Memorial Day is coming up next Monday, May 28th to be exact. The Memorial Day weekend always gets me in the Summer mood, and many view it as the unofficial kick-off to Summer. Family and friends grilling out, beaches and pools open up, school is out for summer break , and the weather is getting warmer everyday. Most importantly, my family tries to remember the significance of Memorial Day, and what it means to us as individuals. This has become even more important to us, since my son Matt is in the Army. My dad served two years in the Army as well, so being in the military is a part of our family life.
Memorial Day offers us an opportunity to spend meaningful time with family and friends, and to honor Americans who have devoted their lives to service for our country. Regardless of how you celebrate, delicious food is just about always involved. Or at least around my family it is! Below is what we’ll be enjoying during our Memorial Day cookout.
Memorial Day 2012 Menu
- Grilled Cowboy Burgers {Recipe below} and Hot Dogs
- Potato Salad
- Coleslaw
- Sweet Corn on the Cob
- The Best Chocolate Cupcakes Ever and Indiana Sugar Cream Pie
Preparing these things will be even easier because of the great folks over at Indiana Family of Farmers. They graciously provided me with a basket FULL of treats, that will help make our meal super yummy.
A Hamburger Patty Maker made shaping the patties for my Grilled Cowboy Burgers a breeze. These hearty burgers are delicious, and even approved by my picky husband Joe.
Grilled Cowboy Burgers
Thick cut bacon, at least one slice per burger, cooked crisp
2 pounds of ground chuck
1 tablespoon of light brown sugar
1 tablespoon of steak sauce (like A1)
1 tablespoon of BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
Splash of Liquid Smoke, optional
1-2 large Vidalia or yellow onion, cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch
slices with rings intact, 1 slice per burger
Drizzle of olive oil
Sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese
Additional Garnishes: Mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and pickles.
Cook the bacon to crisp and set aside. Place the ground beef in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar, steak, bbq and Worcestershire sauces, and Liquid Smoke. Add to the ground beef and use a fork to toss. Form into 6 large burgers. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Brush both sides of the onion slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; set aside.
When ready to cook, grill the burgers on well-oiled grates, over direct and high heat, for about 3 minutes, or until seared and browned. Turn and continue cooking until done, another 2 to 4 minutes, or until done to desired level. Do not press down on the burgers! Meanwhile also add the onions to the grate and cook until lightly browned, turn and cook other side. Toast buns on the top rack of the grill.
Place a thin layer of mayonnaise on both sides of the bun. Add the burger and top with BBQ sauce and pickles. Sprinkle with a pinch of shredded cheddar and top with grilled onion, tomato, bacon and lettuce. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 to 6 burgers, depending on the size.
Where’s The Beef ?
In America, more beef is consumed on Memorial Day than any other single day of the year. Hoosier Connection?: In 2004, the top ranking Indiana counties in beef production were: Elkhart County, Lagrange County, Dubois County, Washington County, and Lawrence County.
Sweet Corn on the Cob: Which was super easy to clean with the Corn Silk Remover.
Corny Fact
There are 800 kernels of corn and 16 rows of kernels on every healthy ear of corn AND there is one silky strand for every kernel of corn! Bonus Fact: Did you know that most of the corn growing in Indiana is field corn, which is used to feed animals, produce biofuel or make a whole host of products from plastic cups to fabric for shirts? In 2009, 6,400 acres of sweet corn were planted in Indiana vs. 5.7 million acres of field corn.
Pie Carrier: This thing is awesome, and will be a great way for me to carry my pie outdoors, and keep the picnic visitors who fly by from landing on it.
Did You Know?
Indiana’s Official State Pie is Sugar Cream Pie? (sometimes referred to as Indiana Farmer Pie). Sad fact is, I live in Indiana and have never made one. I’ll be rectifying that by making one for the first time this Memorial Day. Check back next week for the recipe. : )
I hope this post inspires you to fire up your grill, grab your picnic basket and enjoy the Hoosier tradition of food, family and fun!
Thank you Indiana Family of Farmers for helping to make our upcoming Memorial Day cookout something special.
What’s on your Memorial Day menu? I’d love to know, as well as what your family does to make it special.
But get here it did, and my garden is finally planted. Now the waiting begins for the plants to grow and produce fresh veggies… hopefully. What with this being my first garden, I’m worried how it will do. But I’m finding lots of helpful info online, and on some of the blogs I follow, so I’m hopeful in how it turns out.
