Last Saturday our town's annual "Niska-Day" parade, postponed for two years due to the pandemic, returned in full force with floats, dancers, singers, and more. Due to construction on the main road, a re-routing put my house right on the parade's path, and as a result, I found myself with a front yard full of friends. We ate bagels, sipped mimosas, and watched as what felt like the entire town marched by.
Shortly after the parade began, my friend Jill arrived with a gigantic tray lined with individual cups filled with what I learned to be watermelon, feta, and mint salad. Under the blazing sun, nothing could have tasted more refreshing, and as the morning went on and the cups gradually disappeared, the recipe requests poured in.
I could not, of course, take any credit, and when I finally tracked Jill down to ask her about the salad, she brushed it off very casually, saying something like: Oh I just threw this together five minutes before I arrived. It's the simplest thing in the world.
Jill is one of those intuitive cooks, not someone who follows recipes, but when I pried, I learned that her "recipe" really is quite simple: toss watermelon cubes with olive oil, aged balsamic, and sea salt; add fresh mint, basil, and feta; toss again.
I have made watermelon and feta salad before, but it never tasted as delicious as Jill's. I think her heavy hand with the mint and basil separates hers from others. I've done my best to recreate her recipe, which you will find here. I've added arugula, which I like, but the salad is delicious without it.
| Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad |
Recipes For Memorial Day Weekend
I've rounded up all of my favorite long-weekend recipes on the blog: simple and delicious grilled chicken breasts, mixed berry galette, the best no-knead brioche buns, blueberry cobbler, two favorite burger condiments, rhubarb custard cake, chicken souvlaki with tzatziki, broccoli crunch salad, stuffed peppers, simplest cabbage slaw and more.
Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend as we remember and give thanks to the many men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
| Memorial Day Weekend Recipes |
No-Knead Brioche Buns
The dough for these no-knead brioche buns takes 5 minutes to stir together, and once it's mixed, you can do one of two things:
- Stick the dough in the fridge overnight; then shape and bake the following day whenever you are ready.
- Let it rise in a warm spot for two hours; then immediately shape and bake.
I love using the refrigerator when I'm short on time and want to get one step out of the way. Regardless of which path you chose, the buns will be light and airy. If you wish, you can sprinkle the buns with everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds.
Here's one recent review:
"I can't say enough good things about this recipe..I've doubled and tripled the recipe many times and it's perfect every time. If I'm making the same day, I hold back a bit of water – if refrigerating overnight, I make as written (cold dough is easier to work with). I've made these for hamburger buns a restaurant and received many compliments!"
| No-Knead Brioche Buns |
Sweet Potato & Mushroom Veggie Burgers
A few weeks ago, I made the above-pictured sweet potato and mushroom veggie burgers and the previously mentioned brioche buns. I hadn't made the veggie burgers in ages, and the whole exercise made me excited for the summer cooking season ahead.
Although this weekend is often associated with the onset of grilling season, I like to broil these patties — broiling is so much easier than pan-frying, and the burgers crisp up nicely under that hot top heat source.
Get the recipe and watch the video here:
| Sweet Potato & Mushroom Veggie Burgers |
At the start of every grilling season the same questions always seem to arise: Is marinating really necessary? And if so, for how long? Is salt in the marinade a no-no or a must? What about acid? What kind of charcoal should I buy? Lump or briquettes? Do I grill covered or uncovered?
If you are breaking out the grill this weekend, you may find this Marinating & Grilling 101 guide helpful:
| Marinating and Grilling 101 |
In Case You Missed It
- Exceptionally Smooth Homemade Hummus
- The Best Homemade Guacamole
- Actually Delicious Grilled Chicken Breasts
- Soft and Chewy (Contest Winning 🎉) Peanut Butter Cookies
- Mixed Berry Galette (with Foolproof Pastry)
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