This year I am saying the Fourth of July instead of 4th of July…because I love the F in Fourth, Food, Family, Friends and Fireworks! How perfect is that?
The Fourth of July is one of my Favorite holidays…It celebrates our country’s independence…our Freedom (again another word beginning with F) and if I try to push this a little bit Further I could say there is a certain Fashion in the Fourth! Fun red, white and blue Flags, Festive decorations, Fabulous Food.
Ok enough! Let’s celebrate with some great recipes.
With loads of summer squash in the garden and at your local farmers markets, a squash casserole is a must. I have several recipes on my website, but this one from The Blackberry Farm Cookbook is probably my favorite. The combination of Parmesan Cheese and Manchego Cheese (one of my favorites) is really special.
Summer Squash Casserole without bread crumbs
Summer Squash Casserole with Bread Crumbs
SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE
Serving Size: 8
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 vidalia onion, finely chopped
- 4 medium yellow squash, cut in fourths lengthwise then cut into 1/4 inch slices
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup grated Manchego cheese
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs or panko Japanese bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Butter or spray with Pam a 8 x 8 baking dish. Set aside.
- Melt butter over medium high heat. Spoon off 2 tablespoons melted butter and set aside.
- Add chopped onions and cook, stirring often, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add squash, stir well, cover and cook 8 minutes, stirring often until the squash is tender but not browned.
- Transfer the squash to a large bowl. Let it cool for a few minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan, 3/4 cup of the Manchego cheese, and 1/2 cup bread crumbs.
- Stir in eggs, salt and pepper
- Transfer the squash mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup Manchego and the remaining 1/2 cup bread crumbs. Drizzle with the reserved melted butter and toss.
- Scatter the crumb mixture over the casserole.
- Bake 30 minutes, until the crumbs are golden brown. Serve hot.
Notes
Several tips... Recipe says serves 8...but I think 1 1/2 times or doubling it is a better idea...using a larger casserole dish. I think to cut down on the butter you could sauté the onions in olive oil and still use 2 tablespoons melted butter for the bread crumbs. Also I like to have a little more color....could use half yellow summer squash and half zucchini squash. In their cookbook, Blackberry Farms suggests that to do ahead....make it 1-2 days in advance, including baking. To make ahead, let baked casserole cool, then cover with foil and refrigerate. Keep the foil in place when warming the casserole for 30 minutes at 325 degrees.By KathyMillerTime
The Blackberry Farm Cookbook
Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com
The Fourth of July always evokes memories of eating watermelon as a child. Watermelon is the perfect summer food because of its coolness and hydrating freshness.
To this day whenever I eat a watermelon slice, I am transported back to my grandparents’ south Georgia home, vividly recalling those hot summer days spent speed spitting the watermelon seeds off the back porch steps.
These days I don’t sit around spitting the seeds out, but I do still love a good cold watermelon. For summer suppers, I make several versions of watermelon salad.
Here’s a new recipe for me from Georgia friend Penny Giles. She served this at a summer supper…love the watermelon tomato combination…I also tried this with no sugar. It was still delicious. If the shallots are too strong, could use thin slices of sweet vidalia onions, especially in the summer time when vidalias are readily available.
Watermelon and Tomato Salad
WATERMELON TOMATO SALAD
Serving Size: 4-6
Ingredients
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1 inch cube
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 12 ounces yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice
- 1 shallot sliced into thin rings
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into 1 inch pieces (or small mozzarella balls)
Instructions
- Gently comnine watermelon and sugar in a large bowl. Transfer watermelon to colander and set colander in now-empty bowl. Cover colander with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Toss tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a small bowl; set aside.
- Whisk oil, vinegar, lemon zest and juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in large bowl.
- Add shallot, basil, drained watermelon, and tomatoes and toss gently to combine.
- Transfer to a platter and evenly scatter mozzarella over top. Drizzle with extra olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Kathy's Comments...I also tried this with no sugar. It was still delicious. If the shallots are too strong, could use thin slices of sweet vidalia onions, especially in the summer time when vidalias are readily available.Penny Giles via KathyMillerTime
Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com
Another great appetizer for those hot summer Fourth of July picnics (and tailgating) is from my Tennessee Fan and Friend, Ann Bodie.
MARINATED CHEESE
Fourth of July version on white plate
Tennesse version on orange and white checkerboard plate. Go Vols
Marinated Cheese
Serving Size:
Ingredients
- 1 block cream cheese
- 1 block sharp cheddar
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup white wine vinegar (can use red wine vinegar)
- 1 2oz jar pimentos, drained
- 3T chopped fresh parsley
- 3T minced green onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1t sugar
- ¾ t dried basil
- ½ t salt
- ½ t pepper
- Triscuits for serving
Instructions
- Cut cheeses in half lengthwise, then cut into ¼” slices.
- The cream cheese cuts best if placed in the freezer to harden a little.
- Line cheeses up, alternating colors into serving dish.
- Combine marinade and pour over cheese.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. It will have hardened up a little, but will liquify again fairly quickly.
- Serve with Triscuits.
Notes
A great Tennessee game day appetizer. From Ann Bodie via Joy McCabeBy Ann Bodie via Joy McCabe
Via KathyMillerTime
Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com
And Finally a Fabulous Fourth of July Cheesecake recipe from Frances Stone.
Blueberry, Raspberry and Strawberry Cheesecake
Blueberry & Strawberry Cheesecake
Serving Size: 12
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
- 3/4 cup cold butter
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling
- 5 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup half-and-half cream
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 cup crushed strawberries
- 1 cup crushed blueberries
- Blueberries, raspberries and strawberries for top
- Fresh mint and basil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and lemon peel.
- Cut in butter until crumbly.
- Whisk egg yolks and vanilla; add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball.
- Press onto the bottom and 3 inches up the sides of a greased 9-inch springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 5-8 minutes or until lightly browned. \
- Cool on a wire rack.
For Filling
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the cream, flour, lemon peel, salt and vanilla.
- Add eggs and yolk; beat on low speed until just combined.
- Divide batter in half. Fold crushed strawberries and blueberries into half of the batter.
- Pour into crust.
- Top with remaining batter. Return pan to baking sheet.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 300 degrees and bake 60-70 minutes longer or until center is almost set.
- Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
- Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer
- Refrigerate overnight.
- Remove sides of pan.
- Garnish with blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.
By Frances Stone via KathyMillerTime
Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com
What is your Favorite Fourth of July recipe?
Watch for upcoming Fouth of July decorations.
Come celebrate with me. I’ll save you a seat at the picnic table!
11 Comments
Kathy, you are amazing. Have a great 4th. Charlie
Thanks Charlie! I will be making the watermelon salad and the squash casserole when the family is in for the FOURTH. Hope you have a great one!
Looks terrific. Have a great 4th. Charlie
You too Charlie and Rosemary!
Always special and interesting as your paintings are too. My family coming from Atlanta Monday.
Happy FOURTH to you and Dave and your family!
Love,
Carol Ann
Thank you Carol Ann! Hope you have a wonderful FOURTH with your family. Should be a hot one so let’s eat watermelon.
I miss those days of watermelon seed spitting…carefree summer days spent swimming at Blue Springs, playing hopscotch in the sand, and hoping for a ride on Billy Kay’s horse 🙂
I wish I had that picture of me spitting seeds off of Grandma’s porch…Do you have one? Miss you and wish we could be together on the Fourth!
I will look😊
Wish you could find it! I have it in my mind….Would be in Mom’s stuff
I remember Billy Kay and his horse! I was smitten!