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Happy Memorial Day
Originally called Decoration Day and established to honor and remember America’s veterans and armed forces who have died defending their country, Memorial Day weekend is partially devoted to honoring America’s heros at ceremonies and wreath-layings across the country. We have a splendid nation, and we should all be proud to honor those who have made that ultimate sacrifice to defend it and its peoples.
But after the solemnities, most American take the weekend to celebrate spring and summer by rolling out their barbecues and grilling up a feast. Friends, neighbors and the very hungry look forward to these gatherings, usually convivial and often fattening. Here are two recipes to get the party going….
Happy Memorial Day.
Chicken Satay
Serves 4
Be sure to soak the skewers before cooking or they well char quickly. Look for the curry pastes at your Asian market.
4 whole chicken breasts, skinned, boned, and cubed
Bamboo skewers, soaked in water
Marinade
2 tablespoons curry powder
10 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Salt to taste
Peanut sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
1 tablespoon Thai Mussaman curry paste
2 cups chopped fresh-roasted peanuts
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup palm sugar or brown sugar
1 cup tamarind juice
Put cubed chicken in a shallow baking dish. Combine marinade ingredients in the container of a food process or blender, and purée. Pour the marinade over the chicken, and set aside for at least half an hour.
To make the peanut sauce, pour oil in skillet and heat. Add the two curry pastes, the peanuts, and the coconut milk. Heat till mixture comes to a boil, and add sugar and tamarind juice.
Thread the chicken onto the skewers. Grill chicken over medium-hot coals for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once. Remove from the fire. Serve immediately with peanut sauce.
Easy Strawberry Shortcakes
Serves 4
To simplify things, purchase already made biscuits from your bakery or supermarket. That way, the dessert comes together in a whiz.
4 country biscuits, split in half
1 quart strawberries, hulled and quartered
2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
sprinkle fresh lemon juice
vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
Put the biscuit halves on individual plates. Put the strawberries in a large bowl, and sprinkle them with sugar, extract, and lemon juice. Spoon portions of the berries over each biscuit half, and top with ice cream Serve and enjoy.
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