Start Cooking blog: Start the Party with a Bang: Independence Day Menu

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Start the Party with a Bang: Independence Day Menu

Whether your Fourth of July celebration is a family affair, a neighborhood gathering or a party with friends, you’ll want to enjoy great food as well.  This mix-and-match menu will help you get everything planned for a great party!

Pick one or two options from each section and you’re all set.

Appetizers

• Chips and dip: onion or spinach dip,  fresh salsa, 7-Layer Dip or guacamole
• Vegetable platter

Main Courses

• Anything on the grill: hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken or Weight-Watcher-friendly kebabs
• For the vegetarians in the crowd, try the best ever vegetarian burgers
• Pulled pork especially if you’re in the south!

Side Dishes

• Pasta salad or a Make Ahead Layered Salad
• Potato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette (video) or try Ed Livine's Potato Salad that's made with mayo and hard cooked eggs
• Corn on the cob
• Southern tomato pie, sort of like an eggless tomato quiche.
• Broccoli salad with black olives and feta
• Baked Beans
• Get the kids involved in helping you make deviled eggs

Very Berry Summer Pie, photo courtesy of Kelly Wright, Sass & Veracity blog

Desserts

• Fruit Salad
• Watermelon - of course!
• “Patriotic” desserts, like The Barefoot Contessa's famous flag cake (video) is  made from scratch with strawberry “stripes” and blueberry “stars”
• Rhubarb strawberry crisp, made from local and healthy ingredients
• This Mixed Berry Tart can be made from scratch or simplify things by using a pre-made pie crust, and instant vanilla pudding instead of making the vanilla pastry cream from scratch.
• Berry trifle, also with the colors of our flag
• Strawberry shortcake: A classic combination of biscuit, fresh strawberries and whipped cream, that never fails to delight.
• Get creative with your own ice cream sandwiches or frozen or no-bake pies

Drinks

• Make sure your friends and family stay hydrated with lots of water!
• Lemonade – the old-fashioned way
• Iced Tea

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