Let's Eat!!

The 4th of July is next weekend and the past two weeks I have been helping you plan your 4th of July party with suggestions for invitations and ideas to help decorate. Well, now it is time to EAT!!! I love food, especially cookouts, so I have found a few recipe ideas for you to help you plan your cookout for next weeks celebration!

I love turkey burgers! They are easy and healthy and there are so many ways you can grill them! I gave you a simple recipe below from Martha Stewart, but check out other versions on her site!

Serves 4

1 1/2 pound ground turkey

1/2 cup finely greted Gryere cheese (motzarella works good too)

4 scallions thinly sliced

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1/4 cup dried breadcrumbs

1 garlic clove mined

Course salt and ground pepper

For Grates

Oil

Heat grill to high. In a medium bowl, use a fork to gently combine ground turkey with Gruyere, scallions, breadcrumbs, mustard, and garlic; season generously with salt and pepper. Gently form mixture into four 1-inch-thick patties.

Lightly oil grill. Place patties on hottest part of grill; sear until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Move patties to cooler part of grill; continue grilling until cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes per side.

You will have to adjust recipe for how many people you are serving

I saw these hot dogs at Better Homes and Gardens and they looked so good! Using Dr. Pepper as an ingredient for the BBQ sauce!!

Ingredients

4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1 large yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 12-oz. can Dr Pepper

1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

3 Tbsp. tomato paste
2 tsp. ancho chili powder
1 tsp. finely ground white pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
8 hot dogs (1-lb. pkg.)

8 hot dog buns, split and toasted
Toppers: pickles, sliced jalapeño peppers, chopped onion (optional)

directions

1. For sauce, in medium saucepan cook and stir onion and garlic in hot butter over medium heat about 10 minutes until onions are tender. Add all ingredients except hot dogs, buns, and toppers. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Cook, uncovered, until sauce begins to thicken, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool sauce 10 minutes.

2. Puree sauce in pan with immersion blender, or transfer to a blender jar, cover, and blend until smooth.

3. Meanwhile, on charcoal grill cook hot dogs on rack directly over medium coals for 5 to 7 minutes or until heated through.(For gas grill, heat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Cook on grill rack over heat. Cover; grill as above.) Serve hot dogs on buns with toppers. Makes 8 hot dogs and 4 cups sauce.

• Summer time means corn on the cob!!! Martha Stewart also had this great recipe!
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Makes 16 pieces

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4 ears shucked corn

1/2 lime

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
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Grill corn over high heat, turning until lightly blackened in places and kernels are just tender when pressed, about 12 minutes.

Cut each ear into 4 pieces. Transfer to a sturdy, medium-size paper bag and squeeze lime over corn. Sprinkle with chili powder and coarse salt. Close bag and shake to coat. Serve immediately from the bag or in a bowl.

• A simple desert that everyone will love from Better Homes and Gardens!

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• Ingredients
• 1 8-ounce carton vanilla low-fat yogurt
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 of an 8-ounce container frozen light whipped dessert topping, thawed
• 3 cups fresh raspberries and/or cut-up fresh strawberries
• 3 cups fresh blueberries

directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together yogurt and almond extract or vanilla. Fold in whipped topping.

2. To serve, in six 12-ounce glasses or dessert dishes, alternate layers of the berries with layers of the yogurt mixture. Makes 6 servings.

Make-Ahead Directions: Prepare parfaits as directed through Step 2. Cover and chill for up to 1 hour.

These are just a few great recipes that you can find on the sites I listed, or you can search for you own! Just remember to adjust the recipes for your number of people that are celebrating with you!!!

Time to Decorate!!

Invitations are sent out and now the next step is finding that perfect decor to make your holiday party stand out! Decorating doesn't have to be overboard or dramatic, sometimes it is the subtle things that stand out the most. Giving that extra bit of attention to something can make all the difference.

Below are some great ideas and sites that you can visit to help you add your bit of fireworks to your 4th of July party!

I have always wanted a great porch to decorate for the holidays. The buntings and flags are a great way to welcome guests and show your patriotic flare. These can purchased at a local shops or chains such as AmericanParty Store. Grand in Road also has some Martha Stewart buntings with various patterns that would look great.

These great little candles are easy and can be something that the kids can help with. They are simple yet add that punch of red, white and blue. Learn how to make these here.

I started saving spaghetti jars because I would see all these ideas that I wanted to try to do with them and also to recycle. These 'fireworks' will make a great display at a buffett table or on the dinner table! Again, this is something easy and the kids can help too! Click here to learn how to make these.

Pinwheels are a favorite of mine and can be made in any color under the sun. Display them in containers, in flower arrangements, in the ground or anywhere where your eye sees fit! Here are easy directions to help you get started from Better Homes and Gardens.

A great way to decorate and be functional are with these patriotic tubs! Fill them with ice and they are a great way to keep drinks cold. These can be purchased at Grand in Road as well.

These are more great ideas that Susan from Entertain Exchange featured in her blog. I love Martha Stewart!

Talented Etsy artists can lend a hand as well!

1. Starry and Striped Table Runner by Quilted Hearts 5

2. Shabby Chic Apron by Lofty Lady

3. Cupcake Toppers for 4th of July by Susie Dees

4. Red, White, Blue Celebration Pennant by Stitching in Socks

5. Patriotic Handheld Pinwheels by Cross Road Cottage

6. Fourth of July Party Tablescape by Paper and Cake - This is customizable and you can download it in a pdf file and print!

7. Primitive Stripe Medium Oblong Planter Tub by Brody and Ma

So many choices are out there and so many ideas! Whatever you choose, just have fun with it all!!