Be honest. Did you know that Memorial Day originated after the Civil War?
Did you know the holiday was established by General John A. Logan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, which was a group of Union veterans? Logan issued a General Order declaring May 30 as Memorial Day for fallen Union soldiers.
But I’ve also read the holiday was established in response to a group of freed slaves who participated in a major decoration and cleaning ceremony to honor the deceased Union soldiers. Maybe both factoids are true.
Anyway…You did know??
Okay, fine. But did you know this?
Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day because people decorated grave stones with flags and flowers. And Memorial Day was placed toward the end of May partly to ensure that flowers would be in full bloom.
While Memorial Day originally was meant to honor soldiers from the Civil War, it eventually took on meaning to honor all fallen veterans. It took the Vietnam War to make it an official holiday.
Here’s another “Did you know?”…
The National Moment of Remembrance Act requires Americans, by law, to honor fallen troops at 3:00 P.M. local time on Memorial Day. Americans are supposed to take a moment of silence to pay tribute to the troops who have given their lives for the country.
I’ve got to admit, I didn’t know I’d been breaking a law all this time. I’m not sure I’ve ever participated in the silent observance. (Keep that between you and me, please!)
There’s another thing associated with the early Decorations Day that I am all over. It won’t surprise you because it’s about FOOD!
In the early years of these decoration days, participants often brought different meals as part of a potluck dinner.
Did somebody say POTLUCK?!?!
That’s what I’m talking about! Good food! All kinds of good food! (You can gauge how excited about a topic by my liberal use of the exclamation mark!! Food seems to excite me!)
Potlucks are the best. We pull out our favorite recipes and make a double batch. And we always have too much!
As you look forward to this Monday (a long weekend–woo-hoo!!), you might be thinking about making food for a crowd.
Well, sister, I’ve got you covered! As in covered-dish covered. (Did you see what I did there?)
I’m sharing some of my favorite recipes that would be perfect for a Memorial Day party! None of them are fancy, but they are all deee-lish-us!
Throw some burgers or hotdogs on the grill and you’ll be all set.
For Snackin’
Black Bean Dip
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup oil
1 can black beans
1 can Mexican corn
1 can Rotel tomatoes (drained)
1 avocado, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Stir the vinegar and oil, then add everything but the avocado. Marinate it overnight.
Add the avocado before you serve. Serve the dip with tortilla chips.
(Pro Tip) The “scoops” make it easier to ferry this sassy concoction to your mouth, which is going to be so delighted that it will require beaucoup of said scoops. If you open the bag, you may as well eat it all. Just saying.)
For Startin’
Potluck Broccoli Salad
3 cups broccoli, chopped into small pieces
3 cups cauliflower, chopped into small pieces
3 cups celery, chopped into small pieces
1 package frozen petite peas
1 cup Spanish peanuts (I’ve substituted sunflower seeds with great results!)
5-10 slices bacon, fried and cut up
Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup sugar
2 T grated onion
1 T vinegar
1/4 t salt
Combine chopped veggies, peas, peanuts, and bacon in a large bowl. Mix dressing ingredients and pour over veggies. Toss to coat. Refrigerate for an hour before serving.
For Eatin’
Melinda’s Baked Beans
1 lb. ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
3 cans pork and beans
Topping
1 cup brown sugar
2 T mustard
1/2 bottle ketchup
1 T Worcestershire sauce
Brown the beef, onion, and pepper and drain well. Add the cans of beans. Put this mixture in a casserole dish. (I use a 9×13 pan.)
Mix the brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.
Pour the brown sugar mixture over the beans. DO NOT STIR.
Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Stir before serving.
(Pro Tip) I make a smidge more topping. I like to cover the beans completely.
Other super sides:
- Grilled Corn on the cob
- Potato Salad (I buy it at the deli and doctor it up with hard boiled eggs and sour cream.)
- Deviled eggs
For Lovin’
Wendy’s Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup almonds, finely chopped
1/2 cup shortening
2/3 cup sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
2 eggs
1/2 t almond extract
1 cup seedless raspberry jam
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup almonds, sliced
Mix the flour, brown sugar, and almonds in a bowl. Cut in shortening until the mixture is fine crumbs. Set aside half of this for topping. Take the rest and press into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
In another bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and almond extract until smooth. Spread this mixture over hot crust and return to the oven for 15 minutes.
Spread jam over the cheese mixture and set aside.
Combine the reserved crumbs, coconut, and sliced almonds and sprinkle over the jam layer. Return to oven and bake 15 minutes longer.
Cool in the pan. Then chill for at least 3 hours before serving. (Keep in the refrigerator.)
Let Me Know!
You won’t need any luck with these recipes. They’re tried and true winners, worthy of honoring our armed services!
Let me know if you try any of these dishes. Better yet, share what your favorite potluck dish is! I’m always looking for a good new recipe, and I find the best ones aren’t necessarily on Pinterest. Rather, they come via friends and family!
Hope your Memorial Day is memorable–for all the right reasons!
Connie Smith
Thank you very much for the interesting information and recipes.
Tracey Buchanan
Have a great weekend, Connie!
Kent Buchanan
Happy Decorations Day weekend!
Tracey Buchanan
Same to you! ❤️
Susan Lamb
I am glad to see that you wrote about the Memorial Day observances I remember. We always took flowers to the graves of loved ones. Having grown up in the monument business, this was a busy time of the year for our family. I remember my mom didn’t make iced tea for our meals until Memorial Day arrived and summer started.
Tracey Buchanan
I’ll bet it was sweet tea, too! The best summertime drink!
Debbie Henderson
Such wonderful recipes! Thank you for sharing. I am enjoying your blog!!
Happy Memorial Day with blessings and love.. 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
Tracey Buchanan
Happy Memorial Day, Debbie!
Donna Libby
Thank You I grew up celebrating “decoration” day with my sweet Grandma Mamie Libby
oh the memories
Yum on the recipes I’ll have to try
Happy Memorial Day!
Tracey Buchanan
Sweet memories are blessings!