The quintessential summer holiday is just days away. Grocers will be trying to lure you in with reduced prices for all your BBQ needs. Take advantage and stock up for future backyard bashes.
Fourth Of July is one of those all day holidays, from breakfast before the parade, to lunch by the pool, BBQ dinner at sunset, and treats by the light of firecrackers. Your best bet for a smashing party is preparedness. Don't worry. I've got you covered with a fantastic, unbelievably delicious make ahead menu featuring a quick homemade peach barbecue sauce to coat your grilled chicken, a cool and creamy blue cheese potato salad, and smoky brown sugar baked beans with loads of bacon. For dessert, I've got berry cobbler and patriotic M and M cookies, with vanilla ice cream (homemade? still deciding...). Time to get shopping! Stop by everyday this week for recipes and tips to make your Independence Day a scrumptious success.
I'm including my dinner menu, but I'm also serving hot dogs and chips for lunch, then popcorn and lemonade during fireworks. For breakfast, I'll be making cran-blue berry scones with lemon glaze, and I'll share that recipe on Tuesday.
Menu for 8
Grilled Chicken with Easy Tangy Peach Barbecue Sauce
Blue Cheese Red Potato Salad
Tomato and Cucumber Slaw with Lemon Dressing
Brown Sugar and Bacon Baked Beans
Homemade Refrigerator Pickles (from previous post)
Corn on the Cob
Watermelon
Dessert
Triple Berry Cobbler (from previous post)
Red, White, and Blue M and M Cookies
Vanilla Ice Cream (hopefully homemade)
Shopping List for Dinner items:
1 (1o ounce) bag angel hair cabbage
2 tomatoes
1 cucumber
3 lbs. red potatoes
3 stalks celery
1 bunch green onions
flat leaf parsley, if desired
cilantro, if desired
2 lemons
1 yellow onion
blue cheese, any variety
buttermilk
peach preserves
dried cranberries and blueberries (for scones)
1 lb. bacon
3 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans
peach or apricot preserves
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Staples:
mayonnaise
dijon mustard
yellow mustard
red wine or cider vinegar
ketchup
BBQ sauce
worcestershire sauce
honey
flour
sugars
eggs
butter
If you choose to make the cobbler, you'll need fresh or frozen berries and cream in addition to the staple items. For the M and M cookies, you'll need staples plus the obvious M and Ms. We're trying to squeeze in some homemade ice cream, so I'm adding whipping cream and whole milk to my grocery list.
Coming Tomorrow:
Brown Sugar and Bacon Baked Beans
