Recipes to kick off your Memorial Day weekend: Burgers, grilled sausages and a salad

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and proves the perfect time to gather with friends. The goal is to spend as much time as possible outdoors. The food and drinks for the occasion should be easygoing. Especially for the cook.

This cucumber vinegar salad has the perfect balance between sweet and sour flavors plus a hint of fresh dill. The red onion adds a nice crunch.

When the heat of summer sets in I just want to eat meals that will cool me down. My relationship with soups, stews, and basically anything that comes out of the oven is on hold for these next few months. I prefer easy summer dinners that come together quickly when I don’t feel like cooking.