What is an Independence Day celebration without food? The USA’s national birthday party usually includes grilled burgers, hot dogs or maybe ribs – and other delectables. But for this year, the year of the USA’s 250th anniversary, the food should be extra special. So why not make something red, white and blue this July 4?
With the abundance of fresh, local berries this time of year, dessert is a natural choice. Blueberries and ruby red strawberries or raspberries nestled on a bed of whipped cream scream patriotic and can be used in a variety of ways. Trifle, blueberry and strawberry shortcake, fruit pizza – the possibilities are endless.
Try these delicious recipes and ideas:
- Mixed berry shortcake from “Seasons Around the Table” by Jessie-Sierra Ross
- Red, white and blue firecracker popsicles and other cool treats from “For the Love of Popsicles” by Sarah Bond
- Impress guests with the red, white and blue board in “Stunning Spreads” by Chrissie Nelson-Rotko.
But it doesn’t have to be dessert:
- Make a patriotic salad with watermelon, feta cheese and blueberries (find the recipe in “Four Seasons of Entertaining” by Shayla Copas, available in the library’s cookbook collection).
- Pair white and blue corn tortilla chips with a mostly red salsa.
- Cut small white, red and blue potatoes into halves and skewer them, then grill covered with herb butter. Alternatively, boil them until cooked for a patriotic potato salad.
Want more ideas? Check out the library’s cookbook collection via our online catalog or the Libby app (available at Google Play or the App Store). Make a red, white and blue dish to share and count it toward an activity badge for the Summer Library Challenge. Make sure to log it on Beanstack or talk to a staff member to mark your activity!
