HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the
ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation which had become official January 1. One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with: The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer.
Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. The story often was the messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another is that the news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. A range of activities were provided to entertain the masses, many of continue a tradition today. Rodeos, fishing, barbecuing and baseball are a few of the typical Juneteenth activities. Certain foods became popular and Synonymous with Juneteenth celebrations such as
Strawberry soda pop.Today the most popular traditional is barbecuing.
On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official Texas states holiday.

WHAT'S COOKIN' IN JUNE

What a year we are moving right along can you believe we are half way through the year. June doesn’t have a major holiday but my family celebrates June 19 with a big Juneteenth picnic. This month I will share some of my family favorite Juneteenth recipes. I would love to share the story of Juneteenth with you, it one of those story every African American should know.

Mini Sandwiches
1 dozen mini French rolls
1 pound smoked ham, shaved
1 pound smoked turkey, shaved
Sandwich spread

Slice French rolls (be careful not to slice all the way through).
Spread sandwich spread on bottom part of roll.
Top spread with ham or turkey. Make 12 mini sandwiches.

THE PREFECT HAMBURGER

HOW TO MAKE THE PREFECT HAMBURGER

Burgers may be the basic of all picnic menus, but they needn't be boring. Jazzed up with spices and seasonings or topped with your favorite condiments, a good burger is hard to beat. From basic lettuce, tomato, and pickle to sautéed onions or bacon, the possibilities are endless. Burgers just taste better when cooked on the grill and enjoyed outdoors.

Building a better burger is easy when you follow these suggestions:
Make sure the grill is the appropriate temperature too hot, and the burgers will burn on the outside before getting done on the inside. Medium-low to medium heat is best.
Keep the lid closed while cooking. A closed lid retains heat, shortening the cooking time and thus keeping the burgers moist.
Use beef that is no leaner than 85% Fat is needed for the burgers to be moist and flavorful.
If using ground turkey or chicken, add a little broth or olive oil to keep them moist.
Use a gentle touch overworking the mixture will produce a tough burger. Mix ingredients just until combined.
Don't form patties too thick or too thin A ¾-inch thick patty is ideal for even cooking. To keep patties from swelling in the middle, make small indention in the center.
Always clean and oil the grill grate This prevents burgers from sticking, extends the life of your grate and helps put those beautiful grill-marks on your patties.
Turn burgers only once and never, ever, press burgers with the back of a spatula: the sizzling sound may be fun to make, but the pressure releases all of the flavorful juices.
Cook burgers properly for safety's sake; cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (170 degrees F for poultry).
To check the temperature, insert the thermometer into the patty horizontally for an accurate reading.

SOUL FOOD FAMILY OUTING MENUS

When you are planning a picnic, family group picnic or just an old-fashioned get together, these soul food picnic menus work quite well for outdoor gatherings.

PICNIC MENUS

GRILLED SMOKED SAUSAGE
Grilled Hamburgers
Macaroni Salad
Baked Beans or Chips
Watermelon Wedges
Sandwich Buns
Lemonade/Iced Tea

BBQ CHICKEN
Grilled Hamburgers
Grilled Hot Dogs
Southern Potato Salad
Macaroni Salad or Corn on Cob
Rolls and Buns
Lemonade/Raspberry Tea

BBQ SPARE RIBS
Grilled Smoked Sausage
Southern Potato Salad
Fresh Garden Salad with Dressing
Baked Beans
Rolls and Buns
Lemonade/Raspberry Tea

Mini Sandwiches
Potato Chips
Fresh Fruit
Cookies
Lemonade/Raspberry Tea

KIDS PICNIC MENUS

GRILLED HOT DOGS WITH BUNS
Corn on Cob
Baked Beans
Potato Chips
Cookies
Fruit Punch