4th of July Recipes

The 4th of July is not only a day to celebrate our country, its also a day to celebrate food!  Parades, Fireworks, and BBQs are traditional parts of 4th of July celebrations in the United States.

To help you carry on the tradition of great food on the 4th,  here are some amazing recipes to help you serve up some tasty eats and treats to go along side the prerequisite burgers, dogs.

They’ll help you create a fabulous party of your own, or, if you’re heading to a party – don’t show up empty handed.  You’ll be a total hit if you bring any one (or two!) of these recipes.

Potato Salad

From allrecipes.com, a basic version of the classic summertime dish.  Add things like bacon, dill pickles, deli mustard….or whatever else you can come up with to make this recipe your own.

Ingredients

• 5 pounds red potatoes
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender but still firm. Drain, cool and cut into cubes.
2. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
3. In a large bowl, combine chopped potatoes and eggs. Mix together mayonnaise, chopped onion, green onion, green pepper, and celery. Season with salt and pepper, then mix well. Cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Stars and Stripes Berry Cake

This is what I’m making for desert on the 4th of July.  I., K., and O. are all huge berry fans, as is Mr. T.  It’s really simple, festive, and….Yummy!

Best of all, this time of year I can make it with fresh, local blueberries and strawberries!

YUM!!

Ingredients

• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup butter
• 4 cups confectioners sugar
• 2-6 T milk
• 2 t vanilla
• 2 cups blueberries
• 2.5 cups strawberries sliced

Directions

1. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.  Add eggs, milk, applesauce, and vanilla. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then high for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl frequently.
2. Pour batter into greased and floured 9×13 inch pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.
3. Let the cake cool.
4. Make the icing by blending the butter, confectioners sugar and enough milk to get the right consistency, as well as the vanilla.  Mix it for several minutes to make it whipped.
5. Then ice the cake.  After you’re done add the blueberries in the upper left corner, for the field of blue.  Then, slice the strawberries in half, and make the stripes.

Tropical Punch

Every good BBQ needs punch and this one really has….punch!  Its non-alcoholic, although I’m sure if you tried you could remedy that!

Here’s a tip, be sure all the juices and the water/soda are chilled already so you don’t have to dilute the punch by adding ice.

Ingredients

32 oz bottle pineapple juice

32 oz orange juice

32 oz mango juice

32 oz sparkling water or lemon lime soda

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl or pitcher and serve.