Memorial Day: More Than A Day of BBQ. A Day of Remembrance and Thanks

Pepper Jack Cheeseburger on a Sesame Seed Bun with Romaine Lettuce, Avocado, Tomato and Red Onion
with White Corn on the Cob

As we celebrate with family and friends laying by the pool, barbecuing and filling our tummies with chips and salsa, macaroni salad, potato salad, corn on the cob, strawberry shortcake, brats and hamburgers and all the fixings that go along, let us take a moment to remember the meaning of Memorial Day. Let us give thanks and remember all those that gave their lives fighting in the military for the United States and our freedoms. It is because of a soldier that we are here, enjoying this beautiful day in May, with the rights that were drawn out so long ago and protected through the years by the sacrifice of the men and women of the military. Also give thanks to the men and women that today are actively fighting to keep your rights intact and fight for your protection and safety. They deserve our utmost respect for the job that they are doing, or have done, and a job that they have taken on as their own responsibility. Also give thanks to the husbands and wives, children and families behind these brave men and women in the military, for they are also the embodiment of bravery and strength as well as they are there giving support, sacrificing and stepping into different roles as needed . I am proud to be an American and to live in a country built by the determination of so many brave soldiers willing to fight and give their all to keep me safe and stand up for what they believe, even if that meant at the risk of losing their life. With that I say thank you and I take a moment to remember all the brave men and women in the military who have lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom and thank all the military men and women currently serving our country or have served and are one of the many great veterans of the military. Thank you!

And to my brother who currently serves in the Army, I am so proud of you and the man and father you have become. I am so lucky to have you in my life and to be able to call you my brother. I pray for your safety and strength and for your return home. Today I raise my hamburger to you little brother. Next year you will be eating one right next to me. Love you.

My brave and amazing brother.
Sorry Ladies, he's taken! And by an amazing woman who fought for our country as well.

My Cheeseburger toast to my brother

My younger, yet bigger, brother and I.
What can I say, good looks (and a goofy smile) run in the family :)

                   

Patriotic Treats: Red, White and Blueberry

You picked the short straw and got stuck bringing a dessert to the Memorial Day BBQ. Before you go out and get the store bought sugar cookies and place them next to the homemade appetizers and entrees, that people planned weeks before, try this recipe. At least read it and let it kick around your thoughts for a minute. First of all, it is so easy! Second, it is delicious and third, it will make you the hit of the party, because admit it everyone loves the person that brought the amazing dessert. A memorable dessert gets you invited to more parties. Store bought cookies...not so much.

So it was my turn to draw the coveted (not really) dessert card and with it a determination to bring a dessert that I was proud of walking in with instead of trying to hide it in a bag until it was time to serve. I got inspiration from a picture on Pinterest from the website the-girl-who-ate-everything.com of a Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberry. I decided to take it further with my own Cheesecake recipe, cutting the strawberries in half to make them bite-size and adding a blueberry to go with the red, white and blue theme of Memorial Day.

All I can say is that when everyone is stuffing their face with dessert and it's completely quiet, you know you have a winner. And this recipe is a winner. The fluffy cheesecake with the sweetness of the strawberry and tartness of the blueberry is a perfect marriage. And if the lemon juice seems a bit strange to you in the cheesecake mixture, please just try it once for me, because it brings a fresh hint to the mixture that makes a big difference in the taste.

Red, White and Blueberry Cheesecake Bites

Serves 12

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Rest time: 1 hour

Cheesecake Mixture

I package Jell-O No Bake Original Cheesecake
8 oz. mascarpone cheese
¾ cup cream cheese
½ ricotta cheese
1 ½ tbsp vanilla extract
Juice of ½ lemon

4 lb strawberries

6 oz blueberries

Directions:

Prepare a sheet pan covered with parchment paper.

Clean the strawberries and then pull off the leafy top, cut in half and then trim the tops cutting in a V-shape and clean out the center. The smaller ones do not need to be cut in half but instead just trimming the top and cleaning out the center of the strawberry is adequate.  

In a mixing bowl add the Jell-O No Bake Cheesecake mix and 1 ½ cup of milk as directed on the box. Mix for 3 minutes with a hand mixer and then add the mascarpone cheese, cream cheese and ricotta cheese all at room temperature as well as the lemon juice and vanilla extra at a low speed incorporating all the ingredients.Transfer the mixture to a freezer size zip lock bag and cut the corner when ready to fill the strawberries.

Fill the strawberries with the cheesecake mixture and then place a blueberry in the center. Place the strawberries on the prepared cookie sheet and then place in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.

Take out the strawberry cheesecake bites out of the refrigerator and place on a serving plate for presentation 15-20 minutes prior to serving.