NBCChicago.com will offer live video coverage of Sunday's MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive event.

Coverage begins online at 5:30 a.m. and concludes at 9 a.m.

The annual event allows thousands of bikers to cruise down 30 scenic miles of Chicago's famed Lake Shore Drive. Many of those taking part will be raising funds support local and global efforts.

Proceeds benefit the Active Transportation Alliance, which promotes biking, walking and public transit in the city.
 
Registration fees range from $15 to $86, with some including a membership to the Active Transportation Alliance.

Follow NBC Chicago on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Google+


 

I love coming up with ways to make dishes and drinks with a red white and blue flair for patriotic celebrations. For Memorial Day, here's a fun way to toast the holiday. This red, white and blue layered drink is colorful, tasty, and can be made with or without alcohol so the whole family can enjoy it. I used tall glasses in the recipe, but you can reduce the amount per serving and make them in smaller clear plastic cups as well.  The amount per serving will vary depending on the size of the cups or glasses you choose to use.

The Red, White & Blue
Makes 6 servings, about 16 ounces each

Ingredients
(non alcoholic version)

1 pkg Blueberry Jell-O, 3oz size
1 small packet Knox Unflavored Gelatin
1 container Vanilla Yogurt, your preference, 8oz size
1 pkg Frozen Strawberries, 10oz size
12 oz can Frozen Lemonade Concentrate, 10oz size
1 tbl Sugar
Boiling Water, Ice, and cold water
6 Tall Glasses, 16-18 oz size
Blender

Canned Whipped Cream, optional for garnish
1 cu Fresh Blueberries, optional for garnish

Method

Early in the day or the day before, make the first two layers.  Pour blueberry Jell-O into a medium sized bowl. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over mixture and stir for 2 minutes until fully dissolved. Add 1 cup of cold water and stir.  Carefully pour mixture into the bottom of glasses.  Refrigerate for 4 hours.

After 4 hours, pour unflavored gelatin in a medium sized bowl. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over gelatin and stir for 2 minutes until fully dissolved.  Put yogurt in a measuring cup and add cold water until the combine volume is 1 1/4 cups. Stir to mix well and add to dissolved gelatin. Carefully pour mixture into glasses over blue layer.  I've found that a funnel is a great way to smoothly pour this layer over the first.  Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before the final step.

Meanwhile, pour lemonade concentrate into a pitcher. Using the lemonade can, add 3 cans of cold water to the concentrate and stir to combine.  Set aside in the refrigerator. 

When ready to serve drinks, fill a blender with about 3 1/2 cups of ice.  Add 3 cups of lemonade, the frozen strawberries, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Blend until smooth (add a little more lemonade if mixture is too thick). Carefully pour into glasses on top of yogurt layer. For an optional garnish, add a bit of whipped cream and top with blueberries.  Serve with straws and long (iced tea) spoons so guest can spoon out the gelatin layers.

The Red, White & Blue Alcoholic Version
each 16oz drink will have approximately 1 1/2 oz of vodka

Follow the method above with the following substitutions:

For the blue layer, substitute 2 ounces of vodka for 2 ounces of cold water.
For the white layer, substitute 2 ounces of vodka for 2 ounces of cold water.
For the blended layer, add about 5 ounces of vodka and use 3 ounces less lemonade.

If you have any comments or questions, please send me an email at wayne@waynesweekend.com or follow me on facebook or twitter.