Memorial Day BBQ Recipes

With the long Memorial Day weekend just days away, we'll be flaring up the grill and having a beach party to celebrate the official start of summer. I've got some great recipes from the the Capital Cooking Cookbook. 

Start off with my Blackberry Lemonade Cooler.  It feels like summer is here in DC, so it is time to enjoy some refreshing cocktails.  

Another great cocktail idea for Memorial Day is making a batch of my Spring Punch.

For the Main Dish try:

Oven-Smoked Pulled Pork p. 66 

Lo's Sticky Ribs p. 65

For sides, try Grilled Vegetable Ratatouille p. 82 or
Fresh Fruit Salad or

Tuscan Panzanella Salad

As seen on the “Picnic Pleasers” episode by Chef Domenico Cornacchia of Assaggi

2 pounds ripe tomatoes

1 European cucumber

1 celery heart

½ red onion

1 cup day old country bread, diced

1 cup fresh basil

2 balls buffalo mozzarella

1 tablespoon spoon white wine vinegar

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Combine the diced day-old country bread with some of the vinegar and set aside for ten minutes to marinate.  Dice all the ingredients and using a mixing bowl add the rest of the vinegar, along with the hand chopped basil, sea salt and olive oil.  Mix all together until well incorporated and serve at room temperature.

Don't forget dessert!

Strawberry Shortcake p. 120
Fruit Pizza
Grilled Peaches Topped with Mascarpone Cream