Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and is the perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family for a festive cookout. While fresh ingredients are a staple for many, incorporating dehydrated foods can add convenience, flavor, and a unique twist to your menu. Harmony House Foods offers a wide range of high-quality dehydrated vegetables and beans and freeze-dried fruit that can enhance your cookout spread. Here’s how you can use these versatile products to create a memorable Memorial Day feast.
Delicious Dips and Salsas
Start your cookout with an array of tasty dips and salsas made from dehydrated ingredients. Harmony House’s sweet corn, green bell peppers and tomatoes can be rehydrated and combined with fresh herbs and spices to create vibrant salsas and dips. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:
Corn and Pepper Salsa
- 1 cup Harmony House Dehydrated Sweet Corn
- 1/2 cup Harmony House Dehydrated Green Bell Peppers
- 1/2 cup Harmony House Dehydrated Tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- Juice of 2 limes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Rehydrate the corn, bell peppers and tomatoes by soaking them in hot water for 15-20 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
- In a large bowl, combine the rehydrated vegetables, cilantro, red onion, and lime juice.
- Season with salt and pepper, then mix well. Chill for at least an hour before serving with tortilla chips.
Flavorful Main Dishes
Dehydrated foods can seamlessly blend into your main dishes, providing robust flavors and reducing prep time. Try adding Harmony House Dehydrated Mushrooms to your burger patties or incorporating Dehydrated Lentils into a hearty veggie burger mix.
Lentil Veggie Burgers
- 1 cup Harmony House Dehydrated Lentils
- 1/2 cup Harmony House Dehydrated Carrots
- 1/2 cup Harmony House Dehydrated Onions
- 1/2 tsp Dehydrated Garlic
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (or flax egg for a vegan option)
- Rehydrate the lentils, carrots, onions and garlic in hot water for 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the rehydrated ingredients, breadcrumbs, cumin, salt and pepper. Mix in the egg until the mixture holds together. If needed, add more breadcrumbs.
- Form the mixture into patties and cook on a preheated grill over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side, until crispy and heated through.
Side Dishes That Shine
Side dishes often steal the spotlight at cookouts. Using dehydrated vegetables can simplify your prep work while delivering on taste. Harmony House’s Dehydrated Potato Dices are perfect for a quick and easy potato salad.
Herbed Potato Salad
- 2 cups Harmony House Dehydrated Potato Dices
- 1/2 cup Harmony House Dehydrated Celery
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Harmony House Dehydrated Chives for garnish
- Rehydrate the potato dices and celery in hot water for 15-20 minutes. Drain and cool.
- In a large bowl, mix the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, dried dill, salt, and pepper.
- Add the rehydrated potatoes and celery to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish with chopped chives before serving chilled.
Sweet Treats
Don’t forget dessert! Harmony House’s Freeze-Dried Fruits can be a delicious addition to your sweet treats. Make a refreshing fruit salad or incorporate them into baked goods like cookies or bars.
Tropical Fruit Salad
- 1 cup Harmony House Freeze-Dried Pineapple
- 1/2 cup Harmony House Freeze-Dried Mango
- 1/2 cup Harmony House Freeze-Dried Bananas
- Juice of 1 orange
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Rehydrate the pineapple, mango, and bananas in cold water for 15-20 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
- Toss the rehydrated fruit with the orange juice.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve chilled.
Using dehydrated foods from Harmony House Foods can bring convenience and flavor to your Memorial Day cookout. With a little creativity, you can craft dishes that will impress your guests and make your holiday celebration both delicious and memorable. Enjoy your cookout and honor the day with great food and good company!