GO AMERICAN IN THIS HEATWAVE: 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS

4th of July celebrations: history and menus...

Waving sparklers mark 4th of July celebrations
Courtesy of iPhoto  and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Why do American celebrate the 4th of July?

July 4th is an official US holiday celebrating the birth of American independence in 1776.  The 13 North American colonies of Great Britain officially separated themselves (politically) from the Empire.  

In the US, the day is marked with parades, concerts and fireworks along with family gathering and barbeques.  This year July 4th falls on a Tuesday. 

In the UK we (clearly!) don't formally celebrate July 4 but the holiday is increasingly seen as another excuse for a knees-up in the sunshine.  After all, plenty of Americans live here and relations between the two countries -- polically and socially -- are strong. 

What food might I find at a July 4th party?  

(selection of 67goingon50 recipes below)

Dining al fresco is the name of the game.

US

Starters:

- creamy dips

- crudites: celery spears, carrot sticks, seedless cucumber sticks, radish; raw small cauliflower florets; 

- crispy potato and/or tortilla chips

- pickles...

more

Sides:

- mac 'n cheese

- oven baked beans

- coleslaw

- potato salads

- pasta salads

- bean salads

- grilled zuccini, eggplant, cobs or corn 

- grilled fruit

- skewers: baby tomatoes, baby mozarella, cooked ravioli pasta

Mains:

- burgers (beef, turkey, lamb, chicken)

- hot dogs with pickle relish

- spare ribs

- cold cuts

- cold fried chicken

- loaded sandwiches

Desserts:

- anything with a red, white & blue or American flag theme: cakes, cookies, muffins

- s'mores

- fridge cake

- brownies

- pecan pie

- apple pie with ice cream

- cream pies or cheesecakes with fresh fruit

England

A US holiday that marks the victory of a Revolutonary War against Great Britain wouldn't exactly be welcomed in the UK.  But since the  Brits and Americans acknowledged they had something in common during the 2nd World War, July 4th provides an occasion to nurture that 'special relationship'.

Here, it's not a formal holiday but many in England will happily raise a glass to American pals.

The main courses won't be too different food from US favourites; other courses will vary but still be indulgent 

Some 67goingon50 recommendations:

Canapes:

Skinnier sausages with honey(maple syrup) & mustard: does anyone need to know more?

Smoked salmon dip: offcuts make this wonderfully wallet-friendly 

Cheese & Chive crackers: You"ve never tasted a cheese cracker until you've tasted these melt-in-the-mouth explosively tasty offerings

Coarse Country Terrine: low-fat with chicken, pork, ham & liver; frugal options; prep ahead; easy but needs organisation; keeps well in  fridge

Sides

Apple & Nut Slaw: Vegan, crunchy, satisfying, easy & frugal. Popular.

Platter of Pickled Vegetable Crudites:ultra-healthy crudités take only an hour to prep; they're crisp and crunchy people-pleasers with bold (in a good way) flavours

Chinese crudites: vegan; crisp raw veg for dipping; get the kids to help; they'll love it 

Spicy Niblet Corn Bread: guys' all time favourite; 1-bowl wonder; loaf or muffins; vegetarian or ham 

Salads

Spicy Glass Noodles with Mince:  spicy, sweet & refreshing cold Thai Larb; free of high-sugar simple carbs, full of high-fibre crunchy veg 

Smoked Mackeral, Rice & Fruit Salad Easy-Peasy; Delicious & Healthy; wonderful combo of flavours

Mediterranean Tomatoes: So sensational, so easy, so Vegan. Turns supermarket toms into gourmet treats! 

Single Vegetabld Salads: Budget worries?  A single inexpensive veg -- radishes, cucumber or lettuce - produces unexpected thrilling salads

Treats

Chocolate Walnut Butter Squares: these are actually Canadian but the really, really delicious mix of textures & flavours goes down a bomb in hot weather; lower-sugar; higher fibre 

Nectarine Blueberry & Ginger Hand Pies: Pastry and fresh fruit is strangley popular in hot weather; this one has the bite of sweet ginger - in a really, really good way

Fruity sponge: a can of fruit cocktail + a simple sponge recipe produces a scrummy & impressive hot dessert for topping with ice cream.  So simple, the kids can do it.

Cheat's Black Forest Trifle: a European indulgence of layered chocolate sponge filled with cherries, booze (opt) and cream; this recipe is quick & yummy, helped by supermarket friends. 

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These recipes have been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and  may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.