Red, White, and Blue Eats for Your Patriotic Cookout

One week until Memorial Day!

While it definitely won’t be a “normal” summer here, we’re planning to keep up the tradition of patriotic cookouts for Memorial Day and the 4th of July – even if it is just the four of us. I love hanging on the deck with a spread of red, white, and blue food and since it’s social distancing approved, I’m leaning in!

Whether you’re celebrating with just your immediate family or you’re able to gather with extended family and friends, I’ve rounded up some fun red, white, and blue-themed food options for you!

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July Recipe Roundup {4th of July Recipes}

July is here and that means it’s time for cookouts, picnics, and celebrating the Fourth of July! It also means that summer is now in full swing. This month our group of bloggers is sharing recipes that are full of patriotic themes of blue and red as well as many grilling and cookout recipes, and a lot of fun desserts and treats. Keep reading to help you plan out your meals for the month of July and your July 4th celebrations. Don’t forget to check back on the last day of each month to see each monthly recipe round-up.

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Firecracker Cookies

I’ve been on a cookie kick for the last week or so. I mixed up batches of my favorites for a few parties last weekend so I wanted to try something new for this weekend’s festivities. These were super fun and super easy. You can make these with your favorite sugar cookie and buttercream recipes, or just use packages – whichever your schedule allows.

Adding pop rocks on top makes these firecrackers for your tongue but you want to add them right before serving or the moisture of the icing will activate all of the “popping” early.

FirecrackerCookies

Firecracker Cookies
(from momdot)

Your favorite sugar cookies
White icing
Strawberry or Watermelon PopRocks
Red, White and Blue Sprinkles

Prepare your favorite sugar cookies. Once cook, frost and decorate with sanding sugar and sprinkles. Add Pop Rocks right before serving.

Red, White & Blue Salad

We just finished up our annual June celebrating marathon. It always seems like everything happens this month and we end up over-indulging in party food. Rather than keep the trend going, I’m planning to make some really fresh, seasonal meals for the July 4th weekend, including this salad.

We’ve had really beautiful berries in the stores lately so this will be a perfect accompaniment to any grilled meal we cook up this weekend.

Red White Blue Salad

Red, White & Blue Salad
(adapted slightly from Green Lite Bites)
Serves 4 as a side

8 oz. baby spinach
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup quartered strawberries
1/4 cup feta cheese
3-4 Tbsp. poppyseed dressing

In a large bowl, toss together the spinach and dressing until evenly coated. Toss in the berries and transfer to serving bowl. Top with feta. Serve immediately.

Red White and Blue Salad

Patriotic Bundt Cake

Holidays don’t have to be complicated. More and more, I’m embracing simplicity. Yes, the food can be festive – but it doesn’t have to tie you up in the kitchen all day. It’s the people that are important.

A bundt cake drizzled with red, white, and blue icing, topped with red white and blue sprinkles.

This patriotic cake is deceptively simple. A little food coloring takes a boxed cake mix and a jar of icing to a whole other level. You’ll look like you spent all day on this, but you’ll be left with plenty of time to play!

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