Memorial Day - Decoration Day
Memorial Day Celebrations, Picnics, and Cook-Outs

  Home    |   Recipe Indexes   |   Dinner Party Menus   |   Food History   |   Diet - Health - Beauty

Baking Corner |  Regional Foods | Cooking Articles Hints & Tips | Culinary Dictionary | Newspaper Columns



 

Did You Know?

The word "picnic" comes from the French word  "pique-nique" meaning "a fashionable social entertainment" in which each guest brings a contribution to the feast. In other words, pique-nique was a fancy way of saying "potluck."
 


Have a Safe and Fun Memorial Day Holiday

Food safety is the most important part of picnic planning, as  food can spoil very quickly out of refrigeration. It is important to keep  food safety in mind when planning for and packing a picnic.

Advice on Handling Leftovers Safely
Leftover" foods are cooked foods that you or your family does not eat within 2 hours after they are cooked. The chance of food poisoning increases the longer you store a food after it is cooked. Improper handling or storing cooked food is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the home.

Buffet and Party Safety - Have a safe and fun party.

Food Safety - Golden rules of food safety.

Using a Cooking or Meat Thermometer For the perfect prime rib, turkey, or ham for your Thanksgiving dinner. Have you ever cut into a roast or a turkey to see if it has finished cooking? Never guess if your meat is done again!

Purchase and Use a Good Instant-Read Thermometers

Meat and Seafood Internal Temperature Cooking Chart

Picnic Safety Tips
There is also one sure thing at every picnic-lots of good food. The important point is to have safe and healthy food, not food that can cause food borne illness.

Summer Safety Tips
Summer is the time for barbecues and picnics. The biggest party crasher at summer picnic and buffets is food borne bacteria. You can't see them, you can't taste them - but you sure can feel them if illness occurs hours or days later.

 

 

 


Memorial Day is more than just a 3-day weekend or marking the start of summer!

Originally known as Decoration Day, it was established in 1868 to commemorate the dead from the Civil War. Over the years it came to serve as a day to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action in all wars. Without their sacrifices we would not be free to ask questions, to challenge our political leaders, and to take an active role in our system of government. To them we owe an unrepayable debt. Please also remember and honor our present veterans and soldiers overseas.

Please share with your children and grandchildren the real purpose of Memorial Day. While it is traditional and fun to go on picnics and camping, our children should still be taught the true meaning of this holiday and why we recognize Memorial Day. Take the time to do something with your family and friends. What could be better than sharing a wonderful meal together?

How about an old-fashioned Picnic?

Memorial Day has become synonymous with the beginning of summer by celebrating with barbecues, outdoor cooking, camping, and summer fun. While regional variations are numerous, there are still favorite dishes and foods which immediately come to mind. How about fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade or sweet tea, and apple pie?  If this sounds good, check out some of America's favorite summer foods below.

Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers
Hot Dogs
Fried Chicken
Favorite Potato Salad
Baked or Barbecued Beans
Pie Recipes - All your favorite pies (apple, blackberry, lemon meringue, and many more pies)
Corn On The Cob
Old-Fashioned Lemonade
Sweet Tea
Ice Cream (any flavor)
Chips (various flavors) and Dip
 

Great Grilling and Barbecuing

Take advantage of the weather and fire up the grill on your Memorial Day holiday weekend – Check out these great grilling and barbecuing recipes to help make your holiday event a masterpiece your Fourth of July guests will love. There is something compelling about the smell of food being cooked over a charcoal pit, open flame or barbecue.

Barbecue, Grilling and Smoking Recipes
Beef, Pork, Poultry, Fruit & Vegetable Recipes


Other Regional Favorites

 

More Memorial Day Recipes

Make sure you are prepared for the holiday with these wonderful easy-to-make recipes. From the main course to dessert, there's a red-white-and-blue treat for everyone!

Dinner Party Menus and Recipes - Sizzling menus that are perfect for an outdoor gathering.
All-American Desserts - Indulge yourself, and your friends, and family with cakes, pies, cookies, and more.
Favorite Salad Recipes - Lots of wonderful salad recipes to delight everyone
Cooling Beverages - Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Fruit Recipes - Summer is not summer without some wonderful recipes using the fresh fruits of the season
Vegetable Recipes - Lots of wonderful vegetable dish to make for the family