Memorial Day Dessert – Patriotic Ice Cream Cupcakes

Image via: Taste of Home

[ad#co-3]

Preparation Time: 45 minutes

Makes: 36 cupcakes

Ingredients

1 packet of cake mix (red velvet)

1 quart of softened ice cream (blue moon)

5 cups of marshmallow creme

Blue colored sugar

Blue, red, and white sprinkles

3 cups of heavy whipping cream

Preparation

1. Follow the instructions on the cake mix packet to mix the batter.
2. Line a muffin pan with paper cups and fill them halfway with the batter.
3. Bake them for 11-14 minutes at 350⁰ You can also test them with a toothpick to see if they are baked.
4. Leave the cupcakes to cool for 10 minutes then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Spread ice cream over the cupcakes quickly. If you are slow, it will start melting.
6. Freeze the cupcakes for about one hour.
7. Mix the marshmallow crème and heavy whipping cream in a large bowl. Beat until soft peaks form.
8. Pipe the mixture over the cupcakes. Add the colored sprinkles and sugar on top.
9. Put the cupcakes in the freezer and leave them for 4 hours.
10. When they become firm, remove them and serve.

Image via: Grin and Bake it

Editor’s Note

In case you cannot find blue moon ice cream, buy vanilla ice cream and color it with blue food coloring.

This Memorial Day, get off to a good start with this dessert that is unlike any other. The patriotic cupcakes will be a huge hit with your family and friends. Even those who don’t like dessert will ask for seconds, thirds, and fourths! Whether you are throwing a party or simply celebrating the day with your family, they are a great option.

Will you be serving this Memorial Day dessert?

Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad

 Image Via: Proud Italian Cook

[ad#co-1]

Ingredients:

For Salad:

2 pounds blue potatoes, cubed

1 medium white onion

½ cup roasted red pepper

3 eggs, hardboiled

For Dressing:

4 ounces goat cheese

2 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 dash lemon juice

Salt and pepper, to taste

Image Via: Bon Appetit

Preparation:

1. Bring water to a boil and salt it liberally. While that’s going, cut your potatoes into small cubes.
2. When it reaches a boil, cook the potatoes for 12-15 minutes and are fork tender.
3. Meanwhile, mince the onion, chop the roasted red pepper and egg, and set them aside.
4. Make the dressing by crumbling the goat cheese into a bowl with the milk and lemon juice. Mix until the cheese has dissolved and a paste has formed. Then, whisk in the honey, vinegar, oil, and thyme until combined and smooth. Season the dressing and let sit.
5. When the potatoes are done, drain them and return them to the hot pot to dry for a few minutes.
6. Assemble the potato salad by combining the potatoes, onion, roasted red pepper, and egg in a mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over top and toss to combine.
7. Serve chilled.

Potato salad is unquestionably and American classic. But, that doesn’t mean it can’t be revamped once in a while. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new flavors and textures to give old recipes new life. You never know what you’ll discover and, in this case, your taste buds will thank you.

Do you have any favorite Memorial Day Recipes to share with us?

With Memorial Day just around the corner, we bring in some excellent ideas of appetizers that you can try on this Memorial Day. Long weekend, family get together and shopping goes hand in hand with the remembrance of our loved ones on Memorial Day. Such occasions give a headache to women who are out of ideas of on what to serve family and friends. Here we present some very tantalizing Memorial Day appetizers, which will make your family and friends praise you forever.

Image via: Dailymail

Grilled sliders

These mini-burgers are a favorite of almost everyone, be it kids or adults, thus making it a perfect choice for Memorial Day appetizer. Create your own variations; make different styles of sliders using different toppings and dressings thus offering different tastes to your guests. Very easy to make, and very delicious, grilled sliders are always ranked as the best dish on the menu. Most of all, they have become an excellent alternative to big sized, regular burgers. A must try!

Deviled eggs

This is probably one of the easiest options when it comes to making an appetizer – deviled eggs! You can experiment with many variations and create some delicious deviled eggs. Not only are these cost effective and easy to make but also an absolute delight to eat. You can give these eggs a summery spin by sprinkling some fresh basil pesto or add in some chopped capers and raw red onions to make them more devilish.

Magic mushroom or Mediterranean grilled pizza

This grilled mushroom or mediterranean pizza is a must this holiday weekend. Pizza is an absolute favorite of children and adults alike. Therefore, it goes along with any and every occasion. If you are in a hurry or have to make a great number of pizzas, you can always buy store bought pizza dough to make things even easier.

Bacon-wrapped, Jalapeno and Cheese-stuffed shrimp

Shrimps prove to be an excellent appetizer for all occasions. These Bacon wrapped, jalapeno and cheese stuffed shrimps have a nice crisp and the spicy effect of jalapenos make it extremely scrumptious.

Bacon-wrapped Shrimp

Image & Recipe via: Muy Bueno

Makes: about 16

Ingredients

1 pound bacon, each slice cut in half

1 pound shrimp, rinsed and deveined

3 jalapeno peppers, cut into thin strips

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 ounce tequila

1 teaspoon lime juice

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon oregano

toothpicks, presoaked

Directions

Preheat broiler.

Microwave bacon on high for 1 minute. Cut slices in half crosswise and let cool.

In a bowl, combine melted butter, tequila, lime juice, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano.

Butterfly the shrimp, leaving the tail and last section intact; devein. Place 2 jalapeno strips in each shrimp and press sides together. Secure the bacon and shrimp with a toothpick. Use a pastry brush to coat with butter mixture.

Place bacon wrapped shrimp evenly on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Place under broiler. Broil for 9 minutes, turning every 3 minutes.

*Grilling option – This is a great recipe to make on the grill. Instead of using a toothpick you can skewer some shrimp per skewer. If using wooden skewers, don’t forget to soak skewers before using. Cook about 3-4 minutes on each side, remove from skewers, and serve warm. The crispiness of the bacon and shrimp edges is scrumptious.

Tea Smoked Chicken

Marinated with Chinese black tea and spices, this smoked chicken is best when the cook serves it with Asian chili sauce on a bed of lettuce leaves, making it look utterly tempting. This appetizer guarantees praise and appreciation from everyone. It is mouth-watering. Also try these lasagna bites recipe – perfect bite size creations!

Image via: Food Network

For more summer recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Memorial Day is fast approaching and we want to appreciate those who have served and are serving our country each day!  One great way to celebrate memorial day is by having a picnic with the family and friends.  Of course, sandwiches are great compliments for a picnic treat.  So try this easy to make recipe and even better to taste for the smoked BLT sandwich.  It is sure to fill your stomachs and give you the energy to enjoy all of the festivities for the picnic.

Smoked BLT Sandwiches with Arugula

Image via:  Simply Delicious

[ad#co-1]

Servings: 1 Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2-3 slices of thick Smoked Bacon
• 1-2 thin slices of a fresh large Tomato
• 1-2 ounces (a couple of handfuls) of Fresh Baby Arugula
• 2 slices of Whole Grain or Wheat Bread
• Mayonnaise

Image via:  Martha Stewart

Directions

1. Heat a large sauté pan or cast iron pan on medium low heat.  Then take the strips of bacon and place each strip, single layer, in the pan side by side.  You want to slowly cook the bacon, being sure to melt out the fat, until it has turned a lighten brown then flip the strips over and cook until the same has occurred for that side.
2. When the bacon has been thoroughly cooked through then remove them from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towel to absorb the excess fat.  Pour out the excessive fat from the pan, but keep a little in a jar for the arugula.  (Do not pour bacon grease down the sink, it will clog your pipes).
3. In the same pot, add a handful of the fresh baby arugula.  Then pour in the jar of the bacon fat that you set to the side.  As soon as the arugula greens begin to wilt, remove the arugula from the heat and put into a ceramic bowl to stop them from cooking, set aside.
4. Toast the bread slices in a toaster.  Spread the mayonnaise (or if you have a different preference that will be perfect too) over the slices.  Take one slice of the bread and layer it the bacon, slices of tomato, and lastly lightly wilted arugula.  Cut on the diagonal and serve.

For more food recipes on Stagetecture, click here.