Hello! Welcome to Djalali cooks, today we are running a Memorial Day Side Dishes roundup. This weekend is the unofficial kickoff of summer. And while it’s unofficial start of summer, it is the official start of grilling season. In case you missed it, check out the Memorial Day BBQ Round Up we did on Style at a Certain Age on Sunday. To go along with those great grilling mains, here are 5 make-ahead side dish recipes that are perfect for your Memorial Day menu – whether you’re hosting or taking a side to a potluck, any of these sides are sure to be hit!
The Summary
Kelly is sharing her Memorial Day side dishes roundup perfect for Summer.
You can get the full recipe card for a dish by clicking the link at the end of each section
Memorial Day Side Dishes Roundup
1. Summer Bean Salad
I am kicking this week off with a Summer Bean Salad that is perfect for any cookout, potluck, or a plain ol’ summer Monday. Eat it as a salad, put it on toast! I had a vision of topping a hot dog or Bratwurst with this Summer Bean Salad. Is that weird? Regardless, this salad is a spin on the classic three bean salad; with two kinds of beans, cucumber, celery, tomato, red onion and a savory sweet dressing. Let’s get right to it!
[GET THE RECIPE CARD HERE]
2. Langostino & Pimiento Skillet Mac and Cheese
Everyone’s favorite comfort food is also a must-have side at any summer barbecue: Macaroni and Cheese. But we are going to make it a little fancy. I found cooked, frozen langostino tails when I went to Trader Joe’s this week, and I thought they would be a perfect addition to this skillet mac and cheese. So let’s get to it: Langostino and Pimiento Skillet Mac and Cheese!
[GET THE RECIPE CARD HERE]
3. Easy French-Style Potato Salad
Potato Salad is a quintessential warm-weather side, don’t you think? I am especially fond of the potato salads that can be served warm, cold or at room temperature. This type of potato salad doesn’t have mayonnaise; a trait that distinguishes “American” potato salads from its European cousins. Up until I made this, a German-Style Potato Salad was my favorite. It is still at the top of my list, but this French-Style Potato salad is sharing the top spot. A main difference between the two is that the French-Style omits the bacon – making this a lighter, vegetarian option. Let’s jump right in!
[GET THE RECIPE CARD HERE]
4. Easy Peanut Noodle Salad
Let’s kick off this first week of May with a super simple, Easy Peanut Noodle Salad. I love this salad for lunch, it’s quick and easy to prepare. It’s also great as a light dinner, or side dish. It’s also easily customizable: I am using ramen noodles, but you can use spaghetti, rice noodles, soba noodles…you can swap the green cabbage for red; add cucumbers. You can even swap the peanut butter in the dressing for almond butter. Get creative – let’s jump right in!
[GET THE RECIPE CARD HERE]
5. Esquites: Mexican Street Corn Salad
Today we have a perfect side dish for yesterday’s Easy Grilled Steak Fajitas; a side dish that you can make ahead because it’s great at room temperature. Which also makes it perfect as a picnic or potluck salad. It’s hard to beat the impressive presentation of Elotes, the Mexican Street Corn dipped in a creamy sauce of mayonnaise, Cotija cheese and lime, flecked with red chili powder. But Esquites takes all the street corn flavors and tosses them in a bowl, with charred corn-off-the-cob. Easier to eat and tote along to your next potluck or picnic! Let’s make Esquites!
[GET THE RECIPE CARD HERE]
In Case You Missed It
Saturday is a two-post day. This morning, Marlene shared a Summer gift guide perfect for dads and grads. Make sure to click the title or image below to read the article.
Summer Gift Guide
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