Memorial Day was established to honor the nation’s fallen soldiers, but has expanded over the years to include all veterans of the armed forces. To honor their service, attend a parade, lay some flowers and a miniature flag at a local gravesite, or invite a living veteran to your cookout; you can also probably find a veteran charity picnic in the area and lend your support. And when flying the flag, keep it at half-staff in remembrance until noon, Homes.com says, then raise it to full-staff at noon to symbolize the ongoing fight for freedom.
Tag: cookout
Cap off the Summer With a Cookout
Every year, America celebrates the unofficial end of summer and the contributions of the nation’s workers by taking a Monday off. Naturally, this calls for a cookout! Serious Eats recommends going beyond the old backyard standbys — burgers and franks — to grill up more exotic entrées such as Japanese chicken meatballs, curry kebabs and grilled fish tacos. “Rather than wallow in despair at the changing of the seasons, use the holiday as an excuse for one last, pull-out-all-the-stops backyard cookout,” the site says.
Grill Vegetables the Right Way
Vegetables can be difficult to get right on the grill. But if done correctly, they will bring healthy and delicious dishes to your cookout. According to Cook’s Illustrated, asparagus should be grilled five to seven minutes with a single turn. Corn can be grilled for eight to 10 minutes with one layer of husk on, and eggplant and zucchini take about the same time when sliced into rounds or planks. Portobello mushrooms should be brushed with oil and grilled eight to ten minutes; skewered onions, 10 to 12 minutes. Pretreat your grates by brushing them with olive oil for the best results, and enjoy!
Good Grilling Requires Timing
Good grilling requires timing and patience. Once the coals are ready, it’s time to grill, Country Living says, so have condiments, plates, drinks and other necessities ready to go before you begin. Close the lid to make meats tender while cooking them thoroughly, and resist the urge to constantly turn, poke or prod items as they sear. Always keep raw meats and vegetables separate, and impart flavor by using glazes and hardwoods. Finally, use a thermometer to check temperatures and remove foods from the grill just shy of done; they will continue to cook while being plated and served.
Create a Budget-Friendly Cookout
Crafting a cookout but keeping an eye on the budget? First, don’t buy more food than you’ll really need — or buy with an eye toward repurposing the leftovers throughout the week. You can also pick less-expensive cuts to grill; for example, marinated skirt steak can give your cookout that south-of-the-border flair as the filling for delicious grilled steak fajitas. Finally, remember to check the local thrift for lightly-used grilling accessories such as tongs and oven mitts, and you’ll be able to save on supplies while helping fund veterans’ programs.