quartered bacon; sauté until butter is melted.
Place chicken rolls in Dutch oven and brown on all sides; remove chicken and set aside.
Add chicken broth, rice, mushrooms, sage, pepper, onion powder and Worcestershire sauce.
Stir mixture lightly to blend; place chicken rolls on top of rice.
Place broccoli around and in between chicken; Place dollops of soup around Dutch oven.
Cover and let cook for 35 to 45 minutes until done.