CELEBRATING JULY 4TH, DESSERT TIME!

The desserts I serve depend on how many guest 
I expect to come by.   I always make red, white,
and blue Jello Poke cake.  My really guests enjoy
it since I serve it on a hot sunny day.  My cookies
and cupcakes are a hit too. I have been collecting decorative cupcake liners for many years. The July
4th liners are very cute!!

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RED * WHITE* BLUE * POKE CAKE

2 layer white cake mix

egg, water, oil as listed in directions

3 oz strawberry gelatin

1 C boiling water

1/2 C cold water

8 oz  Cool Whip

Strawberries or Patriotic candy sprinkles 
for garnish

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Prepare cake according 
to package directions. Pour the batter into greased 
9x 3 pan. See directions for baking time.  Cool the cake completely.  Poke cake with a fork. Mix the gelatin with boiling water until dissolved. Stir in 
the cold water. Pour gelatin over cake.  Top the 
cake with the whipped topping.Keep cake in the
fridge until ready to serve.  Garnish with whole strawberries or Patriotic candy sprinkles.

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DEATH BY CHOCOLATE TRIFLE

I consider eating chocolate on July 4th patriotic! Eating chocolate is as American as eating apple pie
in my book!!  My family insist on this indulgence as part of our July 4th celebration!!


18 oz box brownies, cooked, cubed
2 (3 oz) chocolate pudding, already prepared
16 oz container whipped topping
3 snickers candy bars, crushed, divided 


In large clear glass bowl, layer in the following 
order:

1/2 of the brownie cubes; 1/2 of the pudding; 1
snickers bar, crushed; 1/2 of the whipped topping. Repeat layers in the same order.  Need to save the last snickers for garnish.  

Refrigerate until you are ready to serve. Prepare
24 hours in advance so Trifle can set up.

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JULY 4TH HOLIDAY COOKIES

1 box confetti cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 C oil
1 tsp almond extract
1 tub patriotic frosting

Preheat oven 350 degrees.Grease the cookie sheet.
In large bowl add cake mix, eggs, oil, and almond
extract and mix well. Shape cookie dough into log.  Slice cookies into 1/2 inch disks. Place cookies on sheet pan and bake 10 minutes or until the cookies
feel firm to touch.Place the cookies on rack to cool.

Decorating tips:

Frost the cookies and add the patriotic confetti sprinkles.


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JULY 4TH HOLIDAY CAKE

2 layer box  confetti cake mix
eggs, oil, & water as directed
on box
1 tsp almond extract, divided
1 tsp vanilla  extract, divided
16 oz cream cheese frosting
red & blue jelly beans

Preheat oven. 350 degrees and grease 9x13
cake pan.  In large bowl add cake mix, eggs,

oil, and water. Add 1/2 tsp of the vanilla and

almond extracts.Mix well.Pour the batter into

prepared pan.Bake the cake according to the

directions. Let the cake cool completely.

Add rest of the almond and vanilla extracts to
the frosting. Stir and mix well. Frost cake and
decorate with the jelly beans.


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PATRIOTIC BIG COOKIE

2 layer yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 C oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 tub cream cheese frosting
patriotic sprinkles

Preheat oven 325 degrees. Grease a 10 inch pizza.
In a large bowl, add cake mix, eggs, oil and vanilla.
Stir and mix well.  Press dough onto the  pizza pan.
Bake 10 minutes or until cookie firm to touch.  Let
cookie cool completely.  Spread frosting on cookie
and garnish with the sprinkles and mini flags.  Cut
the cookie into wedges before serving.


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PATRIOTIC FRUIT TART

TART


2 layer yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 C oil
1 tsp vanilla


FILLING




8-oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 C powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
strawberries for garnish
blue berries for garnish


Preheat oven 325 degrees. Grease a 10 inch pizza.
In a large bowl, add cake mix, eggs, oil and vanilla.
Stir and mix well.  Press dough onto the  pizza pan.
Bake 10 minutes or until tart firm to touch.  Let tart cool completely. 

Prepare filling:  In bowl, add cream cheese and sugar.  Beat until smooth and creamy.Frost the tart.Decorate cookie as shown in photo.

EASY CREAM CHEESE PIE

8 oz cream cheese, softened
14 oz.can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 C lemon juice
1 tsp  vanilla extract
9-inch  graham cracker pie crust
21 oz. can cherry pie filling

In large bowl, whip cream cheese smooth.
Stir in the condensed milk, lemon juice,and 

vanilla. Mix well. Pour pie into crust and chill

4 hours. Top with cherry pie filling before serving.

Tip: Can use blueberry or strawberry pie filling
instead of the cherry.


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PATRIOTIC FRUIT PARFAITS

1 pint blueberries
1 pint strawberries
4 8 oz mason jars

FILLING

8 oz  light cream cheese, softened
1 tsp Stevia or Splenda  sweetener
8 oz whipped topping


Rinse berries and drain in colander. Slice strawberries.
In bowl, mix softened cream cheese and sweetener.
Blend until smooth. Make layer strawberries, topping, 
blueberries, and end with dollop of topping.Chill in the fridge until ready to serve. 

Tip:

Garnish tops of parfaits with a blueberry, slice of strawberry, and mint leaf for special touch.

CELEBRATING JULY 4TH, GRILLED MEAT FEAST

My family loved to cook-out on July 4th. I always prepped all the food the day before. My husband
was a salesman in retail and worked half day on 
July 4th.  The boys and I enjoyed going  to the 
July 4th celebrations in the morning.My husband
and I grilled the food while the boys set up  the
picnic table with July 4th decorations. They filled
the ice chest with bottled water and sodas.


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I always try to dress up my hot dogs for this
special occasion.   I am sharing my family's
recipes and some recipes that were inspired 
by watching food TV programs and my cook
book collection

Here are some of the dressed up 
toppings and condiments I have
served with my hot dogs :

whole grain mustard & grilled onions
BBQ sauce & grilled onions 
yellow mustard & pickled onions
honey mustard & pickled jalapeno peppers

jalapeno ketchup 

chipotle  ketchup

teriyaki ketchup 

turkey hot dog chili as a topping

cheese sauce topped with crumbled bacon


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RECIPES:

 

JALAPENO KETCHUP

1/2 cup ketchup

1 T diced pickled jalapeno peppers

In small bowl mix listed ingredients. Serve
as condiment for hot dogs.

CHIPOTLE  KETCHUP

1 C ketchup

½  tsp chipotle pepper, seeded, chopped fine

½  tsp  adobo sauce

In small bowl mix listed ingredients. Serve
as condiment for hot dogs.

TERIYAKI KETCHUP

1/2 cup ketchup

4  tsp  reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce 

In small bowl mix listed ingredients. Serve
as condiment for hot dogs. 

EASY TURKEY HOT DOG CHILI

1 lb ground turkey (white & dark blend)
2 T oil
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp dry minced onion
1 packet chili seasoning mix 

 
In skillet, add oil and ground turkey. Cook on
medium heat until it's no longer pink. Add the 
tomato sauce, onions and chili seasoning. Stir 
and mix well.  Lower heat and simmer chili for
15 minutes.
          

CHEESE SAUCE

2 T butter

2 T flour

1 C milk

1 C shredded cheddar cheese

½ tsp mustard

1/2 tsp sea salt

In sauce pan melt butter.  Add flour and whisk until

smooth.  Pour in milk and mix well. Add cheese and

whisk after cheese starts to melt. Whisk constantly

until sauce is thick and smooth.

 
              

 








TIP:

For added treat use special hot dog buns. I use
whole wheat, rye , Hawaiian , and pretzel buns. 
These buns must be grilled before serving! Cold
buns on hot burgers ruins the meal.


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I never serve boring hamburgers during the 
July 4th celebration.  Sometimes I flavor the
burger or serve it with outrageous toppings
and condiments. I start out with hot off the
grill burgers and the fun begins!!


Here are dressed up burgers I have tried:

onion burger on wheat bun

Swiss burger on grilled rye bread

Swiss bacon burger w/ sauteed mushrooms

burger w/ mozzarella & basil mayo

burger w/ pepper jack & chipotle mayo

burgers w/ pepper jack & green chili mayo

burgers w/ jack cheese & green chili ketchup

cheddar burgers w/ bacon & grilled onions

cheddar burger w/ chili & mustard

cheddar burger, grilled red onions on Texas toast

cheddar burger wrap 

turkey burger w/ jack cheese & chipotle mayo

turkey burger on  jalapeno cheddar wrap

DIY Flavored Mayonnaise

SRIRACHA:  Add a squirt of the sauce to taste

ROASTED GARLIC: Mash the cloves of roasted 
garlic into mayo.

BASIL/TARRAGON: Finely chop fresh herb and
stir into mayo

TACO/CHILI:Blend in taco or chili seasoning mix
into mayo

HOT & SWEET CHILI SAUCE: Blend into mayo

CHIPOTLE: Blend mayo with a whole chile and
1/8 tsp of adobo sauce ( or to taste)

CITRUS : Use squeeze of lime or lemon juice

HONEY DIJON:  Blend into mayo until smooth

TIP:

For added treat use special hamburger buns. 
I use whole wheat, Hawaiian, brioche, potato, 
and sesame seed. These buns must be grilled
before serving! Cold buns on hot burgers ruins
the meal.


I have also grilled flour tortilla shells as a wrap
for cheese burgers.  The multi-grain, spinach,
and jalapeno cheddar flavored tortillas are nice choices. 

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I use prepared steak seasonings and 30 minute marinades on my steaks for July 4th celebration.
I am too busy to spend time doing making rubs 
and marinades from scratch!

Here are some steak seasonings I use.  I follow the directions on the packet or bottle:


Montreal
Chicago
Gourmet
5 pepper
smokehouse maple 

Spice Blends:

Mixed up pepper 
Seasoned salt
Garlic salt
Garlic pepper
Lemon pepper
Cajun 
Southwestern
Jamaican Jerk

I have tried Lawry's and Masterpiece 30 minute
marinades with success.  

    

I discovered that there are meat marinade packets 
in baskets in the meat department.  These packets 
of marinades tenderize the meat in 15-20 minutes
They are unseasoned, so I always try to add onion powder and garlic powder to my steak and burgers 
for added flavor. 



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I don't have to do a lot of fussy things to my 
chicken if I have worn myself out decorating
and going to July 4th outings.  I go to my
pantry and pull out my seasonings. 

Here are my "go to" spices/herbs for my chicken:

lemon pepper
garlic salt
garlic pepper
seasoning salt

ancho chili powder
mixed up pepper  

Chicken Seasonings :

Montreal chicken
barbecue chicken
grill chicken
Cajun/ creole
soul food
apple wood












 EASY GRILLED CHICKEN

4 chicken legs
4 chicken thighs
favorite chicken seasoning, to taste
1/2 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp black pepper
oil

Prepare your grill. While grill is getting hot, prepare chicken.Rub the oil on both sides of chicken pieces.  Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with one of the seasonings listed above.Grill both sides of chicken until golden brown.  Chicken is done when juices run
clear. 


TIP:

ADD 1 TSP SALT IF USE THE CHILI POWDER OR MIXED UP PEPPER

 

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Serve grilled pizza with pepperoni,red peppers,
and white onion in the spirit of  Independence
Day.  My red will be red pepper and pepperoni
and my white is the onion.  The blue will have
to be my tableware. I do not want blueberries
on my pizza!!

GRILLED JULY 4TH PIZZA

11-12 oz tube refrigerated pizza dough
3 oz pack pepperoni
half small onion, sliced 
half small red bell pepper, sliced
small can pasta sauce
8 oz bag shredded mozzarella cheese 
1 tsp Italian seasoning

Prepare grill with cool side for slow cooking. 
While grill is heating, prepare pizza. Make an
assembly line of pizza toppings. Unroll pizza 
dough and brush each side with oil.Place the
dough on a cookie sheet.  

Place the dough on grill and lightly brown both 
sides of pizza.  Place pizza back on sheet pan.
Layer pasta sauce, pepperoni, peppers, onions,
and cheese on top of pizza. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.  Return pizza to cool side of grill and
close the top of the grill. Cook 5 minutes or until
cheese has melted.  Remove the pizza from the
grill and slice in to small squares.

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I serve the traditional potato salad and baked beans
but I have added new ingredients to these dishes. I
added more broccoli side dishes also.  

I didn't want my sides to be boring on this special holiday!

FRANKIE'S CHEDDAR BAKED BEANS

3 slices of bacon
1 small onion, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
2-15 oz can pork & beans
1/4 C ketchup
1/4 C packed brown sugar
1 tsp mustard
1 C shredded mild cheddar cheese


In large cast iron skillet fry bacon until
brown and crisp. Drain bacon on paper
towels. Add onions and bell peppers to
drippings. Saute' until tender.  Reserve
2 tablespoons of drippings.  Next add
beans, ketchup, brown sugar, and the
mustard to the skillet.  Mix well.  Pour
bean mix into a  9" by 13" baking dish.
Bake 350 degrees until bubbly.Top the
baked beans with the crumbled bacon 
and the cheese.Return to the oven and

bake until cheese has melted.

POTATO SALAD W/ APPLES
6 potatoes, cooked and diced
2 boiled eggs, peeled
half small onion, finely chopped
**half small delicious apple, finely chopped

DRESSING

1 C mayonnaise
2 tsp mustard
1/2 C sweet pickle relish
1/2 tsp celery seed
2 tsp sugar
3 T vinegar

sweet paprika for garnish

Reserve one egg for garnish. In a large bowl add
all of the ingredients together.  Stir and mix well.
Slice the reserved egg and garnish potato salad.
Cover the potato salad and chill at least 2 hours 
so the flavors to develop.Sprinkle paprika on the potato salad before serving.

** Tip: 

Sprinkle chopped apples with a little vinegar
to stop browning.

I boil potatoes and eggs at same time. Must 
start will cold water for even cooking and to 

avoid cracked eggs.

THREE COLOR COLE  SLAW 

1 family size bag three color slaw mix

DRESSING

1/4 cup  vinegar
2 T sugar
2 T oil
1/2 tsp celery seed
salt and pepper, to taste


Place  slaw mix in  large mixing bowl.  Set aside.
In a microwavable bowl combine oil, vinegar, and sugar. Microwave until sugar has dissolved.  Add celery seed, salt, and pepper and  mix well. Pour
the warm dressing over slaw and  mix well. Chill 
in the fridge to blend flavors.