Recipes for a delicious 4th of July

Looking for recipe ideas for your July 4th celebration? Here are a number of our favorites from the Blue Kitchen archives.

JULY 4th IS AT THE APEX OF GRILLING SEASON IN THE UNITED STATES. It’s practically written into our constitution that every household shall cook out of doors on this day. So I’m going to start this post with ideas for the meal’s centerpiece.

Something from the grill

Know what’s almost as American as grilling? Our penchant for borrowing ingredients and cooking techniques from the many cultures we’ve welcomed to our shores. With the Grilled Asian Flank Steak above, dry brining the meat ensures its tenderness. Marinating it in ginger, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, scallions, hot sauce and more makes it a show-stopping main course.

Some more ideas for the grill. Speaking of borrowing techniques, Tea-smoked Grilled Chicken with Star Anise & Orange uses an ancient Chinese cooking technique to infuse foods with delicate, complex flavors. For a different take on burgers, try these Grilled Lamb Feta Burgers with Light Rémoulade. The lamb, feta and grill smoke make the burgers delicious in their own right. And the light rémoulade made with parsley, garlic, capers, whole grain mustard, olive oil and Greek yogurt standing in for the traditional for mayonnaise gives it a lively finish.

Get off to a cool start with a chilled soup

This trio of soups can be made ahead and served cold as a refreshing first course. Canned tomatoes, cucumbers, red bell pepper, scallions, paprika, lime juice and fresh cilantro make Marion’s Gazpacho a simple summer go-to for us.

For a surprising starter served in small soup bowls or as shooters, Strawberry Gazpacho, made with cucumber, cayenne pepper, chives and hot sauce, creates a sweet, tangy, spicy take on classic gazpacho. Or if you’re a Francophile by way of New York like me, some classic Watercress Vichyssoise might be what you’re looking for.

Potato salads, classic and otherwise

Nothing says summer like potato salad. Marion’s Classic American Potato Salad, with mayonnaise, yellow mustard and the crunchy bite of red bell peppers, says it eloquently.

For a less traditional approach, try my Deconstructed Italian Potato Salad. Sliced potatoes are arranged on a serving platter, drizzled with garlic-infused olive oil, then topped with heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, capers and red onion tossed in more olive oil. Inspired by Mark Bittman and served warm, Potato Salad with Capers, Shallots and Mustard is bursting with flavor and sophisticated enough to go with anything.

Salads, lettuce and otherwise

Instead of the standard mixed greens (not that we have anything against them), consider these. The first is lettuce-free. Mexican Fruit Salad with Chili Powder is a popular treat offered by Los Angeles push cart vendors. Fresh fruit is sprinkled with salt, chili powder and fresh lime juice for a quick, healthy snack or a vibrant side for a barbecue.

For another lettuce-free take on the ubiquitous summer salad, try a Brussels Sprouts Salad with Blue Cheese. Shaved Brussels sprouts are dressed with lemon juice and olive oil, then tossed with pistachios, thyme and blue cheese. Every time we serve our Endive Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts, our guests do everything but pick up the empty platter and lick it. This classic French salad was introduced to us by one of our favorite NYC restaurants.

What’s for dessert?

For the final course, skip the baked goods and heating up the house. And get inventive. Ricotta-Vanilla Cream uses four basic ingredients—ricotta cheese, vanilla, milk and sugar—to create a simple, silky, rich base for inventing your own desserts. Add fresh fruit or pistachio nuts and honey (or whatever).

Dress up store-bought ice cream, frozen yogurt or pound cake with five-ingredient Blackberry Thyme Compote. Delicate, creamy mascarpone is a buttery rich Italian dessert cheese. Here, it’s used to create the starting point for countless impressive, easy-to-make Mascarpone Cream Desserts.

Whatever you choose to cook, serve and enjoy, have a wonderful holiday!