How to have a Memorial Day feast

Memorial Day is a celebration of sacrifice and to remember the precious lives lost during war.   For many, it also marks the beginning of summer.  Memorial Day most often is celebrated with friends and family at a backyard BBQ or park.

If you're hosting this years Memorial Day celebration and wondering what to serve you may want to consider the following foods:

• Chips and Salsa -  For a twist on the traditional tomato-based salsa, opt for a corn and black bean salsa instead. This fresh salsa is easy to make from scratch and features less expensive ingredients than tomatoes.  Mix together corn kernels, cooked black beans, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, minced jalapenos, minced garlic and a little bit of diced tomato. Flavor with lime juice and salt. Serve the salsa with tortilla chips as guests arrive at the party.
  
•  Fresh Vegetables - Depending on the weather, serve hot or cold fresh vegetables. In cold climates, thread vegetables onto skewers and cook them on the grill until they begin to show signs of blackening. Grilling vegetables include onions, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini and mushrooms. In warmer climates, opt for a cold pasta salad with vegetables instead.
  
• Grilled Meats -  Memorial Day weekend is time to bring out the grill for the summer. Serve grilled meats of your choice at the party. Chicken breasts or hamburger patties are ideal for making sandwiches. For a fancier meal, opt for steak or salmon instead. If the party is long enough, cook a pork shoulder at a low temperature for a few hours and shred it to make pulled pork sandwiches. Also serve grilled mushrooms for vegetarians.

If cooking for your Memorial Day feast doesn't sound fun to you and you'd like to bring in a professional caterer you should call us.  It's really not that expensive to have a beautifully catered Memorial Day celebration in Portland.