Memorial Day Party Food Ideas
When planning a Memorial Day party, one of the most important aspects to take into careful consideration is the food. For many people, Memorial Day is considered to be the turning point where spring becomes summer. Sunglasses, grills and sandals all come out on Memorial Day, marking the beginning of a warm, sunny and care-free season. It’s no surprise, then, that Memorial Day is one of the most popular days of the year for holding parties. While there are no true rules about what to serve for Memorial Day, there are plenty of things you can do to make the day easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Break Out the Grill
Since the summer is often associated with grilling, there’s no better time than Memorial Day to break out the grill for the first time. Grilling keeps you outside rather than being trapped in a hot kitchen and allows you to cook a variety of different foods on the fly, making it the perfect cooking method for this time of year. While many people think of meats when grilling comes to mind, there are plenty of other types of foods that can be grilled, including fish, vegetables and even some fruits (peaches, for example).
Serve Cold Appetizers
Depending upon the weather and where you live, it can be very hot outside on Memorial Day. As a result, one should strive to serve cold appetizers in order to keep people comfortable. Cold appetizers are not only refreshing, but can be made ahead of time, which can make your Memorial Day far less stressful than if you were stuck in the kitchen preparing food. Popular cold appetizers include chips and salsa, bean dip and fruit salads, all of which can be prepared ahead of time and placed in the refrigerator until it is time to serve them.
Prepare a One Pot Dish
Sometimes it can be helpful to throw together a dish that people can simply serve to themselves from a slow cooker. This is a great way to free up some time throughout the day, and can help you to enjoy yourself rather than have to feel as if you’re at work on Memorial Day. Chili is an excellent example of a quick and delicious one pot dish. Dishes such as this can be made ahead of time and allowed to remain warm throughout the duration of the party. Always be sure to make more than enough, as you don’t want to run out and can always refrigerate leftovers.
Make Dessert Refreshing
Dessert can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, and if it’s really hot on memorial day, a heavy dessert can be enough to ruin practically anyone’s afternoon. When planning dessert, be sure to keep it as light and refreshing as possible. Fruit-based desserts such as panna cotta or even a simple fruit salad are perfect for memorial day, as they serve as a sweet finish without weighing your guests down. Avoid anything that utilizes especially heavy ingredients such as chocolate or peanut butter.
