I love summer food. I especially love it when it is cooked/prepared outdoors. The Fourth of July is a great excuse to eat your old grilled favorites (hamburgers and hot dogs) or to try something new. With summer gardens ready to harvest, a 4th of July cookout can mean lots of color on the table. If you haven’t already, start planning your 4th of July menu and shopping list before the stores run out of your favorites. Here are some ideas for your cookout or picnic.
- Main Dish – If you want to break away from cheeseburgers this year, make your guests’ mouths water when you serve them kabobs (Sirloin or Vegetable), Grilled Chicken, or Salmon.
- Side Dishes – A little preparation makes an American Potato Salad or a Three Pepper Pasta Salad the perfect make ahead side. Wow a crowd with the brilliant display of a Patriotic Gelatin Salad.
- Fresh from the Garden or Farm – Local farms and gardens are at the peak of their growing season with everything you need to make Roasted Corn on the Cob, Cucumber Watermelon Salad, and Fried Green Tomatoes
- Drinks – Refreshing, family-friendly options include Watermelon Cooler Slushy, Strawberry Lemonade, or an Arnold Palmer. For the adults, they may want to let their hair down a little with a Strawberry Slush Delight or a Coconut Margarita.
- Desserts – Have a Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake, Shortcake, Trifle, or Fruit Pizza.
What is on the menu for your 4th of July cookout or picnic?
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View Comments (2)
You can never go wrong with a chicken. There are plenty of dishes we can create with this healthy white meat. Aside from enjoying the beach or parks during summer, it's also a great time to eat healthy. Watermelons and pineapples are fiber-enriched snacks you should chum after eating grilled steaks. Hmmm, those foods make me want to prepare some chicken salad.
Great alternative ideas! I always think I'd like to do something different, but our cookouts almost always have the same, basic menu. I'll have to try some of these ideas.
Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day; glad you liked the Molly review. She really has some neat ideas, especially for saving money!
My blog address has changed. Since I'm not sure if it will affect my followers, here's the new url: http://www.bethanylebedz.blogspot.com.
Have a great holiday!
Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom