Memorial Day Menu Ideas – From the Archives

5 cups whole wheat flour (I substituted half of this with white whole wheat flour)
2-1/2 cups unbleached AP flour
1-1/2 Tbs yeast
1/4 cup vital wheat gluten
(1/4 cup flax seed meal)
1 Tbs. salt
2-1/2 cups lukewarm water (120ºF)
1/2 cup honey (I used agave nectar)
5 large eggs (I used an 8 oz carton of Egg Beaters, which approximates 4 eggs)
2/3 cup melted butter (I substituted canola oil or melted Smart Balance Light Spread)

Mix the dry ingredients together first, then add the liquid ingredients, using the paddle attachment of your mixer, or by hand, and allow to rise for 4 hours on countertop, loosely covered in a very large bowl or container, then refrigerate for several hours before using. (Overnight is best, but you don’t have time for that!) You’re not kneading this dough, so be prepared for it to be very soft and loose – more like a muffin batter than a bread dough.

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Sprinkle flour over the top of the chilled dough, and start pulling out roll-sized pieces (you may need or want the assistance of kitchen shears – I also suggest wearing latex or nitrile gloves, as this is going to be sticky!). I like to weigh mine out to about 4 oz. per roll, but you can make them smaller, if you’d like. Form the dough balls into rolls by stretching the edges out and tucking them under, until you get a nice, smooth ball. If you’re making hot dog rolls, give ’em a bit of a stretch at this point, until they resemble fat logs. Place on a baking pan lined with parchment paper or silicone baking liner, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and allow to rest for about an hour.

Brush the tops of the rolls with water and sprinkle on sesame seeds, if desired. Bake for about 20 mins. or till golden brown.

Let’s move on to dessert. And when I say dessert, I can only mean one thing: Cheesecake! I’ve made several versions of cheesecake for this blog, and there’s something here for everyone – even if you or your guests are watching their weight for health reasons:

Here’s my classic Guilt-Free Cheesecake

For ease of serving, nothing beats Mini Coffee Chocolate Chip Cheesecakes or Mini Nutella Cheesecakes, which I adapted from Abby Dodge’s Desserts 4 Today.

For the grill, try this Coffee & Chipotle Crusted London Broil – you can adapt it to brisket or steaks, too!

For a refreshing side dish, you might like this Endive, Avocado, Tarragon & Grapefruit Salad recipe that I just picked up at CulinAire Cooking School in Washington, DC, while I attended the Eat Write Retreat conference.

I’m even reprising some of a Memorial Day post I wrote back in 2009. It’s every bit as appropriate today:

Popularly, we’ve all come to think of Memorial Day as the beginning of Summer – when you can bring out your white shoes and sundresses. And there’s nothing wrong with any of that. But I ask you, while you’re standing over your barbecue or puttering in your garden, to Stop. For just a moment. Look around you. Take in the day and your surroundings. Inhale deeply. And Remember.

Remember the men and women in uniform – both military and those we now refer to as “first responders” – who gave their lives in defense of our freedoms. Whatever we feel about war, these brave souls responded to their country’s call and made the ultimate sacrifice in our names. But for them, many of us would not have gardens to putter in or barbecues to stand over, or the food to put on those picnic tables. But for them, some of us wouldn’t even be here today, including me.

We are free and we are safe. Remember. And say Thank You. Even if it’s just a moment to yourself.

Have a beautiful, safe, and delicious day!