As our nation’s two most patriotic observances approach — Memorial Day and Fourth of July — cooks and hosts out there will turn their thoughts to the feasting that accompanies them.
It may come in the form of cookouts, picnics or big family dinners. Or maybe you’ll be asked to bring along a little something for a neighborhood potluck. Well, here’s one idea that is sure to fit the theme: patriotic biscuits. Recipe developer Beth Jackson Klosterboer shared this flag-waving concept at hungryhappenings.com in 2012. These are a great accompaniment to any main dish. You’ll need patriotic foam stamps, food coloring and a couple of small paint brushes used only for food.
“I purchased my patriotic foam stamp set from Hobby Lobby,” Klosterboer said. Stamps might also be found on eBay or Etsy. If you’re industrious, you could even make your own from craft foam. Can’t locate stamps? Get creative and paint your own designs on the dough. Caution: Use a light hand when applying food coloring to stamps. “If you have puddles of food coloring on the stamp it will bleed once pressed onto the dough, so be sure to brush off any excess,” instructs Klosterboer.
Her biscuits are made from scratch. Store-bought dough can work, too, she said. The designs work well on square-cut biscuit dough shapes, but you may prefer round. Find Klosterboer’s recipe and instructions below.
Oh-so-simple
Other festive touches can amp up the atmosphere. We found several that are crazy simple and pretty inexpensive to do. Among my favorites are individual mason jars filled with a bandanna and cutlery — drinking glass, napkin and utensils, all in one — easy to carry from a buffet.
“Gift wrapped” hot dogs are fun, too. Just purchase a few sheets of red, white and blue patterned scrapbook papers and cut them into strips about 2-inches wide. Band the buns with them and tie with a piece of twine. Sure to make everyone smile.
For the tables, put a few blooms in some of those mason jars, and finish off with a strip of burlap and ribbon tied around the outside.
As the long Memorial Day weekend approaches, we remember its significance, even as we make plans. What started after the American Civil War to honor those who died is now a national observance to salute those lost in all American wars.
In Columbus, the commemoration has special note. Several locales lay claim to the country’s inaugural tribute, but even the United States Department of Veterans Affairs website, va.gov, cites Columbus as one of the very first. On April 25, 1866, a group of women visited what is now Friendship Cemetery where they placed flowers on the graves of not only Confederate fallen, but Union as well.
Whatever the precise origins, the meaning of Memorial Day is so much more than good food, a day off work or sales at local stores. Take time to remember, and fly that flag. Show your colors.
PATRIOTIC BISCUITS
Makes 9 biscuits
2 cups all purpose flour, plus more to dust work surface
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
Red and blue liquid food coloring (grocery store variety)
Supplies:
Patriotic foam stamps
Bench scraper, pizza wheel, or knife
Two paint brushes used for food only
Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
(Source: Beth Jackson Klosterboer, hungryhappenings.com)
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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