MEMORIAL DAY RECIPES AND MENUS

Preparation Notes: Most everything on this menu can be prepared ahead. If you decide to make hot dogs from scratch, they can be prepared several months ahead and frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. The chili sauce can be made up to three days ahead and refrigerated. Reheat before serving. The bean salad can be made up to three days ahead and refrigerated. The potato salad and coleslaw can be made the day before and refrigerated. Set them at room temperature for about thirty minutes before serving. The biscuits for the dessert can be prepared the day before and kept in an airtight bag or container.

The morning of the event, prepare and refrigerate the strawberries, as well as the deviled eggs and hamburger patties. Several hours before dinner, whip the cream for the dessert and refrigerate. As guests arrive, set out the chips, pickles and eggs so they have something to munch on. (Depending on when guests will arrive, you might want to add some dips for the chips, as well as some nuts and fresh vegetable crudites.) Heat the grill. Put out mustard, mayonnaise, relish, sliced tomatoes, onions and anything else that people might want in addition to or rather than the chili sauce for the sandwiches. When it is time to serve the dessert, place the biscuits in a cloth-lined basket, and the berries and whipped cream in separate serving bowls. Your guests can assemble the shortcakes as they like. That's it. All that's left to do is enjoy the day!