Ben and I were up circa 3am this morning to get to the KCCI studios, unpack, and get situated in time to kick off my Fresh & Flavorful Memorial Day Menu segments starting at 5:10am!
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Usually I cook just one dish when I’m on, but since the long Memorial Day weekend is upon us, we thought it’d be fun to show a whole menu you could prepare for the holiday, in four different segments throughout the morning.
This time I cooked with reporter Molly Nelson. We had so much fun – and I said yeah about 5,000 times! Click here to see the video from our last segment, which starts out as dessert, but ends in an impromptu, on-air party. 
Let me break (just typed bread) the menu down for ya’!
Drink
First we whipped up a couple Strawberry Mojitos (at 5:10am, I might add, which gave new meaning to the phrase “it’s 5:00 somewhere!”)
Now, I planted mint in my garden this year just so I could sip these super refreshing cocktails all summer long. Mojitos are one of my all-time faves. I pumped up the normal concoction of simple syrup, mint, lime juice, and rum though, with fresh strawberry slices, and strawberry simple syrup. You will adore these strawberry mojitos and best of all, if you don’t drink alcohol, they are just as refreshing without the rum.
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Side
Next we assembled a super-easy side dish – Grilled Corn Orzo Salad with Chili Lime Vinaigrette. I am so in love with this recipe (as is Steve Karlan, who wolfed down this bowl of it after we finished taping!)
Rice-shaped orzo pasta is tossed with sweet grilled corn, juicy grape tomatoes, creamy avocado, crunchy red onion, and fresh chopped basil, then drizzled with smokey Chili Lime Vinaigrette, which is infused with a kiss of honey. This. Dish. ROCKS.
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Main
I posted the recipe for Grilled Flank Steak with Salsa Verde on the blog last summer, but had to resurrect it for this morning’s grilling segment, because it is just that good.
Flank steak is one of Ben’s and my favorite cuts of meat. It cooks really fast on a really hot grill, and turns to buttah in your mouth when it’s sliced thinly, and against the grain. The parsley-based salsa verde served on the side for dipping, adds pops of bright, zesty flavors to each bite. This is a total grill winner!
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Dessert
I might be the most excited about the dessert we made for the last segment – Boozy Berry Cups! This recipe is inspired by the wine-marinated berries I had in California last week, and is as easy as it is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Fresh blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries marinate in the fridge for about 2 hours, in a little bit of sugar and petite sirah wine, before they’re drizzled over good-quality vanilla-bean ice cream. The berries release their juices as they get happy in the wine, creating a sweet, syrupy liquid to drizzle over the ice cream. I CAN’T STAND IT!
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Hope you’ll give some of these fresh and easy recipes a try this weekend! 
In the meantime, I am off to BED, in a bit! My 2:45am alarm this morning has left me yawning uncontrollably, and nobody likes a yawner, in my experience. Have a great night!
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Do you have any special plans for Memorial Day?
I think Ben and I are going to head to the Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning, but other than that, we’ve got nothing on the agenda. Kinda nice, I guess!
Everything looks great! I think I will make some chili lime vinaigrette for all of my salads this week! Btw not sure I would be so camera-ready at 5 in the morning…Kudos
I can’t wait to try that side dish! Looks delicious!
Um, that all looks amazing! I’m especially jazzed to try the strawberry mojitos and the orzo salad. Mmmmm….
These all look good!
Cute voice : )
I make a similar salad only I use quinoa in place of the orzo. That dessert looks amazing!
The image in my head right now is of Ben snacking on flank steak and sipping mojitos at the butt crack of dawn while helping you set up on set.
YUM! My husband’s birthday is tomorrow and we’re having a BBQ and I think that orzo salad will have to make the menu.
Every thing looks amazing. I’m growning mint in my garden jus for mojito’s, too!!
Girl you are rocking out this TV thing! Awesome job and all of the recipes look just fantastic!
Loved, loved, loved your outfit this morning. The gold detail in the neckline is TO DIE for. SO stylish. Anyhoo, kudos to four great segments. I caught the last two live but checked out the uber early ones online. I can’t wait to try the Mojitos….yummy…..
PS…..you and Ben need to try Citron vodka, Ginger Beer, and Ruby Red Grapefruit juice for a fun Moscow Mule! Sounds funky but so good.
How cute that Ben was there too…………..you have the best recipes!!! I love your blog:)
Kristin! I love love your red blazer! Can I ask where you got it from?
Thanks;)
Renee
Thanks! I got it from Express!
Everything looks delicious.
Love the “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere” haha !!! All these recipes look phenomenal, great job!
Wow! Everything looks fabulous and yummy! Congrats on your tv appearance! You should be so proud of yourself! Angie xo
How exciting!! You are so brave to go in from of the camera…I’d be a nervous wreck! Love all your memorial day recipes, especially the flank steak
Great on air presence — you’re so real. That’s awesome that Ben was your support staff
Perhaps I’ll run into you in the pupusa line at the farmers market — thanks for helping me locate if a few weeks ago!
Great segment, lady! So fun to see you “in person.” Also, can I just say, you have the shiniest hair ever! You’ll have to share what products you use because whatever it is, I want to buy it!
I just Tresemme, I think the volume boosting variety!
These recipes look FAB! My husband and I are driving to my parents house (8 hours), then meeting my brother and his family at a lake house for our first family vacation
I think it will be just wonderful! I’ve already planned the menu and there will be IGE’s recipes had by all! Yum! Enjoy the weekend!
Ha! I was just about to ask you about your hair products too! Please share…your hair is beautiful (as are you)!
Can’t wait to try the boozy berry cups!
I just use Tresemme!
My 21st birthday is this weekend, and I’ll be celebrating with my family. I’m so glad I checked your blog today because the strawberry mojito and the boozy berry cups look like great ideas to add to my birthday menu! Thanks for getting up at such an ungodly hour to share these awesome recipes with everyone!
Girl… do you have a culinary degree? Your combination with flavors and the way you describe food always leaves my mouth watering!
I really like this Strawberry Mojito idea. Regular Mojitos can be a bit strong for me. Also, I’m glad to know I’m not the only Farmers Market addict. We’re headed to the Twin Cities for a wedding this weekend and I made sure the hubby booked late morning flights so that I could still make a quick round of the stalls!
The last dessert pic is awesome! Beautiful food photography.
Looks great – especially the steak! I won’t get to plan a menu since I’m attending a party, but I will at least bring my whole wheat & cornmeal jalapeno muffins.
You look lovely! The boozy berry cup is such a winner!
OH my. all this looks great! I cannot wait to try the orzo salad! BTW. I am pretty sure that boozy berry idea is a Rachael Ray concept. Im going to pin this!!!
[...] Grilled Corn Orzo Salad with Chili Lime Vinaigrette from Iowa Girl Eats [...]
Boozy berry cups are for sure happening in my near future! What a super idea!
As for this weekend at the market, you need to look into Thelma’s Ice Cream Sandwiches (big red oven mit on their stand)! They’re delicious and might be the perfect fit for your Saturday AM sweet tooth! Three delicious flavors of Snickerdoodle, Spicy Chocolate Chip, Chocolate chip! Amazing! Love snickerdoodle!
Everything you made that morning looked fantastic. I have trouble with toast at 7 AM, so I’m in awe you could muddle mint at 5
[...] we’re on the topic, I had some people ask what products I use on my hair after my last KCCI appearance. For shampoo & conditioner I use TRESemme’s 24 Hour Body Healthy Volume line, which is [...]
How far in advance can you make the orzo salad? Would it be alright to make it a day ahead sans avocado and then add that before you serve?
You could prepare the ingredients a day ahead, then dress the salad and add the avocado the day of.
[...] Fresh & Flavorful Memorial Day Menu [...]