Fourth of July Favorites to Get Your Stomach Growling

When I was younger, every year my parents would take my brother Ryan and I to their friends Bob and Doris’ house for the Fourth of July. As kids we loved this yearly tradition.  Our family would pack up the car with delicious appetizers and, of course, a few cases of beer, then head out to Haddon Heights, NJ. The adults would drink and merrily carry on with their stories of working together in the computer industry. I always thought they were fighting, but as I got older I realized they were jovially enjoying the amazing food and drink. 

The kids would hang out in the yard and walk to the nearby park. We drank tons of soda and fruity hug drinks then ate, ate, ate until our stomachs put us to sleep. My favorite recipes of this day were simple, easy, American as apple pie foods everyone enjoyed.

Since I am married now and have friends of my own, I am planning a small get together for the 4th this year. This is in hopes to recapture the excitement and delicacy of this holiday during my younger years. I would like to share a few of my favorites that maybe you can use for your celebration this 4th.

My first staple of any party I have is a 7 Layer Dip, my family calls, Doris’ Dip. Doris would make this dip for every occasion. It always was finished within the first half hour of any get together. My friends now call it Christine’s Dip!  I have modified it a bit to change with the times. My second favorite is Bruschetta. It is easy, quick and pleases even the pickiest of eaters. Lastly for dessert, I have a Red, White, and Blue trifle that looks beautiful and tastes even better!  

Doris’ Dip

Ingredients:

1 can of refried beans

3 very ripe avocados

1 cup of sour cream

1/3 cup of mayo

1 packet of taco seasoning

6 Roma tomatoes

1 pack scallions

1 can of black olives

1 pack of shredded cheddar cheese

2 tsp of lemon juice

1 pinch of salt

1 pinch of pepper

Making the layers:

1)      Cut up the avocados and mash in a mixing bowl.  Add 1 pinch of salt and 1 pinch of pepper.  Mix thoroughly.  After mixed well, add 2 tsp of lemon juice and combine until smooth.

2)      Combine sour cream, mayo and taco seasoning in a mixing bowl.  Mix until smooth and no taco seasoning is gathered at the bottom of the bowl.

3)      Chop tomatoes into tiny bite size cubes.

4)      Chop olives into thin round pieces.  You can also buy pre-sliced olives.

5)      Chop scallions into thin pieces.

Typically at this point I put all layers into plastic containers and construct the dip at the location of the party.  It is nice to construct it immediately before serving because the tomatoes will create a layer of water over the creamy layers.

Constructing the dip:

1)      On a large round tray spread the refried beans and spread over the whole top of the tray.

2)      Place the avocado mixture on top and spread thin over the beans.

3)      Place the sour cream mixture on top of the avocados and spread thin.

4)      Place the tomatoes on top of the sour cream mixture; take care to cover the entire dip.

5)      Cover the tomatoes with the olives and try to spread all over the dip.

6)      Spread the scallions

7)      Spread the cheddar cheese covering the entire dip so no layers are visible.

8)      Serve with “Hint of Lime” Tortilla Chips, Trader Joe’s Flaxseed tortilla chips (Or any brand of your preference)

9)      Watch the compliments come flying!  

My Favorite Bruschetta

I love bruschetta.  I can eat it as a meal.  One thing everyone likes, even if they dislike Italian food is bruschetta. Wow your guests with this simple recipe!

Ingredients:

6-7 Roma Tomatoes

2 – 3 cloves of garlic (I like a lot of garlic!)

6-8 Fresh Basil Leaves

1 tbs balsamic vinegar

1 tbs of extra virgin olive oil

1 pinch of salt

1 pinch of ground pepper

1 long baguette

¼ cup of olive oil

Directions:

 1)       Set oven to 450 degrees

2)      Cut baguette into small, round, bite size portions

3)      Place bread on a non-stick cookie sheet or pizza stone to make extra crispy

4)      Brush bread with olive oil and place in the oven for 7-10 minutes until brown

5)      Chop tomatoes into small bite size pieces

6)      Chop garlic (I like to chop my garlic smaller.  The smaller the pieces the more taste)

7)      Chop basil into small pieces

8)      Combine tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar in a bowl and mix until thoroughly distributed.

9)       Add salt and pepper to taste

10)      Place the bowl on a tray with the bread surrounding the mixture

11)   Serve and watch your guest enjoy!

Red, White, and Blue Trifle

This is my favorite quick and easy dessert when I have friends over.  It takes a little preparation but looks and tastes like you spent all day!

Ingredients:

1-2 containers of whipped cream (Or you can make your own preparations below)

2 containers of blueberries

2 containers of large strawberries

2 ounces of Sambuca or Rum

1 pack of Stella D’oro “S” Cookies or Margharita Cookies

Preparations:

1)      In a large mixing bowl combine the whipped cream and Sambuca

2)      Crumble the cookies in a large mixing bowl

Construction:

1)      In a large trifle bowl place the cookie crumbles in the bottom acting as the crust

2)      Layer whipped cream mixture on top

3)      Layer strawberries on top of the whipped cream

4)      Layer the blueberries on top of the strawberries

5)      Repeat until you reach the top of the trifle bowl.  I usually try to make the fruit the top layer but you can be creative and use the whipped cream and make a fun design with the fruit on top!

6)      Enjoy!

***Homemade Whipped Cream***

Ingredients:

1 cup of heavy cream

3 tbs sugar OR 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar (If you’d like a vanilla flavor a splash ½ tsp of vanilla extract)

Directions:

1)      Whip with your hand mixer until peaks form

2)      Enjoy!  

I hope you all try at least one of my recipes this 4th of July.  Be safe and eat until your heart is content. See you all at the parade! My husband, Elvis and I will be sitting on the Rare Coin Company lawn. Be sure to stop by and say Hello!