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A Salute To The 4TH

by Arleen M. Kaptur

Fourth of July celebrations - bands playing, flags waving, firework displays and a lot of parades and fun! There are games, and outdoor sports, military displays, music, pageants and contests. Family picnics and barbecues are the choice of the day. Homes and backyards are decorated with flags, streamers, and all sorts of fun items that are red/white/blue. However you decide to celebrate - have fun with family and friends. Enjoy the great outdoors and let Mother Nature help in your entertaining plans.

Here are some ideas for Fourth of July entertaining:

Firecracker Punch

2-1/2 cups cranberry juice cocktail, icy cold
1 6-oz. can frozen lemonade concentrate that is thawed but not diluted
1/2 cup sweet vermouth, chilled

3/4 cup ice water

Combine all ingredients. Serve with red or blue straws and lemon slices.

FRUITY FAVORITE COOKIES

Need a fast dessert - but one that will impress your guests - try this - Using sugar cookies, cut them in half. Using vanilla frosting divide the frosting into two bowls. Color one with red food coloring for a “pretty watermelon pink/red” and the other with green food coloring. Cut each cookie in half and frost with the pink frosting. Pipe the green food coloring around the edges for the “rind”. Then using chocolate chips, give your watermelon cookies some “seeds”. Place on a pretty plate and dazzle your guests! Your watermelon cookies will be the hit of the barbecue!

Or try cutting your favorite cookie dough with star-shaped cutters. Then sprinkle the cookies with colored sugars - some red, some blue, and some white. Place in a basket with a colorful napkin and your “stars” will shine!

Use fresh fruit to bring out the colors of the fourth. - On a large platter, lined with lettuce leaves, place a bowl of creamy fruit dip in the center - 1 pkg. (8 ozs.) cream cheese, softened
1 jar (7 ozs.) marshmallow cream
1 tbs. milk

In a bowl combine all the ingredients until smooth. Around the bowl of dip, place strawberries, uncut, washed, with stems intact for easier handling, and tiny skewers with tiny white marshmallows and juicy blueberries. All the colors and delights of the day!

Paper plates, napkins, cups, and plastic utensils can vary - some red, some white, and some blue. Tie a basket with a colorful ribbon and place your utensils or napkins inside. Colorful straw hats, make-believe firecrackers made from construction paper and gold trim will give your table all the beauty of the Holiday!

Having children at your doing? Make a treat they can’t resist - Serve home-made popsicles that are layered with three flavors of kool-aid. Strawberry or raspberry for the bottom, icy white lemonade or other flavor for the middle, and cool, blue raspberry for the top. Place a tiny piece of red licorice string in the “stick” layer before freezing. There is your “wick” for your firecracker pops.

GRAND FINALE DESSERT Using a frozen pound cake, cut into ten slices. Place on bottom of a clear glass baking pan. Place a combination of cut-up strawberries, and blueberries on top of the cake slices. Frost the entire cake with Cool Whip or any dairy topping. In the upper left-hand corner, place whole blueberries for the states on our flag. Then line strawberries that have been cut in half lengthwise for the “stripes”. Refrigerate until serving time. Cut along the cake slices and each guest will have a beautiful, colorful treat.

Menu Ideas - Grilled chicken legs, corn on the cob, macaroni salad, and grand finale dessert
**
Barbecued spareribs, Tomato/lettuce/cucumber salad, creamy cole slaw, corn on the cob, peas and onions, ice cream sundaes with blueberries, strawberries and raspberries
**
Barbecued chicken, buttermilk biscuits, coleslaw, watermelon slices
**
Lemonade, grilled steak, grilled potato wedges, tossed salad, and dessert ** Burgers and franks on buns, baked beans, corn on the cob, red/white/blue fruit plate with dip, and watermelon cookies

However you celebrate, have a great time and ENJOY!

©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 June 3