Like every American holiday, July 4th is quickly becoming about food. I think Americans love associating holidays with food. Let’s face it: who doesn’t like food? So I thought I would share some family traditions that are sure to make your mouth water this Fourth of July and bring a crowd to the table.
Fourth of July is all about grilling, picnics and yummy colorful desserts. The more red, white and blue a table can have the better. Of course, only a few of these suggestions are original. Most are little treats that I have noticed over the years at other Fourth of July bashes.
So let’s start with the grilling Of course, there is nothing more American than hot dogs and hamburgers. Meals, that are sure to delight the youngest of party-goers as well as the one whose pocket book is paying for the party. But there are a lot of other grill treats from vegetables to meat that can tempt even the picky.
Ribs
My husband’s ribs could make your mouth melt. The key to his success: it takes him most of the day to cook them. He smokes them on a charcoal grill with mesquite wood chips. He wets the chips to make them smoke more. He marinates the ribs in worcestershire sauce, pepper, season salt and garlic. He then places them on the top rack of the grill just to smoke for around four hours or until the meat pulls away from the bone. Right before taking them off the grill, he brushes them with a favorite barbecue sauce. They melt.
Chicken Poppers
For those who like chicken and a little spice, my father-in-law’s recipe is sure to hit the spot. Take a boneless chicken breast and slice it open to make a pocket. Mix whipped cream cheese and a little bit of chopped green onions, stuff cream cheese mix and slice of jalapeno into chicken. Wrap it in thick bacon and hold it together with toothpicks. Cook in on the grill until chicken is done. You can also add small shrimp to the cream cheese to make it even better.
Vegetables
Vegetables taste so much better when they are cooked on the grill. There is nothing better than to cook corn on the cob straight on the grill husk and all. That is why they sell those at fairs! For the red, white look, get creative-grill peppers, onions, anything with color.
Acorn Squash
I wanted, however, to share one of my most favorite vegetables grilled. It is acorn squash. Follow this simple recipe and you will have family lined up at the grill waiting. Cut in half the acorn squash, scrape out seeds and gunk (like in a pumpkin). Put butter, salt, pepper & garlic in both halves. Roast on the grill until it is soft.
Fruit and desserts
The great part about Fourth of July is that you can go from simple with watermelon to extravagant with homemade ice cream. It is also this part of the meal that really interests the kids. It is a great idea to invite them to help make it as well. Here are some of my suggestions:
Fruit Flag
We all have seen this done on tv, magazines, at family functions etc. Cut around seven large bananas into thick slices, toss in lemon juice to keep from turning brown-set aside. Cut strawberries in half and gather 30 blueberries or blackberries.
On cookie sheet or in cake pan, have kids put berries in a square in top left corner. Take toothpicks and allow kids to put a strawberry on top of banana slice then pierce with toothpick. Place in flag formation lines coming from the square of blueberries.
Kid fun
Kids love to get messy. Cook some plain sugar cookies either from frozen dough or scratch. Buy icing tins and add red and blue food coloring to make red, white and blue icing. Buy sprinkles and have a decorate-your-own cookie table. Can also do cupcakes.
Buy different flavors kool-aid, Gatorade, sprite. Let kids mix different colors to make their own red, white and blue drink sensation.
Stump Hole Cake
The best thing ever invented. My mother-in-law gave me this recipe and it is the dessert I always bring to parties. It is so good and rich. It is even great warm with a scoop of ice cream on top.
You mix a stick of butter, one egg, yellow cake mix and a cup of pecans. Press into a long pan and set aside. Then beat two eggs, an 8-ounce box of cream cheese and one box of confectioners sugar. Pour over first layer. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. It is done when it is golden brown on top.
Dirt Cake
This is my dad’s favorite dessert and adds décor to the table. Mix and 8-ounce cream cheese, one cup of powdered sugar, three cups of milk and two packages of Jell-o vanilla pudding. Mix in a 12-ounce cool whip and set aside. Next crumble a package of Oreos a few at a time in a Ziploc bag. Begin layering. Beginning with cookie crumbs, then pudding mixture, ending with cookie crumbs on top. Serve inside a saran wrap lined flowerpot. Place red, white and blue flowers in center of flowerpot. Add gummy worms for added effect.
The great thing about Fourth of July is to spend time with family. My family and I have shared many times around the grill, on picnics and so forth. The food was always great and I am happy to share some of those recipes now. But the time with the family was always better!
