<p>It’s that time of year again! Another month, another cookout! </p>
<p>We have entertainment set aside. The guys have the grilling all planned out. However, I’m feeling a bit creative this year, and am looking for some new snacks and late-evening food to serve. Every year we have the normal fruit and chips, but it gets boring. </p>
<p>What are you preparing for Fourth of July? Any foods that are thoroughly enjoyed?</p>
<p>Fourth of July as an expat in London - a lot of the pubs give a free drink to anyone with an American passport. And the London Democrats have a big party. No fireworks though. </p>
<p>Any time I put food on a wooden skewer and call it a kabob, people think it’s so fancy! An easy recipe is to make ‘antipasto’ kabobs. Marinate chunks of cucumber, olives, cherry tomatos, salami, mozzarella balls, red pepper, even cooked tortellini in an herb/italian dressing mixture and let sit overnight. Then thread and present on a large platter. I’ve also done the same by threading different chunks of fruit on skewers. Also, if people like candy, I’ve threaded those large round gum drops, three or four to a skewer & displayed in a tall vase or a piece of styromfoam.</p>
<p>Another idea: I just had a h.s. grad. party for S2. I made a grilled vegetable platter with grilled zucchini, summer squash, tri colored peppers, eggplant, red onion and asparagus. I was amazed by how fast that went. Most people I encounter these days eat real healthy. So even if they’re not vegetarians, they seem to gravitate toward lots of veggie options. Different types of salads are always a hit…just google side salads and you get a gazillion choices…I also made a huge, huge salad with citrus fruits and golden beets and pistachios…everyone was blown away and wanted the recipe…so depending on your crowd, try to have healthy choices too for people to choose…</p>
<p>Mexican fruit salad. Pineapple, cucumber, mango, jicama, watermelon, coconut drizzled with fresh lime juice. Add salt and chili powder to taste. Personally, painfully hot is the way to go but YMMV. </p>
<p>@chocchipcookie Kabobs, huh? I will try that. I know we had some maybe four years ago, and they have not made an appearance since! I will also look into the candy things because I’m sure the kids will like them!</p>
<p>@socalmom23 The Mexican salad sounds great. We are a family of islanders. I think they will enjoy a different spin on the regular fruit salad that we have - just a blend of pineapple, strawberries, melons and berries. </p>
<p>Thank you, you guys. </p>