Easy Fourth of July Recipes and Ideas-incase you didn’t see this last year- here it is again just in time for the 4th!

Fourth Of July Easy and Super Cute Recipe Ideas:

  • Some of these should be pretty self-explanatory (like the American Flag tooth pick) for the ones that are not see below for recipes and ideas:Fruit Kabob:
    • Strawberry, Blueberry, Banana or Marshmallow or Pound Cake or Cream Cheese for the “white”.
    • Place on a kabob stick

Patriotic Strawberries:

  • Strawberries (dipped in the below)
  • The “White” area can be White Chocolate melted (dip strawberry in it), or White Frosting
  • The “Blue” area is Blue sprinkles

Fourth of July Drinks:

  • Red Wine Sangria can look patriotic with the below fruit:
  • Red Rum Punch can also be made patriotic with the below fruits:
  • Blueberries
  • pineapple, use a cookie cutter to cut star shapes
  • Watermellon, a cookie cutter to cut star shapes
  • Strawberries or Raspberries

Blue Pop Rock Rimmed Glasses (or Blue Sugar if you can find it. Party City or Michael’s are good places to look)

  • Trim any RED drink with the Blue Pop Rocks or Blue Sugar and voila a 4th of July Drink
  • Rum Punch or Vodka with Cranberry Juice are good choices

Fruit Plate: (you can probably figure this one out from the picture but just incase)

  • Blueberries
  • Watermelon cut into star shapes with a cookie cutter
  • You can also add other red fruits to the mix (Raspberry or Strawberry)

Flag Cake: (I make this every year) again I think you can figure it out by the photo but just incase.

  • This can be put on top of any cake (home-made or store-bought as long as the icing is white)
  • Blueberries for the “BLUE” area
  • Strawberries (or Raspberries) for the “Red” area

M&M Cupcakes: if these are in too much sun or heat the color of the M&Ms might bleed so better to keep inside until dessert time:

  • You can make the cupcakes or buy them
  • White Icing
  • Red and Blue M&Ms
  • If you want to add “White” into your design…(white M&Ms if you can find them or Mini Marshmallows)

Cake Pops: This is the Easiest way to make a Cake Pop

  • Buy Popems or Munchkins (Popems are less $)
  • Ice them with White Icing
  • Dip them in Red, White and Blue sprinkles (you can also buy the Red, White and Blue sprinkles pre mixed for multi colored cake pops)

Enjoy & Happy Fourth of July!

Advertisement

Delicious & Easy Peach Recipes & Cocktails…One of Summer’s Sweetest Fruits!

Bellini

Bellini

Grilled Peaches with Honey

Grilled Peaches with Honey

Grilled Peaches with Ricotta and Balsamic Glaze

Grilled Peaches with Ricotta and Balsamic Glaze

Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler

Peach Sangria

Peach Sangria

Farm Stand Peaches

Peaches are one of summer’s most tastiest fruits they also make delicious cocktails!

White Peach Sangria
Servings: 6 Servings
Ingredients:

  • 1 (750 milliliter) bottle white wine, medium sweetness (don’t use $$ wine-lower priced wines work great)
  • 3/4 cup peach flavored vodka (optional-the drink is good with just the wine)
  • 3/4 cup peach schnapps
  • 6 tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
  • 3-4 medium sized peaches pitted and sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups of colorful fruit (any fruit works, berries work great)
  • In a large pitcher, combine dry white wine, peach vodka, schnapps, lemonade concentrate. Stir until frozen lemonade is melted. Add sliced peaches and other fruits.
  • Refrigerate sangria until well chilled, at least 2 hours, or overnight to blend flavors. Serve over ice, and use a slotted spoon to include fruit with each serving.

Bellini…Move over Mimosa and try this delicious and very easy drink instead.

  • Champagne or Prosecco
  • Top off with Peach juice

Peach Cobbler- One of the easiest recipes we tried

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups sugar, divided
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 cups fresh peach slices
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Ground cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)
Directions:
  • Melt butter in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
  • Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, salt and milk. Stir until moistened then pour into baking dish (do not stir)
  • Bring remaining 1 cup sugar, peaches, lemon juice to a boil over high heat. Stir constantly. Pour into baking dish (do not stir) can sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.
  • Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes until golden brown.
  • We suggest serving this warm with ice cream however it tastes great at room temperature

Grilled Peaches…you can eat them straight off the grill or top them off with something yummy

  • Cut Peaches in half & remove pits
  • Brush cut side of peach halves with olive oil and place on grill, cut side down.
  • Grill until golden brown and caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Turn peach halves over and grill until slightly soft and just warmed through, about 2 minutes longer.
    Remove from grill and eat as is or top it off with something delicious… below are some great suggestions…
  • Drizzle peaches with honey or agave and top off with fresh berries, ice cream, vanilla yogurt or whipped cream
  • Drizzle with balsamic glaze (available at Trader Joe’s) and Ricotta Cheese, garnish with mint
  • These are also great chopped up and tossed into a salad

Enjoy!!

Easy and Delicious Summer Cocktails!

Margarita

Margarita (without a mix)

Pink Lemonade

“Spiked” Pink Lemonade

Drink from blue moon

The Blue Moon Hot Rod

pimms

Pimm’s Cup with Lemonade

Summer Cocktails! (the recipes are all for 1 serving) A regular size shot glass should be 1-1.5oz

Pimm’s Cup with Lemonade (Drink like the Brit’s with this refreshing Pimm’s Cup)

  • 1.5-2 oz Pimm’s No 1
  • 3.5-4 oz lemonade (yellow lemonade is best)
  • 1 slice of each: Orange, Cucumber
  • 1 Strawberry
  • Mint leaf to garnish
  • Fill a tall glass with ice, Pimm’s and Lemonade
  • Add 1 Orange slice, 1 Cucumber, 1 Strawberry & garnish with Mint
  • Feel free to add more of the fruit & cucumber (it looks pretty and will add flavor)

Margarita (without the Mix…)Simple & Delicious 

  • 1/4 cup Tequila
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon Triple Sec
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon Lime Juice (fresh is best but still good with store bought Lime Juice)
  • Agave to sweeten (optional) we prefer it with the agave
  • Mix in a shaker with Ice
  • Garnish with a Lime wedge & enjoy

“Spiked” Pink Lemonade (very easy and always a hit)

  • 1 oz Vodka (if you like a “strong” drink add a bit more Vodka)
  • 2 oz Lemonade (Pink or Yellow Lemonade)
  • 3 oz Sprite or 7-up
  • Mix with Ice & Serve in glass with Lime Wedge or Mint if you have it

“Blue Moon” Hot Rod…How they do it in East Quogue

  • 1oz Tequila (traditionally Gin is used. Drink would be good with Gin or Vodka)
  • Fresh Watermelon Puree (can substitute 1oz Cranberry & 1oz Pineapple Juice for an easier recipe)
  • Agave-just a squirt of agave to sweeten the drink (optional)
  • Mix with Ice & serve in glass with Lime wedgedrinks blue moon

Easy BBQ Recipes: Grilled Corn with a twist & Delicious Grilled Vegetables

Recipes: Serves @ 6 (we suggest fresh herbs but if you are feeling lazy or tight on time hit your spice rack)

Grilled Corn Toppings! (you can cook the corn in a pot as usual if you don’t want to grill it and STILL use these delicious toppings!

To Grill corn leave on BBQ medium to high heat for about 15 minutes until tender.

  • Truffle Oil, Garlic and Parmesan Corn:
  • Combine 2 garlic cloves (grated or finely chopped)
  • 2 table spoons olive oil
  • 1 table spoon lemon juice
  • Combine the above in a bowl and baste corn the last 15 minutes of grilling. (if not grilling pour on corn when cooked)
  • 3 table spoons white truffle oil
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
  • When corn is ready sprinkle with Truffle oil and cheese and enjoy
  • Classic Herbed Butter Corn
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped sage
  • 1/4 teasppon sea salt or kosher salt
  • combine the above in bowl and pour over corn when finished cooking.
  • Barbecue Glazed Corn
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
  • 3 tablespoon finely chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
  • combine in bowl and baste corn the last 3 minutes of grilling (or pour over corn when finished)
  • Grilled Mixed Vegetables-Veggies even the guys will like!
  • 3 Red Bell Peppers-seeded and halved (cooks in 8-10 minutes)
  • 3 Yellow or Green Squash-sliced length wise (cooks in 8-10 minutes)
  • 3 Eggplant sliced length wise (cooks in 8-10 minutes)
  • 12 Cremini Mushrooms (cooks in 8-10 minutes)
  • 1 Bunch Asparagus (cooks in 4 minutes)
  • 12 Green Onions (cooks in 4 minutes)
  • Brush the Veggies with 1/4 cup Olive Oil and salt/Pepper to taste before grilling
  • The vegetables taste great as is but if you want to add a dressing here are some good ones below!

Dressing (pour on after Vegetables are grilled)

  • 3 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
  • 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
  • 1 Teaspoon Parsley Finely Chopped
  • 1 Teaspoon Basil Finely Chopped
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Rosemary Finely Chopped

Easier Dressing Options:

  • Use your favorite store bought dressing (place in a pretty bowl or dispenser)
  • Tzaziki Yogurt Dip (store bought placed in a bowl)
  • Pesto sauce or Olive Dip (store bought placed in a bowl)

Enjoy!

Easy and Chic BBQ Recipes and Set Up

Easy BBQ Recipes and Set Up

Easy BBQ Recipes and Set Up

BBQ2 BBQ3 BBQ4

Easy Watermelon Salad

Easy Watermelon Salad

Easy Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Easy Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Easy and Chic BBQ Set Up & Recipes

Not every BBQ has to be on paper and plastic.  When hosting a small group it is easy to make a BBQ chic and special.  Use table clothes, napkins, silverware, glasses,plates, a beverage bucket, and fresh flowers.

Here are 2 of our favorite recipes that we served  at a BBQ this Sunday, and our guests loved them:

Watermelon and Feta Salad

for 6-8 people

1 6-8 lb seedless watermelon cut into bite-size chunks

2 Cups Crumbled Feta

1 cup chopped mint

Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil (about 3 Tbsp.)

Season with Salt

Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

for 6-8 people, serve about 6 oz per person

2 1/2 – 3 lbs skirt steak

salt and pepper to taste

Allow the skirt steak to come to room temperature before grilling.  Heat grill.  Season steak with salt and pepper. Grill about 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare.  Remove from grill and let the steak rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before slicing.

Chimichurri Sauce

2 cups parsley

1 cup cilantro

4 cloves garlic

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Optional: crushed red pepper or jalepeno to taste

Put all ingredients into a food processor and blend together