4th of July Fixin’s
I started this post a few days ago and intended to post this before your glorious 4th festivities began, but I just plain ran out of time. However these recipes are great ALL SUMMER LONG! I just love how the 4th of July brings out the heart of America. The traditions, the cause that we celebrate, and the history of our nation make it one of my top three favorite holidays. Like many of you, we are taking in a parade, gathering with family, and of course watching fireworks (the boys first) in celebration of our nation’s independence.
Of course no American holiday is complete without traditional trimmings and fixin’s! I wanted to share a few of my favorite 4th of July menu items with you!
Burgers on the Grill
You simply can’t go wrong with McCormick’s Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning. Generously sprinkle both sides and work into the patties. Not over spiced…just perfection!
Grilled Corn on the Cob
The secret to grilling these “dandies” is leaving the husks ON! The husks will protect your corn from being chewy and dry. It also gives it a delicious smokey flavor. You can soak the husks for 30 minutes before applying them directly on the grill, but I’ve skipped this step and it’s turned out just as tasty. First remove several of the outer layers of husk, but keep a full layer or two. Then pull back the remaining husks and remove as much of the silk as possible, while leaving the husks in tact. Place on the hot grill. Cover. Turn the corn occasionally, until the husks are charred on all sides, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Mom’s Baked Beans
Mix together in a baking dish: 1 Can of Beans (I use Van Camp Pork and Beans), 1/4 c Ketchup, 2 T Brown Sugar, A squirt of Mustard, and a good sprinkle of Minced Onion. Microwave until Hot. Simply Delicious!
Flag Cake
Another festive favorite is to take a pound cake (this was my sister’s homemade recipe), top it with whipped cream and add cut up strawberries for the stripes and blueberries for the stars. It’s a always crowd pleaser!
Please leave YOUR favorite 4th of July menu items (with recipes) in the comment section. I want to hear about your traditional spread!
We do a parade with face painting and patriotic clothes. Then have a huge BBQ. This was my brothers first fourth home in 6yrs!!! Anyways our recipes, include steak tips, that are marinated in lime juice (Mmmm), grilled corn on the cob, baked beans, and the desset we do is a Patriotic Trifle:
Ingredients: angel food cake, cool whip, vanilla pudding, strawberried and blueberries.
We mix a box of the pudding with 3/4 of the cool whip, layer this on the bottom of the trifle bowl, then we do a layer of sliced strawberries, then a layer of blueberries, then repeat. Once you get to the top, you do the plain cool whip and garnish with more fruit.
PS hope your fourth was spectacular
I think we have a new tradition for our family: Berry Brownies. YUM!
Make brownies according to the directions on the box for a 9×13 pan. Cool.
Beat 1 cup of whipping cream until stiff. Set aside. Wash 1 qt of berries. (We used blackberries and raspberries–YUMMY!) Set aside.
Combine 8oz of cream cheese, 3 Tbs granulated sugar, an 1/2 tsp vanilla. Fold in whipped cream. Spread over brownies. Cover with washed berries, chill, and serve cold.
Snicker bar Apple Salad
2 Lg. boxes of instant vanilla pudding
2 cups of milk
6-8 Large apples cut and diced
Red/Green grapes
1 bag miniture Snicker bars
1 tub of cool whip
Add milk to pudding mix in a bowl and fold pudding. Then remove cores from apples and cut and dice to bite sized pieces. Fold the apples into mix but don't over stir. Add in the cool whip and the grapes. Fold the mix. The slice mini snicker bars in half and add to the mix.(or you can use the candy bar of your choice such as twix,3 musketeers,milky way. I found these seem to work the best just in case someone has a peanut allergy). fold all the above into the mix. refridgerate at least one hour and serve chilled. Enjoy!
This will feed at least to 20-30 people for a potluck summer picnic. You may reduce the recipe according to the amount of people you intend to serve.
~Darlene~ a new follower in N. Dak.
Youre making me hungry now 🙂
I love to make that cake! We made it with jello last year (blue and red) and it looked super cute!
Hope you guys had a great 4th!!!
That picture w/ the cake is hilarious!
I'm late to the game *again*, but one of my favorite all time grilling meals is chicken breast marinated in KC Masterpiece CArribean Jerk Marinade. It is PHENOMENAL! Love it!
I have a great cobbler recipe that is super easy.
2 c fruit (you can use whatever you choose – peaches, blueberries, rhubarb, strawberry rhubarb, rasberries…)
3/4 c sugar
mix together and let sit.
take a stick of butter and put it in a pan and put in the oven at 350
mix dough: 1 c sugar, 1 c flour, 1 c milk (the recipe calls for whole, I've used everything from skim to half 2% and some cream), 1 tsp baking powder
dough may be a little lump, don't worry about it.
take the pan with the melted butter out of the oven. pour in the lump dough mix. stir a tad of the melted butter into the dough. spoon on the fruit/sugar mixture and distribute as evenly as possible.
bake at 350 for about 60 min or until brown, bubbly and done.
enjoy with vanilla ice cream
it's been a big hit. feel free to double fruit and dough mixtures, mix fruit, make it healthier by using whole wheat flour (haven't tried raw sugar), or add a bit of lemon juice to fruit and lemon zest to dough.
love these updates and pictures Jen! I cannot believe how much the kiddos are growing up.
Cat