4 Classic Memorial Day Recipes With a Twist

Classic Memorial Day dishes are tasty and usually pretty easy to throw together, and you know they’re always one of the main things you look forward to about this holiday. Yet, plain ol’ burgers, potato salad and some other sides and desserts can become kind of boring year after year, so you should consider spicing up your favorite recipes this Memorial Day weekend and quite literally bring something new and refreshing to the picnic table.

Classic: Burgers

Twist: Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Burgers

• 2 lbs lean ground beef or turkey
• 2 tbs minced onion
• 4 tbsp cream cheese
• 2 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, diced (remove seeds if you want less spice)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Rolls, toppings, and condiments as desired

Directions:

1. Preheat grill to medium.
2. In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and diced jalapeno and separate into four equal portions.
3. Combine meat, salt and pepper, and minced onion in another bowl and separate meat into four equal pieces.
4. Flatten the cream cheese mixture into a pancake shape, wrap the meat around each portion, and brush with some olive oil.
5. Grill burgers for 6-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.
6. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Classic: Potato Salad

Twist: Honey Dijon Potato Salad

• 3 lbs potatoes cut in one 1½ inch chunks
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ diced red onion
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup whole grain Dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp honey
• pinch salt and pepper
• 2 tsp fresh chives

Directions:

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are fork tender.
2. Drain and let cool slightly in a single layer.
3. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic to a large sauté pan over medium heat and saute together for only a minute or two, then add potatoes and toss for a couple of minutes.
4. Mix together the cider vinegar, mustard, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
5. Pour over the potatoes in the saute pan and toss together well, cooking for only two or three minutes until the potatoes are well coated.
6. Before serving, toss in the fresh chives.

Classic: Deviled Eggs

Twist: Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs

• 12 eggs
• 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
• 4 slices bacon
• 2 tbsp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
• 1 tbsp mustard

Directions:

1. Place eggs in a saucepan, and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil, then immediately remove from heat.
2. Cover the pan and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water and let cool.
3. Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Crumble and set aside.
4. Peel the hard-cooked eggs and cut in half lengthwise. Put yolks in a small bowl and mash with mayonnaise, crumbled bacon, and cheese, then stir in mustard.
5. Fill egg white halves with the yolk mixture and refrigerate until serving.

Classic: Strawberry Pie

Twist: Strawberry Lemonade Freezer Pie

• 1 premade graham cracker crust
• 1 tub Cool Whip
• 1 (12 ounce) can lemonade concentrate
• 1 can low fat sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups strawberries (frozen or fresh), chopped
• ¼ cup sugar
• 20 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
• lemons and strawberries for garnish

Directions:

1. In a food processor, combine strawberries and sugar and pulse until combined. Set aside.
2. In an electric mixer, combine cool whip, lemonade concentrate, and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour lemonade mixture into pie crust.
4. Pour strawberry mixture over lemonade mixture and swirl into the top using a knife.
5. Freeze for approximately 8 hours or overnight, until well frozen.
6. Slice and serve.