July 3rd, 2012 
Summer’s into full swing with parties, grilling, and sun. And the fourth of July festivities seem to bring out the cook in everyone. Every year my girlfriend Mariann throws a fabulous fourth of July bash in her amazing backyard. She is the perfect hostess, greeting each guest in a timely manor and putting out any fires along the way. She is a seasoned party-throwing pro, but I often wonder how she does it. Her party is always festive, creative, and the food ever so scrumptious. Each year guests bring an appetizer, entree, or dessert, and every year I struggle with my dish. Although I work in food, and there’s a chef in the family, I too struggle to find the perfect recipe. Like many women, I vow to make something from scratch, but I can’t seem to find the time. This year I’ve started early and compiled a few simple, time-saving recipes to help you make the most of your bash.
Fruit Tart Flag
Time: 5 minutes
Fruit Tart Flag Photo Credit Tara Donne Recipe from Food Network Magazine
You’ll need:
- miniature tart shells or phyllo cups
- 8 ounce container of mascarpone cheese
- 3 tablespoons of confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
Directions:
Fill premade miniature tart shells or phyllo cups with sweet mascarpone cream (recipe below), then arrange on a tray and top with blueberries and halved strawberry slices to create stars and stripes.
Mascarpone Cream Recipe:
Beat an 8-ounce container of mascarpone cheese and 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar with a mixer until smooth. Gently fold in 1/2 cup freshly whipped cream.
Red, White and Blue Nacho Appetizer
Time: 10 Minutes
You’ll need:
Red, White and Blue nachos Photo Credit by David Roth Recipe by Sharon Cindrich and Judith Fertig
-
- 1 bag blue corn tortilla chips
- Cooking spray
- Aluminum foil
- Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- Salsa
- Sour cream
Directions:
-
- Place blue corn tortilla chips on a foil-covered baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle the chips with shredded Monterrey Jack, then bake at 350° for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Top the nachos with salsa and sour cream. Recipe courtesy of Family Fun
Revolutionary Strawberries
You’ll need:
Revolutionary Berries Appetizer Recipe by Sharon Cindrich and Judith Fertig, Photographs by David Roth
- Strawberries
- Blue sugar or edible glitter
- 12 ounces white chocolate chips
-
- Melt 12 ounces of white chocolate chips in a microwave according to the package directions (make sure the container and the berries are dry; even a little moisture will alter the texture of the candy).
- One at a time, dip strawberries into the chocolate and then into blue sugar or edible glitter.
- Set them to harden on waxed paper.
- Makes 35 to 45 decorated berries.
Spicy Sausage Wonton Stars
Time: 20 minutes
You’ll need:
Spicy Sausage Wonton Stars. Photo Credit & Recipe Taste of Home
- 1 pound bulk spicy pork sausage
- 2 medium carrots, finely shredded
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
- 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
- 1 cup (4 ounces) finely shredded pepper Jack cheese
- 1 cup (4 ounces) finely shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
- 36 wonton wrappers
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- Sliced cherry tomatoes, optional
Every recipe looks do delicious and creative. I can’t wait to try!
They are!!! I would love to see a picture of how yours turns out.. Contact me through email if you try one of these!!!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to understand so much approximately this, like you wrote the e book in it or something. I believe that you just could do with a few p.c. to power the message house a bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.