Patriotic Trifle

It's almost here folks!  A true mark of summer, the Fourth of July.  I love this holiday!  The weather is always nice, everyone is in good spirits, it usually involves BBQ, you get to lay in the sun and play in the water, fireworks end the day, and of course there's amazing food.  Forth of July fare is comfort food at its finest.  One thing I particularly enjoy about cooking for this holiday is the abundance of fresh fruit.  The pies are one of the best parts for sure.  But If you're looking for something maybe a little cooler and more refreshing this trifle fits the bill.  Nothing but fresh fruit and homemade whip cream, you can't beat it.  What better way to celebrate our independence from the English than by eating a dessert they created but putting an American twist on it!

Ingredients
{amounts may vary depending on the size of your trifle dish}
4 cups fresh blueberries
4 cups halved fresh strawberries
3 cups heaving whipping cream
3 teaspoons vanilla
1/4-1/2 cup granulated sugar to taste

Directions
Using an electric mixer add the whipping cream, vanilla and sugar (add more sugar if you like it sweeter).  Whip on high speed for about 3 minutes or until stiff peaks form.  (Don't mix too long or it will turn into sweet vanilla butter!)

In trifle dish put a layer about an  inch thick of whipping cream.  Then using about 3 cups of the blueberries spread evenly over the whip cream.  Next add another layer of whip cream, this time about 2 inches thick.  Next add a  layer of about 3 cups of the strawberries.  On top of the strawberries add another 2 inch layer of whip cream.  Now you can decorate the top how you like.  I put a ring of strawberries on the outside, with a circle of blueberries in the middle.  Then I put a dollop of whip cream in the middle of the blueberries and added a final strawberry on top.

Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.  Serve on top of vanilla bunt cake or all on its own, both ways are delicious.  Enjoy! Serves about 10.

Red, White, & Blue Punch

Here is a yummy, easy and refreshing way to spruce up your Fourth of July party.  Pulling this punch together couldn't be more simple.  Plus it taste so good and the mint slowly infuses into the punch and makes it ultra refreshing on a hot summer day.  Here's the DL...
Ingredients
White Grape Juice
Sprite
3-5 sprigs of mint
2 cups of fresh blueberries
2 cups of fresh raspberries

Directions
Mix the well chilled white grape juice & sprite together in your beverage container using a one to one ratio.  Pour in the blueberries and raspberries and stir around to mix them up.  Put in the mint and give it one stir.  Enjoy!

Fourth of July Treat

I saw this idea for a fun Fourth of July dessert and thought you should know about it.  Super easy and super cute!  I simply got a box of ice cream bars from the store.  Cut them in half and then let them sit at room temperature for a couple minutes.  Once the sides are a little soft (but not melting, don't let them sit out too long) insert a popsicle stick into the bottom end.  Then sprinkle the edges with your favorite festive sprinkles.  Return the ice cream bars to the freezer and allow to freeze completely again before serving.

Then eat them all up, yum.  Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July!

Homemade BBQ Sauce

I recently realized that I have never dedicated a post to my homemade BBQ sauce.  I've squeezed it in on a few other recipes, but this sauce really deserves more recognition than that.  With that in mind and BBQ season here I thought I better get to it and share this yummy sauce.  This glorious sauce that is so cheap & easy to make.  This sauce that I eat spoonfuls of before drowning some variety of delicious meat in.  This sauce that has converted me from any form of store bought bottled BBQ sauce.  This sauce that make chicken (or pork, or beef, or elk) taste better than ever.  You too need to experience "the sauce".  Make a double batch and have some in the freezer for dipping or a last minute BBQ chicken dinner.  Here's the skinny...
Ingredients
1 onion diced
3 Tablespoons butter
2 cups ketchup
1/3 cup molasses
1 teaspoon mustard
2 tsp brown sugar
1 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/8 cup whiskey
Directions
Melt butter in  medium saucepan.  Add diced onion & cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients & allow to simmer stirring often for 20 minutes.  Taste it & add more salt or sugar as desired.  If you like things a little spicy add some chili powder.  So good you could eat it by the spoonful, but I suggest using it as a topping.  Makes about 2 1/4 cups.  Enjoy!

4th of July Feast: Meat

I think it's required by U.S. law that we BBQ for the 4th of July.  If it's not a law, it should be.  You can go many routes for your BBQ main dish.

Burgers

Steak

But today I want to share with you my baby back ribs recipe; an excellent all American 4th of July dish.  I love ribs, & I mean L.O.V.E. ribs.  Many people are intimidated by ribs, but they are actually quite easy.  Here's the skinny (or not so skinny if you're mean & scarf down about 10 of these babies):

You got to start by making the rub (recipe below).  This is a combination of seasonings that you literally rub on the ribs before you cook them.  The rub makes the meat wonderfully flavorful.

Now take your hands & rub that rub all over those ribs, both sides please.

Now many people would think you throw them on the grill at this point, but I differ.  If you want a really tender rib don't just go to grillin' them (unless your smoking them, but that's a whole other post).  Cover these babies up with tin foil & stick them in a 350 degree oven for an hour.

In the mean time whip you up some BBQ sauce (recipe below) & get that grill nice & hot.  Remove ribs from the oven & place on the prepared BBQ grill.  Next start slathering the ribs in BBQ sauce.

The ribs are already cooked so just grill it long enough for the BBQ sauce to caramelize & get all bubbly.

And a little charred looking... mmmm!  Now cut the ribs up by simply taking a knife & cutting in between each rib bone.

Eat em' up hot with an extra side dish of BBQ sauce.  Make sure to have extra napkins or wash clothes close by.  Enjoy your yummy Fourth of July!
Rub Recipe
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

BBB Q Sauce
1 onion diced
3 Tbls butter
2 cups ketchup
1/3 cup molasses
1 teaspoon mustard
2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 cup whiskey
Melt butter in sauce pan.  Add diced onion & cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients & allow to simmer stirring often for at least 10 minutes.  Taste it & add more salt or sugar as desired.  It you like things a little spicy add some chili powder.  So good you could eat it by the spoonful, but I suggest using it on top of ribs.


*recipe for 2 medium size rack of baby back ribs, adjust accordingly for your size of feast

4th of July Feast: Sides

Baked beans are a staple to any Fourth of July feast.  You could make your own homemade... or you can buy these.  I love these baked beans!  Which is saying a lot because in general I do not like baked beans.  The flavor in these Bush's Bourbon & Brown Sugar Grillin' Beans is awesome & the prep time only requires a can opener.

4th of July Feast: Dessert

Do to lack of time I could not make each of these desserts, photograph, & post them.  Therefore I am sending you to other websites for these fabulous desserts (click the picture to get the recipe).  I have had each of these desserts before & they always look festive & are the hit of the party.  Enjoy!

Red, White, & Blue Parfaits

You could substitute raspberries or strawberries for the currents

Flag Cupcakes

This one is too easy.  Make your favorite vanilla or white cupcakes.  Frost with your favorite white frosting.  Add a few red & blue sprinkles if you like & stick an American flag toothpick in the center (you can find these almost anywhere right now, also available at party stores).

Red, White, & Blue Trifle

This is probably the easiest desserts to make.  You can substitute strawberries for raspberries if you like.  Or go the more traditional route & add pound cake.  This is the perfect summertime dessert.

American Flag Cake

We have this every year & it's always a crowd pleaser.  Don't have time to make it homemade?  Use boxed cake mix & pre-made frosting & decorate yourself with blueberries & raspberries (or strawberries cut in half).