I hope you’re having a great Memorial Day Weekend! You’re probably busy flag waving, grilling, parading and saluting our incredible service men, but keep these easy menu ideas in mind as summer rolls along and you’re feeding friends and family
I arrived on the coast early last week to plan, stock, cook, and make things festive for Memorial Day!
We started the weekend with serve yourself tacos with lots of toppings
This make-ahead Summer Saffron Rice Bake, is a great do ahead side dish for grilled meats, poultry or fish
Breakfasts
Usually breakfast is serve yourself cereal, yogurt, fruit, or a combo like Breakfast on a Stick. It’s a fun treat and everyone can make their own
If we are lingering through Monday, I like to serve a do ahead breakfast casserole on Sunday, like this Sausage Gravy Biscuit Bake
It’s served mid morning for brunch, and then we gather for serious appetizers like Prosciutto & Sausage Pepper Poppers later in the afternoon
Lunch
Sometimes the grill is going, sometimes we boat to lunch, and sometimes the guys are fishing so I keep things flexible with these ideas:
Build your own deli sandwich/ salad bar,
Set out a variety of breads cheeses, bacon, pickles, tomatoes, jalapenos, french fried onions, lettuce and an array of flavorful condiments and salad dressings
Or treat guests to Club Sandwich in a Roll, very quick to put together and bake
Or make a giant Muffaletta Pie which you can make ahead 1-2 days, and cut into slices to serve a crowd
Pirate Sandwiches for the kiddos, just peanut butter and jelly made exciting
Build your own nachos, taco salad or quesadillas. Set out all the trimmings and everyone can make their own
Use leftover taco meat from a previous night and leftover rice casserole to make some killer burritos or quesadillas
Throw some boneless chicken in the crockpot with a jar of salsa and cook on high for 3-4 hours during morning activites. It will be ready to shred for lunch.
Nachos and quesadillas can be baked, microwaved or grilled, like these BBQ Chicken Nachos, made with leftover chicken
or grill some chicken or steak and go fajita style, like Fab Fajitas
Make a Burger Buffet with burgers and hot dogs by laying out a spread of toppings: a variety of cheeses, bacon, onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, pickles, french fried onions, flavored mayos and mustards and lettuce
Make up a batch of Bama Burger Sauce, it’s great on sandwiches too
Dinner
We often keep things simple with grilled steak or fish. When there’s “no catch of the day,” this BBQ Salmon is a crowd pleaser
Roasted corn and potatoes make easy sides, like these Perfect Roasted Potatoes
Coconut Shrimp Tempura is great paired with
and Cheddar & Chive Hushpuppies
BBQ Ribs, are a menu MUST, HHjr cooks them low and slow on a charcoal grill, and then slathers with BBQ sauce near the end of cooking
Salsa Bread is another MUST around here, it’s so easy, anyone can help make it
A Watermelon Basket is always a show stopper, and a perfect compliment to the spicy ribs and bread
Tomorrow we will be enjoying Bourbon Burgers with Caramelized Onions
and homemade gumbo from a local seafood market
Dessert
Sweet Tea Lemonade Cupcakes
Red White and Blueberry Crostata
Here’s our actual menu: 
The recipes without links, Summer Saffron Rice Bake, Sweet Tea Lemonade Cupcakes and Red, White and Blueberry Crostata will be posting soon
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I will be sharing with the fabulous parties and blogs on my sidebar and