Monday, July 4, 2016

Happy 4th of July to all our fans!! Enjoy our #recipes!



HAPPY 4th OF JULY!


From Daryl aka Avery: I love the 4th of July. I love the history of it.  I love the thrill of fireworks. I love the beautiful aroma of a barbecue. [Perhaps that's why I put all the barbecue recipes in my upcoming book!] And I love dessert.  I shared this tart on MLK a bit ago, but it's one of my favorite desserts. There's nothing like a good colorful "pie" to bring a smile to my guests' faces.  Enjoy the flavor. Enjoy the day. Treasure your independence!   BTW, have any of you heard the music from the hit musical HAMILTON? I downloaded it and I can't stop thinking about it. I have never liked rap music, but this is incredible. It's a fabulous way to learn about the history of our nation! So clever. 

Fourth of July Fruit Tart



LESLIE BUDEWITZ:  We live outside a small village in NW Montana, much like the town in my Food Lovers' Village Mysteries, where 4th of July weekend seems to mark the real start of summer. Village shops and restaurants boom, every seat in the Playhouse is sold, and concerts in the park fill the air. But the heart of the celebration is the annual parade, a true small-town spectacle. We only have one street that goes all the way through town, and people line both sides of it to watch the hour-long parade. Businesses create floats, drill teams march, pipers pipe, and the big dogs pad through town. Got a vintage car? Bring it down and roll through town! Hosting a family reunion? Make a sign, borrow an old truck, and throw the kids in back and get in line! The owners of the nearby guest lodge and dude ranch bring up the rear with their antique fire engine, guests perched on top throwing candy to the crowd, and firing up the hoses -- which I think we'll all appreciate this year!

The early heat has ripened the famous Flathead Cherries early, so we're heading to some friends' home to pick a few before the birds get them. And then, time for cherry pie!

Classic Cherry Pie


  
Sheila Connolly: In my neighborhood (near Cape Cod in Massachusetts), the Fourth of July is the real beginning of summer. It's also the time of year when the two bridges that cross the Cape Cod Canal take two hours to cross from Thursday through Monday (if you were thinking of just stopping by). 

And it's a great time to barbecue. The summer vegetables are in the farmers markets, and it's too hot to stay in the kitchen to cook, so break out the grill! I went hunting for one of my all-time favorite recipes, Spatchcocked Chicken, which first appeared here five years ago. Wow, we've survived that long! And we still love to cook. And write. Often both at once.

The recipe is simple (and you don't really have to perform surgery on your chicken--you can just as easily use pieces.) and healthy and tastes good. I'm still making it--a lot!


Spatchcocked Chicken

Happy Independence Day!




Happy Birthday, USA!


Cleo Coyle: The older I get, the greater the debt I see that we owe to those who sacrificed for what we now enjoy. To those who signed the Declaration of Independence on this day 240 years ago…to those who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor…to those who lost their lives fighting for our right to breathe free…we remember you, we thank you, and we toast you on this Independence Day.

To help you along with that toast, I'm happy to share two refreshing drink recipes. My Virgin Sangria and Virgin Mojitos can be served to children and non-drinkers, but very easily spiked for those who want to turn it into an adult beverage. May you drink with joy and enjoy our national holiday!


For my Virgin Sangria recipe, click here

For my Virgin Mojito recipe, click here.


Here's to you, USA!







Krista Davis: The weekend of the 4th is the time to keep entertaining easy. After all, even the cooks want to join in the fun, whether it's boating, swimming, or hiking. So I'm sharing a quick dessert that's bite-size, no-bake, and can easily be eaten with fingers. My quick blueberry and lemon tarts. Using pre-made shells saves so much time but they're still pretty and festive.


Blueberry and Lemon Tarts

Wherever you are this weekend, stay safe and take a moment to appreciate all the freedoms we have in this wonderful country.


Happy Fourth of July!





Celebrating National Days!




Linda: This is my take on a fun way to celebrate any national day. I started with the basics, for my somewhat restrictive needs: gluten free scones, Coconut whipping cream (in an aerosol can), and raspberries! Like I said, the basics. I am a Canadian, so for July 1st, Canada Day, it was complete -- red and white. For July 4th, Independence Day, I added blueberries and a little extra red in the form of watermelon. Red, white and blue! Enjoy the dessert and enjoy the celebration!



VICTORIA ABBOTT aka MARY JANE MAFFINI:


We love a party and we've just finished celebrating Canada Day and here it is the Glorious Fourth. It's worth celebrating these wonderful days. We Canadians and Americans are all so lucky to live in prosperous democracies with rights, educational possibilities, freedom of movement, access to bookstores, libraries and online sources of reading and so much more, including, of course, wonderful food. No wonder we have so much fun here at Mystery Lovers Kitchen. And now back by popular demand is one of our favorite summer desserts Ice cream torte surprise which first showed up here on the 4th of July, 2010, when I was a guest author. 


Ice cream torte surprise 
Enjoy it and Have a Happy 4th of July!








Peg Cochran: Dear friends of ours, who have since retired to North Carolina, hosted a 4th of July party every year called "Nothing but Dawgs." They supplied the hot dogs, brats, drinks and dessert, and the guests brought side dishes to share. Jim is a party planner extraordinaire and we had games where we divided up into teams. One year it was "Who's Your Daddy" and all the questions revolved around our country's presidents. I have to say that the 4th of July hasn't been the same since they moved!

Welcome to the Nothing
but Dawgs Fourth of July Party!


A favorite recipe of ours for any patriotic holiday is Strawberry Sponge Cake. Instead of shortcake, I make a large sponge cake, smother it in whipped cream and top with berries--strawberries and blueberries for a red, white and blue theme!



Another favorite is homemade macaroni salad. The store bought stuff is fun but loaded with sugar so we prefer to make our own. It's great at a BBQ or picnic.


Happy 4th everyone! 

We're blessed to live in such a great country!




8 comments:

  1. Such a fabulous recipe roundup! Wishing all of you a wonderful Fourth of July holiday. EMS591@aol.com

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  2. Happy Fourth! There are so many clever ideas today! I may have to whip up a berry filled dessert and a list of trivia about our presidents!

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  3. Happy 4th of July! The recipes are fabulous! Can't wait to try them!

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  4. Happy Celebration Day to all of you, American AND Canadian! Thank you for reminding us all what we have to celebrate - and it is SO much. Thanks, too, for the glorious recipes to help celebrate in a glorious way!

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  5. A wonderful collection!
    I'm so glad you have found a way to keep this blog going while creating your marvelous books! Tag-teaming days, rather than quitting is brilliant.

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  6. Thanks for sharing all the recipes, y'all! Much appreciated, and I hope y'all enjoy your celebrations.

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  7. Happy 4th and thanks for sharing all the recipes. Waiting for it to get dark enough to watch fireworks!

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  8. Thanks for the recipes. Yes, we live in a wonderful country. One where I can go to bed at night and then get awakened by loud booms but I know it is just people having fun, not running for their lives. My only thought is, couldn't we celebrate in the winter when it gets dark early? ;-)

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