Happy Memorial Day!

We would like take this time to wish everyone a very happy and safe Memorial Day with your family and friends! ------------------------------------------------ Memorial Day is a United States Federal Holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May, observed this year May 28, 2007. It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This Holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War . After World War 1, it expanded to include those who died inany war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500 which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. Many people celebrate this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. In addition to remembering, Memorial Day is also time for friends and family to gather together for picnics, family gatherings and sporting events. ------------------------------------------------------ Below are some recipes to help you celebrate Memorial Day! Grilled Chicken With Vegetable Salsa 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast 1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced Salt and pepper to taste Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper and minced garlic. Clean the grill off with a grill brush and a towel, and lightly brush with olive oil to keep chicken from sticking. Heat grill on a medium-high setting for 5 minutes. (You should be able to hold your hand over the grates for only 3 seconds.) Place chicken on grill and cook about 8 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is fork tender and juices run clear, turning once. Remove immediately, and serve with scoop of vegetable salsa For the salsa: 2 tomatoes, coarsely diced 1 red bell pepper, coarsely diced 1 small red onion, coarsely diced 1/2 cup cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced Good-quality, extra virgin olive oil 1 red chili, chopped (optional) Salt and pepper to taste Combine vegetables and seasonings in a small mixing bowl. If you like a little heat, add a chopped red chili. Add enough olive oil to coat, and toss. Allow to sit at room temperature for about an hour. Serve with grilled chicken breast. Serves 4 to 6. ------------------------------------------------------------- Grilled Tequila Beef Steaks 4 New York strip steaks (each 8 to 10 oz., cut 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick), fat trimmed 1/2 c Tequila 2 tb Olive oil 1 tb Pepper, freshly ground 2 ts Lemon peel, grated 1 Garlic clove, pressed or minced Salt With a damp paper towel, wipe steaks; put meat in a 1-gallon plastic food bag. Add tequila, oil, pepper, lemon peel, and garlic; seal bag, and turn to mix seasonings. Set bag in a bowl; chill at least 1 hour or up to 1 day; turn bag over occasionally. Drain steaks and place on a grill 4 to 6 inches above a solid bed of hot coals. Turn steaks to brown evenly; for medium-rare (cut to test), cook 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to plates; season to taste with salt. ------------------------------------------------------------- Strawberry Shortcakes 3 pints of strawberries, hulled (2 pints quartered, 1 pint crushed with potato masher or fork) 6 T. granulated sugar or to taste For shortcakes: 2 C. flour 1/2 t. salt 1 T. baking powder 3 T. sugar, plus 2 T. for sprinkling 1 stick (8 Tbs.) frozen butter 1 egg, beaten 6-8 T. half and half 1 egg white, lightly beaten To serve: 1 C. chilled heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks with 1 T. sugar Mix berries with sugar in medium bowl; set aside while preparing shortcakes. Adjust oven rack to lower middle position. Heat oven to 425°F. Mix flour, salt, baking powder and 3 T. sugar. Grate butter on the large holes of a grater into dry ingredients. Toss butter with flour to coat, quickly rubbing butter into dry ingredients with fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Mix egg and 6 T. half and half; pour into flour mixture. Toss with a fork until mixture forms large clumps, adding more half and half if mixture seems dry. Turn dough onto work surface and lightly knead until it comes together. Roll dough to 3/4-inch thick. Dip 3-inch biscuit cutter into flour and cut as many dough rounds as possible. Gather scraps; gently knead. Repeat cutting process to form 8 rounds. Place 1 inch apart on small baking sheet. Brush tops with egg white and drizzle with sugar. Bake until golden brown, 12 - 14 minutes. Place baking sheet on wire rack; cool cakes until warm, about 10 minutes. Split each cake, crosswise, and spoon a portion of berries over each cake bottom. Spoon a dollop of whipped cream over berries. Cap with cake top and serve immediately. Serves: 8. ------------------------------------------------------------------ On line Coloring Pages, Puzzles and Activities for Memorial Day! Coloring Pages Puzzles Memorial Day Short Stories ----------------------------------------------------------------- Free Patriotic Key Chain Pattern Click on Free Patterns! ------------------------------------------------------------------ Happy Memorial Day! ·:*¨♥ Happy Beading Everyone ♥¨*:·. .·:*¨♥ Jenny and Jan ♥¨*:·. 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