by Arleen M. Kaptur

Possibilities abound for the food that you can serve. Fried chicken, deviled eggs, cheese, and fruit platters, pink lemonade, ice cream and pies - Menus are fun to plan and always have the end result of great eating and a fun time for all. So, get those picnic baskets out, clean out that grill, and get ready for the offical start of summertime fun.

Very Special Poor Boys:

2 tbs. butter, 4 hot dogs, cut into 1/2" slices, 1 onion, chopped, 1 green or red bell pepper, chopped, 1 tbs. flour, 1 loaf of French bread, cut in half, lengthwise, 1 tsp. seasonsed salt, 2-1/2 cups washed and drained sauerkraut, 1-1/2 cups grated American cheese, cheddar, or pepperjack cheese or a combination of both

Melt the butter in a pan. Add the hot dogs, onions, and green pepper. Over medium heat, cook for about 10-12 mins. stirring occasionally. Add the flour and seasoned salt to the pan. Lower the heat to low and stir until everything is well blended. Continue stirring until mixture thickens. Add the sauerkraut and cheese to pan. Continue stirring over low heat until the cheese melts. Wrap foil around the French bread, leaving the top open. Remove the top half and spoon your mixture onto the bottom portion of the French bread. Bake in oven (350) for 20-25 mins. Remove and place top half of bread over mixture. Cut into serving pieces and serve.

Picnic Three-Bean Salad:

3/4 cup sugar, 2/3 cup vinegar, 1/3 cup salad oil, salt and pepper to taste, 1 onion, chopped, 1 red/green bell pepper, chopped, 1 15-1/2oz. can EACH wax beans, green beans, and dark kidney beans

Drain beans and rinse under cold water. Set aside. Combine the sugar, vinegar, oil, and salt and pepper. Stir until combined. Add the onion, bell pepper, and stir once again.

Add the drained beans and with a spoon, being careful not to break the beans, stir until blended. Refrigerate overnight. Place in a glass bowl to show off the colors of this welcome salad treat and serve.

Amazing Fruit Salad:

1 pint fresh blueberries, 1 pint fresh hulled strawberries, or raspberries, 2-/12 cups fresh pineapple chunks, 2 cups seeded watermelon chunks, 2 bananas, sliced 1/2", 2 tbs. lemon juice, 2 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced, 1 small can mandarin oranged, drained 2 pkg. (3 ozs. each) cream cheese, at room temperature, 1/3 cup confectioner's sugar, 1-1/2 tsp. fresh lime juice, 1 cup whipping cream, whipped, 1/4 tsp. grated lime peel Toss bananas and lemon juice to keep from browning. Place in a glass bowl. In a layering effect, place the pineapple, blueberries, one half of the strawberries, oranges, kiwifruit, watermelon, and the remaining strawberries/or raspberries.

In a bowl, with a mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar slowly and continue beating. Add lime juice and incorporate; then the lime peel. Lower speed, and add one-half of the whipped cream. Mix until blended. Lower speed again, and add the remaining whipped cream. Pour dressing over fruit allowing it to drizzle inside the bowl. Chill for at least 1 hour.

If you decide to grill hamburgers and assorted sausages, serve your condiments in hollowed out red and white bell peppers. Serve sugar cookies that have been cut into star shapes and sprinkle with red/white/blue sugar. You have a meal that everyone will truly enjoy.

If your family is geared toward seafood, try grilling swordfish steask. Grill vegetable packets of egg- plant, zucchini and red bell peppers alongside the swordfish. Serve fresh blueberries and strawberries that are sprinkled lightly with sugar for dessert.

For added treats, serve cherry tomatoes instead of tomato slices, cucumber sticks, and assorted melon balls. Your favorite potato salad recipes adds to your meal, as well as a pretty plate of deviled eggs, Brownies, vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce, or even wedges of a moist chocolate layer cake will end your meal in a grand way.

Enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday and have fun with family and friends. ENJOY! Oh, by the way, when did you say dinner is being served?

©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 May

About the author

Arleen Kaptur has written numerous articles, cookbooks, and SEARCHING FOR AUSTIN JAMES, a novel. You may visit her at the following websites: Arleen's Site, Rustic Living.com, or SimpleLiving.