Celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks and these four recipes! Try one or try them all — and have a happy and delicious Independence Day!
American Apple Pie
Apple Pie is an American cultural icon, like Uncle Sam, baseball, and the Statue of Liberty. And it’s the perfect portable pie for your 4th of July picnic!
If you are a crust fanatic you can make your own, but we like to start with a ready-made refrigerated piecrust. Unroll and place the bottom crust into a deep-dish pie pan and preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
Peel, core and thinly slice six large Granny Smith apples. Tart apples work great in pies! Add them to a large bowl. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice onto your apple slices to prevent browning, and then sprinkle on ½ cup of granulated sugar, ½ cup of brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and cinnamon powder to taste. Toss in two tablespoons of flour and gently stir to coat.
Add your apple mixture into your pie dish. Slice four thin pats of butter and place them evenly on top of your apples. Unroll and add the top piecrust, fluting the edges together. Cut a few slits on top to vent your pie while baking. Use a pie shield, or cover the edges with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake your crust for another 15 minutes or until done. Set your pie aside to cool completely before serving. Top it with ice cream for a home run!
Firecracker Shrimp
We know the summertime is a busy time of year! Save yourself a lot of time by starting with ready-made fried shrimp in the frozen food section of your local grocery store. After all, it’s the sauce that makes this dish pop!
In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup of mayonnaise, ¼ cup of Thai sweet chili sauce, and a few drops of your favorite hot pepper sauce for that extra kick.
Cook your fried shrimp according to package directions, and toss them in your homemade sauce, coating well. Or if you prefer, serve your sauce on the side for dipping.
Top your shrimp with chopped scallions or chives from your summer herb garden, and be prepared for the ooohs and ahhhs from your guests!
Red White and Blue Burger
Red, white and blue are the colors of our flag, and the 4th of July would not be complete without a cookout. Why not combine the two, for the ultimate Independence Day burger! Skip the usual toppings and wow the crowd with roasted red peppers, caramelized sweet onions, and fresh blue cheese! Simple and spectacular, these burgers will be the star of the party!
Watermelon Blueberry Salad
Sticking with the red, white and blue theme, watermelon salad is a refreshing twist to the traditional tossed salad. When picking a watermelon, look for one that has a uniform shape, and is heavy for its size. The underside should have a yellow spot where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sunshine. The darker the yellow spot, the sweeter the melon will be! Choose a seedless watermelon for this salad and wash the rind before cutting.
Start by placing fresh arugula and Bibb lettuce in large a serving bowl. Cut your watermelon into bite-sized cubes and add to the bowl. Add two cups of fresh, washed blueberries, and a handful of halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and cucumber slices. Next, sprinkle on some cold Feta cheese, drizzle on a tablespoon of honey and some balsamic vinegar, and enjoy! Happy 4th of July!
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