If Memorial Day is the unofficially sanctioned start to summer, then Fourth of July is the holiday that signals that we are officially smack dab in the middle of the season, and if we haven't started enjoying ourselves at barbecues and picnics then we'd better get with the program. And if the opportunity to attend a parade or some fireworks presents itself this weekend, then hither yourself there and have some fun.
The traditional foods of the Fourth of July are so American it hurts. Did you know, according to the U.S. census, 150 million hot dogs are consumed on July Fourth? That's one hot dog per every two people in the U.S. (and we don't really like to share our hot dogs). Burgers, potato salad, pie...whether you're humming "The Star-Spangled Banner" or "Free Bird," this is a good weekend to chow down on some of our most American-ific dishes.
"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." --Erma Bombeck
1.
Rick Rodgers' Sweet and Spicy Red Pepper Dip. Hungry people will be arriving at your house any minute. Quick, quick, what will you feed them while you are waiting for the briquettes to heat up? A brightly colored and brightly flavored dip flanked by bowls of chips and crudités will keep everyone cheerfully sated for a while.
2.
Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins' Corn on the Cob with Flavored Butters. When it comes to corn, the main goal is maximum sweetness, so try to buy your ears as close to their growing source and as near to the time they were picked as possible. Cook them right on the grill and then slather on your choice of Anchovy Butter, Jalapeño Pepper Butter, or Curry Butter and start nibbling.
3.
Jean Anderson's Old-Fashioned Potato Salad. If ever there was a holiday that called for a big bowl of down-home potato salad, this would be it. We love fancy, creative potato salads, with surprising additions and international flair...and we also love a big bowl of classic creamy, eggy, pickley potato salad, just like this one.
4.
Jamie Oliver's Superb Cheat's Kebabs. There's nothing like a hot dog, that's for sure, but if you're looking to vary your sausage offerings, consider these herby pork numbers, wrapped around springs of rosemary. A refreshing lemony yogurt sauce sets these apart from standard pork-based sausages.
5.
Judith Finlayson's Cider Baked Beans. There is something about a scoop of slightly sweet baked beans that just completes a Fourth of July plate. The slow cooker is the perfect appliance for the job, doing all the work without heating up the kitchen. This particular version will be especially welcome at cookouts where you're looking to provide vegetarians with some nice protein options.
6.
Lauren Groveman's Grilled Chicken Pesto Topped with Marinated Tomatoes. When you think pesto, do you think pasta? How about chicken? A generous rub with the nutty herb spread, a short marinating session, a quick grill, and a liberal dose of herby tomato topping, and you may have found your new favorite summer chicken dish.
7.
Crescent Dragonwagon's Chipotle Cornbread. A slab of cornbread is the perfect date for all manner of grilled foods. Canned chipotle chiles, easily found in the Mexican sections of many supermarkets, infuse this recipe with their irrepressible smoky flavor.
8.
Ellie Krieger's Romaine Hearts Mediterranean. There is a tendency for summer barbecues to feature lots of foods that are either on the meaty side or the creamy side. Don't forget something green, like this wonderfully crunchy salad of crisp lettuce, sharp red onion, bright lemon juice and salty olives.
9.
Jane Brandt's Hawaiian Hula Shake. Let us not forget that aside from the 48 contiguous states we have some free-floating pieces of the U.S. to include in the celebration. For a festive summery drink, we choose to turn to Hawaii (since we haven't been invited to that many luaus in Alaska). Imagine a virgin piña colada, with some chocolate syrup and a scoop of vanilla ice cream thrown in for good measure.
10.
Julie Hasson's Peach Raspberry Pie. As American as...peach raspberry pie. The berries impart their rosy color to the entire filling, and two of the world's greatest summer fruits are put on a pedestal in this gorgeous dessert. There's a vegan version, too, so that everyone can dive in.
Jamie Oliver's Superb Cheat's Kebabs
Lauren Groveman's Grilled Chicken Pesto Topped with Marinated Tomatoes
