The calendar may say that summer doesn't start until next month, but nearly everybody in America knows better: The season really starts three weeks earlier with Memorial Day weekend.

Officially, Memorial Day -- the last Monday in May -- honors the men and women who have fought in American wars. Informally, it's a time to contemplate our country's past while anticipating the season ahead.

Indeed, almost all the traditions of the long holiday weekend blend both a respect for history and the desire to celebrate with star-spangled parades, outdoor concerts of patriotic music, even the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally on the Capitol Mall in Washington.

Most of us, though, make our Memorial Day traditions close to home. For us, the weekend ushers in the moment to inaugurate both the grill and the picnic table in the first backyard cookout of the season. To that end, this menu offers sizzling steak or chicken, a few salads you can prepare ahead, and a lemony ice cream so refreshing you'll want to make it all summer long.

Memorial Day Menu (Serves 8)
Enjoy these recipes as suggested, or mix and match them with your favorite entrees and sides. You don't even have to choose between the chicken and the beef -- if you can't decide, fix them both.

White Bean and Bacon Dip with Rosemary Pita Chips
Sweet-Spicy Cucumbers over Tomatoes
Grilled Chicken with White Barbecue Sauce

Spice-Rubbed Flank Steak with Spicy Peach-Bourbon Sauce
Succotash Salad
Two-Potato Salad with Creme Fraiche
Lemon-Buttermilk Ice Cream