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Urban Farmie

Your Memorial Day menu, based on your energy level

Published 30 days ago • 2 min read

Hi Reader,

We’re in the Olympic Peninsula (in Washington) for Memorial Day weekend.

We missed the ferry we wanted to get on by 2 cars yesterday (and they cut in line in front of us, so really we should've made the ferry, but that's a story for another day). It did feel like the ferry was full of bikes and coolers and people with very ambitious plans.

Ours is quieter than that. The baby is along for the ride, which is its own kind of plan, and mostly we’re doing slow mornings, cold beaches, and deciding what counts as cooking.

So I made a roundup for both kinds of Memorial Day (aka the cookout and the quiet weekend). Hopefully something in here no matter which weekend you're having.

If you're staying in:

​Microwave corn on the cob​

This is for the quiet weekend people. No grill. No dishes. Eight-ish minutes and suddenly it feels like summer.

I love these cute corn holder skewers because apparently I’ve become that person. [Affiliate link]

​See my low-effort summer dinner move​

​Easy vegan mason jar chickpea salad​

No cooking. Travels well. Gets better overnight.

This is honestly on repeat in my house all summer because it works for lunch, dinner, or standing at the fridge pretending you’re plating.

​Build the salad that saves weeknights​

​Squash and zucchini casserole

The one I make on Sunday and somehow end up eating halfway through the week. Creamy, comforting, reheats suspiciously well.

​Get the casserole that carries leftovers​

​Mexican street corn salad

Frozen corn is completely fine here. Char it in a dry pan and let the lime, crema, cotija situation do the heavy lifting. Linking my favorite citrus zester here if you want to take this up a notch.

​Save this before summer corn gets expensive.​

If you are hosting or want something more fun:

​Stuffed portabello mushrooms

These eat like an actual dinner, not the vegetarian option that accidentally became a side dish.

Bonus: no one asks where the protein is.

​Make the mushrooms that hold their own​

​Mexican corn ribs

Messy in a good way. Crispy edges, big flavor, everyone asks what they are. Bonus points because they feel more impressive than the amount of work required.

​Bring the side people talk about​

​BBQ Tofu Sandwich​

Cookout energy without actually turning on a grill.

Sticky BBQ tofu, crunchy toppings, messy in the correct way. One of those sandwiches that somehow tastes more summery than it should.

​Get the sandwich I'd bring to a cookout​

​Refreshing slaw without mayo​

Crunchy, bright, makes grilled things feel fresher, and somehow tastes even better after sitting for thirty minutes.

Do not dress it the night before. Learned that one for you.

​See the slaw that does all the work​

​Strawberry tiramisu in jars​

Make it the night before and future-you gets to show up to the weekend like someone who planned ahead.

Cold, creamy, actually worth the fridge space.

​Get the make-ahead dessert​

If you make any of these this week, hit reply and tell me which one. I read every reply.

Toodles,
Shruthi

Shruthi B. Makanju

Mom. Engineer. Vegetarian friend on your shoulder.

Will travel for good food; bring it home for Tuesday dinner.

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Urban Farmie has vegetarian recipes inspired by Shruthi's life and travels to 60+ countries! Shruthi shares healthy-ish, weeknight dinners, one pot meals, and quick recipes for busy folks, as well as food and kitchen tips and tricks to live a more sustainable life.

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