4th of July foods

[shabbychick]

Is it too early to start thinking about the 4th of July? I'm planning to invite a few people over for a late lunch/early dinner that day. I don't know if we'll be able to sit outside, as the weather is not always reliable around here in July. I want a menu of summer foods but not necessarily a picnic menu. I'll probably make barbecue chicken and ribs (maybe in the oven because my barbecue won't start) and may ask my sister to bring potato salad. I'll make some kind of red, white, and blue dessert and probably a green salad (depending on how my lettuce harvest is). Can you think of anything else that's perfect to serve for the 4th? Maybe I'll get watermelon so I can make watermelon pickles afterward.

I have been growing herbs in containers and have a decent crop of chives, some dill, and basil. Can you think of an hors d'oeuvre that could feature fresh herbs? I'm thinking maybe something that pairs them with cheese. I don't know much about using fresh basil. I've got cilantro and flat-leaf parsley, too. Any suggestions for these fresh herbs?

Thanks!

[CohenCottage]

I love making fresh pesto with my basil, and we've had good luck using the pesto as a base for a marinade for pork chops. You can also make a good appetizer by slicing fresh mozzarella into rounds and placing that on a plate, then layering fresh tomatoes and basil on top. Then you just drizzle olive oil/balsamic (we use white) vinegar, and a little salt and pepper. If you'd prefer it be more finger food, you can toothpick the cheese, tomato, and basil together and arrange on a platter before drizzling.

We like to make guacamole or 'avacado white bean experience' with our cilantro, and i can post those recipes later! Gotta go finish getting ready for the day.

[shabbychick]

Thanks, Cohen Cottage. That mozzarella hors d'oeuvre sounds great. I might make some pico de gallo, too, for the cilantro. That's one of my new favorite foods. I've never tried to make pesto before, but I bet it's great with homegrown basil. I'll look forward to the recipes you mentioned.

[yarborough house]

Since we have kids I always try to make fruit -schkabobs. But most of the adults end up eating them too. We just buy the skewers that are wood and then cut up watermelon, cantelope, honeydew, pineapple, grapes and a big marshmallow(for kids) into cubes then we put them on the skewers and arrange in a nice big vase or glass bowl. It is pretty and good to eat too.

I have also made the american flag cake for the 4th. We did it with cookie dough as the base of the cake then once baked we put whipped cream on top and then arranged blueberries and and strawberries on top to look like the flag. A trifle of strawberries, blueberries, pound cake and whipped cream would look awesome also.

We will be at the beach over the 4th so I have to get my menu planned also. Heck I have to get my decorations up out side for 4th to put them up before we go.

Bring on the recipes please - I'll need some too.

[RoseMary]

You girls are making me hungry! I'm looking forward to seeing the recipes. I've never made my own petso, either.

Tammy, the fruit kabobs sound great!

We usually just cook out burgers and have potato salad, baked beans, and maybe chips. For dessert, we make an easy 9x13 cheesecake dessert and use the cherry and blueberry pie filling on top to make a flag.

[shabbychick]

I think I'm going to do some kind of baked fried chicken or something. My mother used to make the best fried chicken using her old cast iron skillet and Crisco. I can hear my arteries hardening just thinking about it. I've never been able to duplicate her results, and I've never found fried chicken anywhere to compare. It was the only thing she cooked well, but it was pretty spectacular. Good fried chicken is still one of my favorite foods.

The new Country Living and Martha Stewart magazines have some recipes for 4th of July foods. Martha has one for individual cherry tarts, but I don't have the tart pans for that. I might just make a regular old cherry pie and supplement that with vanilla ice cream and fresh blueberries. My sister, the baker in the family, makes a really good cherry pie using Splenda instead of sugar. She's got the patience for mixing and rolling out dough that I just don't have. I do like the idea of a layered dessert, which would be fun to serve in my new Candlewick water glasses. Hmm...maybe I could do some kind of layered Jello salad in those.

Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies!

[annielinz]

This is always a fav and makes ton and hold up well.

Chinese Chicken Salad
1 head cabbage (or lettuce)
toasted slivered almonds
2-3 pkgs Top Raman noodles crushed
1/2 cup green onions

Dressing
for super simple lazy way:D Girards makes a great Chinese chicken salad dressing.

OR go this route

2 tsp salt
6 Tbs vinegar
4 Tbs sugar
1/2 cup salad oil
3 Tabs sesame oil
1/2 tea pepper
make dressing about a hour ahead to blend well.
If you want to add chicken (tastes great alone too) Boil 3-4 chicken breasts in onion and cilantro salt and pepper. Shred and toss with above ingredients.

[LindaLK]

Good Morning Everyone, :)


It`s not too early to start making a menu. The 4th isn`t that far away. We also bbq burgers, ribs or chicken. We also have potato salad, tuna macaroni salad, cole slaw, ambrosia salad, and of course it wouldn`t be the 4th with out smores. :)


We usually mix it up a little bit with a tossed salad and grilled veggies. Each year we try to add something different. You could also make home~made lemonade or strawberry smoothies. Both are quick and easy to make.


Enjoy the day!



Hugs,
Linda :)

[vintage girl]

I am having a get together the week after on July 11th for all of my train buddies. I commute daily to work on the train. We always get together several times a year at my house. We do chicken and sausages on the grill, with fresh grilled veggies (squash, zucchnini, peppers, beans, corn on the cob). Big bowl of green salad with more fresh veggies, potatoe salad, watermelon, cantaloupe, chips with dip and quacamole. Everyone brings either a side dish or dessert. Several of my friends are Filipino and Haitian, so we get a lot of wonderful interesting dishes. After sundown we bring out fruit sangria and make smores at our firepits. We turn up the music, push the tables and chairs out of the way and dance night away. I normally invite about 20, but usually end up with half the neighborhood. We hook up fans so that everyone stays cool. I love parties!!