There are few foods as universally loved by kids as much as cheeseburgers. But you don't have to bust out the grill to enjoy them all year-round — just broil, panfry, or even bake them for a quick and easy dinner. We've rounded up some tasty variations on the classic ooey-gooey patties that cook up in a snap, making cheeseburgers a great weeknight meal. Click through for some of our favorite takes on the classic burger!
It's fun to host people for a barbecue, but it can also get quite pricey when everyone isn't chipping in. Consumer expert Andrea Woroch provides suggestions to cut your grocery bill when shopping for your Memorial Day meal:
Prepare most of your meal. Woroch says, "The general rule for prepared foods is that they are more expensive, and it's cheaper to buy the ingredients to prepare yourself." For example, prepared veggie platters and fruit salads "are never a good deal" and aren't exactly the freshest produce. However, prepared potato salad at a regular supermarket is less expensive and will save you time in the kitchen.
Get chicken from the butcher. Buy chicken breasts from the butcher counter instead of the prepared packets. They tend to be cheaper and are generally more fresh.
Consider boxed wine. Save money by skipping the bottled wine and going for the box. "Boxed wine is an affordable option for large parties, and the quality has greatly improved in recent years," she says.
Buy liquor at a superstore. If you're insistent on a specific bottle, then check out warehouse clubs like Costco. There are better deals on wine, liquor, and beer at a superstore, according to Woroch. While you're there, pick the store's generic version of vodka for an even cheaper deal.
Make your own salad dressing and marinade. Check out recipes online — here's a list of over 60 different marinades to make. "Most people will already have the basic ingredients like olive oil, some type of vinegar, and herbs at home," she says. "Other ingredients like lemon or lime, soy sauce, or honey won't cost much extra."
If your Memorial Day plans include entertaining guests with an outdoor barbecue, look no further than this classic, all-American celebration from Celebrations at Home for red, white, and blue inspiration. A basic BBQ menu paired with old-fashioned games and fun makes this a great way to kick off Summer with the entire family.
Happy Memorial Day!
No Fourth of July celebration is complete without your perfect Summer look. To help get you there, we're bringing you six of our favorite pieces for hanging in the sun at any Summer BBQ. From patterned rompers to sunny yellow shades, these must haves will keep you looking stylish at your Independence day soirees and beyond. On Allison: Vanessa Bruno romper
In order to celebrate the Summer—and all the outdoor barbeque parties that go with it—we’re bringing you our six top picks for Summer barbecue wear. From patterned rompers to yellow sunnies to festive printed bags, these must haves will keep you looking stylish at all your Summer soirees! Have a happy long weekend! On Allison: Vanessa Bruno romper
I love any kind of burger, especially one that's flavorful without being a caloric bomb. So I decided to forgo my usual ground beef burger indulgence and make one using ground chicken. Since I was using lean chicken breast, I was worried that the burgers would be too dry, so I was looking for a way to keep them moist without having to add ingredients that wouldn't meet the "healthy" cut.
Of course, in times of culinary confusion I always turn to my mom, who suggested I add tofu to the mix, and it was perfect. The tofu added just the right amount of binding so I didn't have to add egg yolk or breadcrumbs, and it blended nicely with the ground chicken. The result was a juicy chicken burger patty that didn't taste anything like tofu.
Memorial Day weekend is upon us, folks! You know what this means: a day off from work (for many of us), the beginning of summertime — and barbecues! In the happy spirit of long weekend-ness, let's put together a playlist of songs so we can adequately start (as Fresh Prince might put it) "chillin' out maxin' and relaxin' all cool."
Speaking of Fresh Prince, the Will Smith "Summertime" tune is pretty much a staple on playlists like these. Weezer also seems to be in order here, so I'm including "Island in the Sun." I'd also throw in a little Wilco, maybe "Heavy Metal Drummer." And there need to be some older tried-and-trues, of course, so I'm including a little Sharon Jones ("The Dap Dip") and some Nick Gilder ("Hot Child in the City"). To see the other good times songs I've picked and to share your own, read more
My big memorial day bbq is tomorrow and everything has fallen into place for a successful, fun, and memorable party. Earlier this week I started prepping and planning to ensure that no detail would be overlooked. From the easy invites to the grilled food, the cool drinks and the outdoor decor, all is ready for the bbq to begin. Not to be forgotten or overlooked is the music. Music is important at a bbq to encourage mingling, movement, and merriment amongst the crowd. Since this party is all about welcoming the start of summer, the songs will reflect this attitude. For my musical suggestions, read more
Although Memorial Day is a holiday that is generally associated with patriotic colors, I've decided to keep my bbq light, festive, and fun by using bright red and vibrant yellow (keeping in theme with the invitation). Just because the event is outdoors doesn't mean that I don't have to transform my space from everyday to party day. For my outdoor entertaining decorating tips, read more
