Easy Grilling for Memorial Day


Still stumped on what to make for all the guests coming over to enjoy the relaxing Memorial Day weekend?

Cookie Magazine has gathered some scrumptious & easy recipes to help you celebrate your holiday this weekend! These recipes are also great to consider if you're vacationing or even at the shore with friends and family for the weekend.



Simple and Easy Grilled Chicken


Grilled Chicken

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity—and its convenience: When you're ready for dinner, all the prep has already been done, far in advance.

Serves 4 to 6 | Total time: 30 minutes, plus time for marinating

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces (or use whichever pieces you prefer)
  1. In a medium-size bowl, mix together a marinade of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Put the chicken pieces in a large bowl or resealable plastic bag, add the marinade, and cover the bowl or seal the bag.
  2. Let the chicken sit in the marinade in the refrigerator all day or overnight. The longer it marinates, the better.
  3. When you're ready to cook, turn the grill to medium heat.
  4. Remove the chicken from the bowl or bag, discard any remaining marinade, and place the chicken pieces on the grill.
  5. Grill the chicken until the breast meat near the bone registers 165° F and the thigh meat registers 180° F on a thermometer. If you don't have a meat thermometer, cook the chicken until the meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it sit 5 to 10 minutes before serving.



Açai Power Popsicles


popsicles


If you have a blender and want to make happy food—and give your kids healthy snacks - this is a great recipe! If they dislike milk and yogurt, it's a great way to sneak it in. With the weather warming up (finally!) and the long weekend approaching, these Popsicles will do double duty: be fun and healthy.

Makes 8 4-ounce Popsicles | Total time: 5 minutes, plus 6 hours to freeze

  • 7 to 8 ounces frozen açai puree
  • 3 1/2 cups vanilla yogurt
    (the full-fat version tastes the best)
  • Honey-based simple syrup (recipe below), or agave nectar.
  1. Let the frozen açai puree soften at room temperature for five minutes, then crumble it into a blender.
  2. Add 1 cup of the yogurt to the blender and puree it with the açai until the mixture is smooth. If you like your Popsicles on the sweeter side, add honey-based simple syrup or agave nectar 1 tablespoon at a time.
  3. Use the remaining 2 1/2 cups of yogurt to fill each of 8 4-ounce Popsicle molds (or small paper cups) two-thirds full. Top each with the açai mixture and use the handle of a spoon to swirl the berry puree into the yogurt. Stir just enough to get some streaks going.
  4. Freeze the pops for at least 6 hours, or until they're solid. If you have trouble getting the Popsicles out of the molds, just give them a quick run under hot water.
Honey-Based Simple Syrup (optional)

Makes 2 cups

  • 1/2 cup very hot water
  • 1 1/2 cups mild honey
  1. Pour the hot water over the honey and mix until incorporated.
  2. Store the syrup in a clean jar at room temperature.

TIP: Frozen açai puree is available in most natural-food stores. If you can't find açai, you can substitute any other pureed frozen berry or fruit.