This weekend is Memorial Day and you know what that means? Time to have a party and grill! Below are a couple of spins on some Iowa classics to add a little spice to your Memorial Day grill out.

Garlic Parm Brussel Sprouts  

• Fresh Brussel sprouts  
• Kabob sticks  
• Garlic powder  
• Fresh parm  
• Salt  
• Butter  
• Pepper (if you want)  

Kabob as many as you can on a stick and grill your spouts low and slow to sure you get the little charred spots for a little extra summer flavor. As soon as it’s cool enough to add a little butter let it melt and sprinkle on your garlic, salt, and pepper. Make a little plate that is designated for the parmesan and roll your kabob in the finely grated cheese and enjoy!

Sweet and Spicy Corn  

• Sweet Corn  
• Honey butter ( you can make this )  
• Chili powder or your favorite hot sauce  
• Salt  
• Pepper (if you want)  

Before grilling set out butter and allow it to get to room temperature and stir in as much honey as your heart desires. I like my honey butter a little less sweet, so I use a little less than six to one ratio. Grill your corn as usual and spread generously with honey butter. Salt and pepper as preferred and drizzle with hots sauce or sprinkle a light dusting of chili powder.

Cauliflower (or regular) Steaks  

• Cauliflower  
• Favorite steak seasoning (We love Amana Colonies. Check the label if you are making this for vegan friends)  
• Olive Oil  
• Minced garlic  
• Lemon  

In a large bowl stir together all of the seasonings. For two to four servings, depending on how large of a cauliflower tree you got, mix 3 tbsp of olive oil with 2 tbsp of your steak seasoning, a clove of minced garlic, a good squeeze of lemon juice (roughly one tbsp if you are a measurer). You can salt and pepper it now if you’d like or you can wait for it to be cooked. Slice up the cauliflower so they resemble steaks and coat both sides in the mixture. Allow it to rest in the mixture to marinate while you go and cook other things for half an hour or so and come back and grill each steak for four or five minutes or until both sides are golden. Make sure you have saved any marinade you had leftover because you’ll brush the steaks with it again and enjoy! This marinade is also yummy on regular steaks. Follow the same instructions but cook the steak according to your liking.

Fruit Salad  

• All of your favorite fruits
• Pineapple  
• Grapes  
• Apples
• Kiwi  
• Blueberries  
• Strawberries  
• Melon  

Sprinkle your fruits with lemon juice to keep them looking appetizing and to keep them from getting wilted fast. Yum!

Taco Dip  

• Refried beans  
• Black beans  
• Guacamole  
• Sour cream  
• Cheese  
• Cilantro  
• Tomatoes  
• Jalapenos  
• Taco seasoning  
• Tortilla chips  

Spread an even layer of re-fired beans over the bottom of a brownie pan then spread black beans over the top. If you would like you can also add a layer of taco meat, go for it but it’s not necessary Next add a thick layer of guacamole. You can home make this at home or get a little kit from the store. Next, add a layer of sour cream and top it off with a layer of cheese. You can purchase the cheese with the taco seasoning already in it (when it comes to a grill out, the easier the better) but if you already had cheese you wanted to use, sprinkle the taco seasoning on top of this later. Last is cilantro, tomatoes, and jalapenos. Might be a good idea to designate half of the pan to spicy and the other half to not, but you know your gang.

Memorial Day isn’t about food and having a grill out, it’s about mourning and appreciating our fallen soldiers so be sure to take a moment to honor them. Have a great weekend!