Red, white and blue cocktails are fun for Memorial Day, 4th of July or any other patriotic event. Ingredients for these cocktails include strawberries, blueberries, pineapple and watermelon, vodka, rum and white wine.

Answers to Memorial Day Quiz:  1.  People in US Military Service; 2. The Civil War; 3. Decoration Day; 4. It was not the anniversary of a battle; 5. 3 p.m. 

If you're planning a Preakness Stakes Party, you have to serve crab cakes! Here's a fabulous recipe.

Ingredients:
1/2 c. dry bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tbl Old Bay seasoning
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 lb. crab meat, shell and cartilage removed

1. Mix bread crumbs, mustard, Old Bay and salt together and set aside.
2. In another bowl, combine egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently fold in bread crumb mixture. Add crab meat and shape into individual cakes. Place them on a platter or cookie sheet. You should end up with about 6 or 7 cakes.
3. Refrigerate for at least two hours, so they won't break apart when cooked.
4. To cook the crab cakes, you can either put them under the broiler or saute in oil. It takes about 3-5 minutes to brown each side. To keep warm, place on cookie sheet in a 200 degree oven until you're ready to eat them. 

Serves 4-6

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A non-alcoholic Mint Julep is perfect for any Kentucky Derby Party, especially if your party will have children or teens in attendance.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup lemon juice
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 6 mint springs (at least)
• 2 cups cold water
• 5 cups crushed ice
• 2-1/2 cups chilled ginger ale
• Lemon slices for garnish if you wish

Mix sugar, cold water, lemon juice and at least six mint sprigs in a bowl and let stand for 45 minutes for flavors to meld. Strain the mixture and remove mint. Tip: Because this mixture takes 45 minutes to meld the flavors, be sure to make more than enough at one time to serve all your guests.

Using two 2 quart pitchers place half of the above mixture and half of the ginger ale in each pitcher. Top with lemon slices and additional mint sprigs in the pitchers or use for each glass.

The one thing you need for mint juleps? Lots and lots of crushed ice, so be sure to stock up!

This recipe makes approximately 3 quarts Non-Alcoholic Mint Juleps (about 12 - 8 ounce cups). Be sure to make enough at once to eliminate prep time after your guests have arrived.



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February is full of reasons to get together with friends and enjoy food and drinks. There's Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, the Grammies, the Oscars, Valentine's Day, 

Instead of bringing the same old stuff, try this incredible  crawfish dip. If you're not a fan of crawfish or can't find it, you can substitute cooked, chopped shrimp.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
• 1 bunch green onions (white parts only), chopped 
• 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon creole seasoning, such as Tony Chachere's
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
• 1 (12-ounce) package crawfish crawfish tail meat, thawed and drained
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Crusty bread and Louisiana-style hot sauce, for serving

In a medium skillet, melt the butter over moderate heat. Add onions and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute.

Stir in the cream cheese, mayonnaise, creole seasoning, and cayenne; whisk until smooth. Reduce heat to low. Add the crawfish tail meat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Season with salt to taste. 

Serve immediately with toasted bread slices and hot sauce.

Makes 2 cups                                                                                                                                                 Source

Whether it's Cinco de Mayo or just because, here’s a quick and easy recipe for Guacamole that is perfect for your family or for a crowd.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 ripe avocados
• ¼ cup chunky salsa
• 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice (to your taste)
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup finely chopped green onions or red onions - your preference
• dash of cumin
• Tortilla chips
• Optional:  diced Roma tomatoes, diced green chilis, minced jalapenos, sour cream

Directions:

1. Cut each avocado lengthwise and scoop out the fruit with a spoon, saving the pits.
2. Mash avocado with a fork.
3. Mix salsa, lime juice, garlic salt, cilantro, onions and cumin into mashed avocado. Add a few avocado pits back into the mixture if you are not going to serve it right away - keeps it from browning - remove before serving
4. Mix in any optional ingredients - diced tomatoes, diced green chilis, minced jalapenos, sour cream
5. Serve in a Talavera bowl lined with lettuce.
6. Serve with plenty of Tortilla chips!

Did you know adding a few avocado pits into the guacamole and brushing the top of the dip lightly with lime (or lemon) juice will keep the guacamole from turning brown? Great idea if you are making the guacamole ahead of time.

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Valentine's Day is just around the corner!  If you're looking for something different to serve at a party, for school treats or just because, you'll love these pink strawberry brownies!  These are so simple, just 3 ingredients and 14 minutes to warm, yummy pink brownies.

• 1 box strawberry cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup oil

Mix ingredients together and spread in a 9" x 13" pan sprayed with oil or greased.  The mix will be thick, not thin like a cake mix and you will need to spread it thin - it does rise when baked.  Bake at 350 degrees for 14 to 18 minutes.  To test if they are done, insert a toothpick in the center and it should comes clean.

For a pink glaze, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk or water and pour it over the brownies while they are warm. Enjoy!

Please come back and leave us a comment if you made these...we'd love to hear from you!