Need some inspiration? Here are some recipes to make for the Fourth of July! I’ve picked some fresh salads, easy appetizers, delicious ideas for the grill, and summer desserts that will help round out a delicious menu!
Hey, how’ve you been? I’ve been working on some recipes but it’s been one of those weeks where I’m making good stuff, but not good enough yet to post. It can be frustrating to get a recipe just to where you want it.
And my family? Let’s just say they’re “over” some of the recipe testing. Nobody wants any more of whatever I’m testing. They liked it the first time…and the second and even enjoyed the third. But, I’m getting resistance now. I get it. I’m over it too.
I find it’s best to set those recipe tests aside and revisit at a later time. You know…let my palate have time to reset itself.
Some recipes can just be more difficult to get right, like the best pumpkin scones and my pumpkin ale cake. Pumpkin can be a tricky ingredient when it comes to texture. All that moisture can throw the balance off in a recipe.
Besides, recipe testing is more difficult these days, especially when it’s been difficult to get some ingredients, like flour or yeast. I hate to use too much of an ingredient that I’m not sure I’ll be able to replenish.
I will say, it took me some time, but I finally scored a bag of flour. Ummm, a 50 lb bag of flour! It was a situation where I could commit to 50 lbs or live without. So, I took the leap and now I have just the slightest bit of flour anxiety ;) Good thing there’s quite a bit of baking in my future….
But, for now? I think we’ve all had enough. We’re looking for something new and different. So, we’re taking a break…just in time for the holiday weekend.
In fact, we’re going a little non-traditional this weekend. No burgers or dogs on the grill this year.
Instead, my family’s been missing a hot chicken sandwich they like to get at a local restaurant. So, I’m going to make this one and hopefully it will satisfy that spicy chicken craving.
I had to search for some of the ingredients. I swear we have every kind of paprika except hot hungarian paprika. And no grocery store near me carried it. Actually, World Market probably had it, but they weren’t open, so I ordered it on line.
Fingers crossed that it’s going to be delicious with just the perfect amount of spice. I think it’s just the remedy to wake things up a little around here :)
Recipes to Make for the Fourth of July
Make a pitcher or just a glass with this recipe that starts with a lemon simple syrup. Just add water and ice and you're ready to go!
There are so many options with this iced tea. You'll start by making the most delicious easy peachy syrup. You can use it as a clear syrup, as a syrup with peaches in it or as a peachy puree. Just add to some fresh brewed iced tea and don't forget to top it off with a sprig of mint!
You've got the red, white and blue built right into this healthy spinach salad. The honey poppy seed dressing is not too sweet and brings all those sweet and savory flavors together.
Strawberries and cucumbers pair well in this cool and refreshing salad. Drizzle it with a honey orange dressing and top it off with some salty feta and herby basil.
This one is my dad's recipe and is perfect for those who love simple red wine vinegar dressed salad. It's a great way to use those summer tomatoes and green beans. Just steam the green beans and hard boil some eggs. Once you toss everything together, the egg mixes with the vinaigrette and makes everything a little creamy. A great side dish!
If you want to switch your classic potato salad up a bit, this one is a good choice. I used roasted fingerling potatoes (but you can use boiled potatoes and skip heating up the oven) The kicker here is the avocado, lime and cilantro flavors. Think cilantro lime rice, but with potatoes :) So good!
I swear when you add grilled corn to anything, it just makes it better. Enter this grilled corn salad tossed with fresh garden tomatoes and peppers. The dressing couldn't be easier. It all happens right in the same bowl. Just a bit of sugar, a quick squeeze of lime, salt and pepper. Stir and enjoy!
Here we go with the grilled corn again...but now in dip form! This is an easy dip to make with fresh corn, tomato and cucumber. Layer it up on top of a thick spread of hummus, add just a few more ingredients and dip away with some fresh naan. We love this so much, we'll just grab a spoon and make sandwiches with it. Delicious!
Ever since I developed this recipe, it's been a frequent member of our meal rotation. I use a favorite bottled peanut dressing from Trader Joe's to make it extra easy. I love it mixed with angel hair, but my family really loves eating the cold salad on top of a scoop of hot rice. I also love it on top of cauliflower rice. Sprinkle with some chopped peanuts and you are good to go!
How can something so simple be so delicious? Thick, grilled slices of zucchini get that smoky flavor from grilling, the fresh mozzarella gets melty and glorious...Then, just slice up a juicy tomato and top off with fresh basil and prepare to swoon!
This is another fave in our house. If you love really flavorful chicken, this marinade full of garlic, onion and warm spices is going to be right up your alley. Grill it and then serve it over rice or search Moroccan Couscous on the site and you've got one delicious dinner!
Not a Philly cheesesteak but just as good. Thin slices of tender cooked steak are piled high with gruyere cheese, roma tomatoes, fresh spinach, red onion and an easy to make basil mayonnaise. Wrap in foil and bake in the oven or on the grill until the bread is toasty and the cheese is melty. We make it with a whole loaf of ciabatta bread and slice to serve. One big sandwich feeds the whole family!
Mix up an easy no bake cheesecake dip, spread it on a serving plate, then go to town with your own fruity design. Cookie dippers finish it off. I wouldn't be lying if I told you that there's NEVER any leftovers of this impressive looking treat. Head on over to the post to see the video that shows how easy it is to put this dessert together!
Ok, so they look more pink, white and purple than red, white and blue, but you get the idea. These treats are flavored and colored naturally with blueberries and strawberries. That fruity punch of flavor takes this classic treat over the top!
Mix up the no bake cheesecake filling in one bowl, then layer it generously with chocolate wafers. Add some blueberries for an easy red, white and blue dessert. Super simple and fun to assemble!
Oh my, how I love this pie! It starts with a graham cracker crust. I made mine from scratch but feel free to buy one ready made. The filling couldn't be easier with 4 ingredients that whip up in a flash. Layer some sliced bananas, then whipped cream and top with a Nutella sauce (super easy to make, or your favorite chocolate sauce) then a sprinkling of toffee chips. If you love banana cream pie, I think this will become a new favorite.
Move over chocolate covered strawberries...I found this little treat one summer in a boardwalk fudge shop and decided to recreate it at home. Juicy, chocolatey and creamy, you'll be surprised at how well this fruit works with chocolate.
The title says New Year's but you can make these Oreo truffles any day of the year. (They were originally made for a pirate party :) Add a little licorice "fuse" to the "firework" or leave it out and maybe top with some festive red, white and blue sprinkles. It's another super easy, no bake treat.
Throw a vanilla wafer in a cup and mix up a quick 4 ingredient filling. (Sweetened condensed milk is the miracle ingredient here.) Bake. Cool. Then, top with some whipped cream and maybe a tiny wedge of lime, if you're feeling fancy :)
If you must have chocolate on the 4th, let it be these hearty bars where chocolate is paired with its best friend, peanut butter. Basically, you're baking a fudgy brownie on top of a peanut butter blondie. And yes, you can use your favorite boxed brownie mix, if you'd like to take a short cut. Either way, you're going to want to sink your teeth into one of these!
Got rhubarb and no idea what to do with it? Make an easy crisp and top with some vanilla ice cream. The tart, almost lemony rhubarb is a perfect partner to the strawberries and sweet crisp topping. And, c'mon... isn't it pretty?