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Posts from the ‘4th of July’ Category

Jul 4

ICE CREAM SODAS-PERFECT FOR JULY 4th

ICE CREAM SODAS-PERFECT FOR JULY 4th

This is a reprint of one of my most popular posts and a favorite of mine because it’s a perfect fit for this specific time. July 4th is a traditional holiday, without set traditions—except for fireworks. Their exuberance and spontaneity are iconic of this holiday’s mood. Those adjectives describe ice cream sodas too. With only 4 ingredients, hand-made just before serving, the variety and combinations of flavors, as well as sodas’ cooling effect make them a fitting treat for Independence Day.

I don’t remember them in their hay day, when Soda Jerks made coke by the glass from syrup and seltzer, but I do remember the iconic Ice Cream Soda. Nowadays, the only way we sip ice cream through a straw is with milk shakes. Sodas are two-textured, to be sipped and spooned, enjoyed at leisure and ultimately satisfying.

Sadly, sodas seem to have disappeared from popularity along with the fountains. The Ice Cream Soda was a special treat, built by hand, opulent, gleaming and overflowing the glass, served with an ice tea spoon and a straw, it took time to eat. It offered contrasts in taste and texture down to the last drop, and left you feeling satisfied, not just filled.

It always seemed the ideal dish for the Fourth of July, as appropriate to the holiday as pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving. My association is also linked to childhood memories. My Aunt and Cousin always arrived July 1st for the summer and every Friday night, they, my Grandmother, my Mother and I went to the movies and afterward to a popular ice cream parlor for sodas. Nothing tasted so good as the soda on that first Friday, which was always within a few days of the 4th.

I can still remember the choices. My cousin and I stood by our usuals, chocolate for me, strawberry for her, but the women varied their orders regularly. Grandmother liked all vanilla, or asked for peach ice cream or one scoop peach and one strawberry. My Aunt picked a chocolate soda with a ripple ice cream, fudge, caramel or peanut, because she liked the taste tweaks as she ate. My Mother chose a chocolate soda with coffee, pistachio or mint chip ice cream, creating different flavors.

Every so often, at this time of year, I used wax nostalgic and make sodas for my kids and their friends, but mine didn’t generously overflow. I wasn’t into cleaning dippy messes and something else was missing. The kids loved them and were always happy I made them, but to children used to soft-serve cones and take-out shakes everywhere, to whom an ‘ice cream fix’ was opening the freezer door, my ‘special’ magic wasn’t there.

I really would like to see the Ice Cream Soda make a comeback. Anyone can make one. All they need is an ice cream scoop and the flavor options are limitless. If my relatives could consider 11 combinations normal in those conservative food years, when Howard Johnson’s 28 flavors was thought exotic, imagine what could be concocted today. Moreover, it’s easy to create new ones with home machines.

There are also many favors of syrups in the markets now. Additionally, we may not be the basic ’from scratch’ cooks our grandmothers were, but we are adept at accessorizing our dishes and that includes making syrups. I make coffee syrup frequently for Tiramisu. Simple syrup is equally easy and can be flavored with pureed fruit and/or extracts. Lemon curd is available and it’s always possible to turn to old standbys like maple syrup or butterscotch sauce to improvise.

Then there’s the huge variety of flavored seltzers in markets today, white grape, peach, raspberry, lime to name just a few. They can provide interesting contrasts in tastes as well. Using flavored soda isn’t a novel idea either. The famous ‘Brown Cow’ was chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream and coke.

Which brings me to the ‘kissing cousin’ of the ice cream soda, the Float; simpler than the soda, it’s simply a soda pop, originally, I think, root beer, or other carbonated beverage even beer and ale, poured over a scoop of ice cream. Does anyone still remember root beer? Apparently, however, floats aren’t such dinosaurs as ice cream sodas. Guinness features one made with ale in its current recipe book.

So here’s an idea. July 4th is this week. Why not celebrate a truly American holiday by remembering a traditional American drink? You can even make a party of it, kinda like a sundae party, by offering different ice creams, a variety of seltzers and syrups, even some toppings, whipped cream, cherries, jimmies. Line up the options and let people make their own. It doesn’t have to be a large group, in fact smaller is better, but it is festive.

Just one tip; in choosing the ice cream for a soda, think twice about varieties with larger add-ins, like nuts and candy. They don’t fit in a straw, or worse, clog it, making eating difficult. I wouldn’t advise cookie cough either, not just for that reason, but the soda will partially dissolve it and, being heavy, it will sink, leaving a gummy mass in the bottom of the glass.

Happy Fourth of July all!

RECIPES

Basic Ice Cream Soda Recipe:

Single serving
20 oz. glass
3 Tbs. flavored syrup or + to taste
2 scoops of ice cream
Chilled club soda, seltzer water (Not sparkling mineral water) or other carbonated drink, cola, ginger ale or other pale soda pop.
Pour the syrup into the bottom of the glass; add about of 1 oz. soda and 1 scoop of ice cream. Stir gently around the sides of the ice cream lifting the syrup up around the scoop. Slowly add more soda to fill the glass ¾, mixing the contents gently as you pour. Add the other scoop of ice cream, and fill the glass with the soda water, creating bubbles.

Basic Ice cream Float:

Single serving
20 oz. glass
1 scoop ice cream
Carbonated beverage, including beer or ale.
Fill the glass about ½ full with the liquid, add the ice cream and then pour over the liquid to fill.

Simple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Combine and heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. If it seems thin, cook to evaporate water until desired consistency.

Brown Simple Syrup:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
Follow above directions.

Coffee Syrup:
Method 1) Make either above syrup with strong coffee in place of water
Method 2) Add 1 Tbs. or to taste, instant coffee as you make it. I like Instant Espresso for flavor depth.

Vanilla Syrup:
While cooking simple syrup add from 2-3 tsp. or more vanilla to taste. This amount will also be determined by whether pure extract or imitation is used. The main thing is not to let it dilute the syrup recipe, so the length of cooking time will depend on the degree the fluid needs reducing to achieve the right consistency.

Fresh Fruit Syrups:

Examples of how fresh fruits can be used. Always store chilled. Traditionally these directions would have included straining, but I like the rustic appearance of a rougher texture.


Strawberry
Marinate sliced berries in sugar as for shortcake topping, then puree.


Peach
Method 1) about ½ cup peeled, sliced fruit and 1Tbs. simple syrup, or to consistency, pureed
Method 2) Roasted peach half(halves-depending on quantity wanted) pureed with simple syrup, if needed. Gives a more intense flavor

Blueberry
½ cup blueberries and 1+? Tbs. simple syrup microwaved at 1 min. intervals for 3 min. or until soft, then pureed.

Feel free to experiment—perhaps chopped apple, with cinnamon treated as blueberries or plums substituted for peaches. A few drops of liqueur or extract or a pinch of spice can add to the taste as well.

Jun 30

Hot Dogs with Topping Bars Better than Burgers

HOT DOGS WITH TOPPING BARS-BETTER THAN BURGERS

The 4th of July has conjured images of grilled food ever since WWII when outdoor grills became standard backyard features. The picture of a grill over flames, loaded with burgers on one side and hot dogs on the other became an icon for this American holiday.  But about 1970, hot dogs began to fade from that scene. Probably, those little glass boxes with them rotating on spits which appeared on every lunch counter, played a part. Hot dogs became considered a cheap snack.

However, they still had public appeal as proven by a beach snack bar which opened in the 1980s, and has become tradition, in an exclusive New Jersey resort. It serves nothing but pricy hot dogs, offering, in addition to ‘specials’, over 40 toppings mix-and-match.  It’s always crowded with a line waiting to be served. People still want ‘dogs’, they just want good ones dressed up-‘gourmatized’ if you will. 

This is something to consider today, with the 4th and the summer ahead.  Hamburger has doubled in cost since 1999, no longer with the choice of cut, just fat content. If your celebration includes small children who abandon, drop and throw finger foods, that’s an expensive waste. Hot dogs offer a reasonable alternative. To see more recioes for hot dogs go to Sept. 26, 2013.

So give your wallet a break and get credit for innovation. Serve hot dogs with a toppings bar at your next cookout.  Some of the recipes below suggest specific types of hot dogs, but there are so many varieties on the market, vegan, chicken, beef, classic, that there should be no dietary restriction problems in choosing which one, or ones, to serve.

Hot dogs are now made in so many varieties, classic with pork, beef, turkey, chicken, even veggie, that dietary restrictions no longer apply. Some of the recipes below suggest specific dogs, but use your own judgement.  Just pick a brand which can hold its own with the topping flavors.

Buns are another option. The traditional side-split is most popular, but I’ve always liked the New England style- a slice of bread about 2 inches thick, toasted on both sides and sliced almost through in the center. I think Pepridge Farm carries them. Another option is tortillas. They can be kept in the grill warmer and they were created to hold lots of toppings, so they’re perfect here.  I can verify they’re less filling and a lot neater than buns.

Two tips on buns:1)If the recipe includes melted cheese, prepare several hot dogs and it them snugly into a pan. Place the pan I the grill warmer or a 250 deg. oven for 5-7 min. The cheese evenly melts and the buns crisp.
2) To make a ‘boat’ which holds more toppings, open a bun and laying it flat, make 2 shallow slits on both sides about 1 inch up from the bottom and ending about 1 inch short of the ends. Fold the sides up and the curved ends to meet, pressing them closed with wet fingertips.

Finally the toppings; they do take thought at first but if you know the number you’re serving and their general taste preferences, (Do they like spicy? Love cheese? Choose Italian or Mexican?)  you’ll soon have the favorite toppings narrowed down. You can always expand for a change or for guests, but the basics of a toppings bar will become pantry staples for quick meals. Once you feel secure, adding extras is easy. See he list of favorite, pantry stable toppings below.

RECIPES

These first 6 recipes are from:  https://www.ballparkbrand.com/recipes

Late Summer Dog

15 oz. pack Beef Hot Dogs

1 peach, sliced

8 slices cooked bacon

8 ounces grape tomatoes, halved

¼ cup crumbled goat cheese

Prepare your franks however you like.

Grill the peach slices over high heat. Look for a golden color on all sides. It takes about 30 seconds per side. Nestle the hot dogs and bacon into the buns. Top with peaches, tomatoes and crumbled goat cheese.

Guacamole Dog

15 oz. pack Beef Hot Dogs

2 avocados

½ cup diced red onion

1 lime, juiced

1 tablespoon diced jalapeno

2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro

½ cup diced tomatoes

Prepare your franks however you like. Mash the avocados in a mixing bowl. Stir in onion, lime juice, jalapenos, cilantro and tomato. Put the hot dogs in the buns and top with a (generous) scoop of that homemade guacamole

Sweet and Spicy Dog
1 (15 ounces) pack  Classic Hot Dogs

1 (13.5 ounces) pack Hawaiian-style hot dog buns

8 slices cooked bacon

1/2 cup pineapple and pepper jelly or relish

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Prepare your franks however you like. Put the hot dogs in the buns. Layer with bacon, jelly and blue cheese, and chow down!

Chopped Salad Dog

15 ounces pack  Lean Beef Hot Dogs

1 head romaine lettuce

½ cup diced red onion

½ cup diced tomato

2 hard-boiled eggs, diced

¼ cup crumbled blue cheese

¼ cup balsamic dressing

Prepare franks however you like. Clean the lettuce and separate the leaves. Place the hot dogs into the lettuce leaves and top with onions, tomatoes, eggs and blue cheese.

Finish with a drizzle of balsamic dressing, and enjoy.

 Caramelized Onion Dog

 15 oz. pack Beef Hot Dogs

1 yellow onion, thinly sliced

4 slices Havarti cheese, cut in half

1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme

Prepare franks however you like.

Heat a well-oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the sliced onions until tender. Add small amounts of water as you go so they don’t burn. Place the hot dogs in the buns. Layer on the onions and cheese. Finish with a sprinkle of thyme.

Chef’s tip: For a fast solution for caramelized onions, look for sautéed or caramelized onions in your grocery store’s freezer

Chicago Dog

15 ounces pack Bun Size Classic Hot Dogs

1 (13 ounces) pack Ball Park® hot dog buns

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

1 tablespoon green relish

1 tablespoon chopped raw onions

1 tablespoon fresh tomato

1 pickle spear

Celery salt (to taste)

1 tablespoon sport peppers

Prepare the franks however you like. Put the hot dogs in the buns. Place tomato slices and a pickle spear between the dog and the bun. Load them up with relish, yellow mustard, onions, sport peppers and celery salt.

Here are more recipe suggestions from:  https://weekendatthecottage.com/best-hot-dog-recipes/

The I Wish We Were in Hawaii Hot Dog! Grilled pineapple, red onions, and teriyaki sauce.

The Italian-American Hot Dog! Grilled onions and bell peppers, ketchup, and pepperoncinis.

The I Wish We Were in Mexico Hot Dog! Grilled corn, cotija cheese, cilantro, and mayo.

The Chicago Dog! Pickled peppers, diced tomatoes, yellow mustard, and chopped onions

The Deli Dog. Sauerkraut, curry mustard (stir together a little curry powder + Dijon mustard), and everything bagel seasoning.

The Banh-Mi-But-Make-It-A-Hot Dog Dog. Sriracha mayo (literally just stir together sriracha and mayo), jalapeño, pickled carrots, and cilantro.

Tex-Mex. jalapinos, lime-cilantro mayo, Monterey  jack cheese, corn salsa

Country Fare. ketchup, mustard, relish, shredded cheddar, dill pickles,  beef chili-optional beans

Pizza Dawg. pizza sauce, mozzarella, sliced green olives, mushrooms onions &peppers –mixed

Bacon Mac&Cheese.bacon, mac &cheese, coleslaw, blue cheese crumbles

Sloppy Dawg.Sloppy Joe  sauce, cheese, onions and other sloppy Joe toppings optional


Suggested supplies to have on hand for impromptu hot dog nights when a quick dinner is needed, from: https://themodernproper.com/hot-dog-toppings

BBQ sauce! Any kind will do.

Chili + hot dog = chili dogs!

Baked Beans with or without bacon, mustard and ketchup

Coleslaw. A quick version can be made with shredded lettuce, mayo, mustard and celery seed

Cheese. Just cheese, any cheese. Shredded. And lots of it.

BLT Dog. Bacon, lettuce, tomato on a hot dog. Don’t skimp on the mayo!

Bacon. Just bacon. Well, maybe some mayo, too.

Sauerkraut. mustard optional

Jul 1

EASY RED, WHITE AND BLUE DESSERTS

EASY RED, WHITE AND BLUE DESSERTS

The 4th of July is more associated with fireworks than food, but ever since the Berry Flag Cake was introduced, there’s been an interest in red, white and blue desserts.  Of course other factors are that it is berry season and it’s always fun to experiment with ways to use fresh produce, especially when that produce conveniently combines into the appropriate patriotically colored presentations. I’ve written posts on the subject on June  29, 2017 and June 28, 2020. The last post has more elaborate recipes for entertaining.

This year, with socializing just returning to normal and most gatherings probably casual and/or impromptu, I thought it might be fun to look at some of the easiest and quickest to make of the 4th of July desserts. Things that capture the holiday mood without much effort and, of course, befitting the season, are cold.

The simplest recipe is a mixture of blueberries, raspberries and/or sliced strawberries topped with whipped cream or scattered over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Blueberries scattered over strawberry ice cream or raspberry sherbet, topped with whipped cream will do equally well. If you’re planning to eat away from home, say at a picnic, then the berries can travel in a container, along with a can of whipped cream or topping, in an ice chest. For serving, a package of shortcake rounds from the market, or other pastry cups will do. My favorite are cups made from wonton wraps.

Wrapper Fruit Cups: Makes 12 cups
24 Wonton Wrappers
2 cups raspberries, blackberries, blueberries or strawberries sliced
2 Tbs. melted butter
Cooking oil
Lightly oil the inside of each muffin cup in two 6 cup pans. Lay one wonton wrapper on a diagonal in each cup and lightly butter it. Butter the remaining 12 wrappers and lay them on top of the first in the cups on an opposite diagonal making sure the points form sides to the cups. Bake in a preheated 350 deg. oven for 10 min. Cool and remove from pans.

For a slightly more elegant presentation, layer the berries and the topping in glasses or goblets, ending with the topping. To add body, sprinkle cookie crumbs, flavor optional, on the topping between the layers. This can be made into an English Trifle for a crowd, by using a glass bowl and substituting a pound or angel food cake in 1 inch cubes for the cookie crumbs, beating (1) 4oz. package of vanilla or coconut pudding mix with 1 ½ cups cold milk for 2 min. then stirring in 1 ½ cups whipped topping from a 2 cup tub and layering that with the cake and berries.  Finish with the reserved ½ cup topping.

Slices of pound or angel food cake make great bases for a la Mode desserts. Incidentally, both toast well, if you want an added flair. Simply put a slice on a plate, top with ice cream and berries.  Again, for a more elegant, but easy presentation for a crowd this recipe is the answer.

Easy Berry Cake: Serves 4-6
1 purchased pound cake
8 oz. tub of Whipped Topping
1pt. box of strawberries
1pt. box blueberries
Save several nice strawberries and blueberries for decoration. Put the blueberries to the side. Slice the rest of the strawberries and sprinkle with sugar. Allow to rest for a few hours for the juice to extract itself. Just before serving, cut the cake into 3 layers. Spread first with 1/3rd of the whipped topping, spoon ½ the sliced strawberries over it allowing the juice to drip down the sides, sprinkle with some blueberries. Repeat with 2nd layer. Finish with 3rd layer topped with the rest of the frosting and garnished with the reserved berries. Can be made an hour or so ahead. Keep chilled and garnish just before serving.

Another easy cake, which travels well and is served from the pan, is a:

Crumble or Dump Cake: Serves 8-10

 2 cans pie filling—of choice*-For this occasion, use blueberry and strawberry or cherry

1 box cake mix—to fit the above choice-for this choose a white cake

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½ cup butter – melted

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 Tbs. sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour pie filling into a 9×13 inch pan. Sprinkle cake mix over. Drizzle with melted butter. Top with sprinkled sugar and cinnamon. DO NOT STIR. Bake for 30 min or until light brown   Serve warm or cold, topped with ice cream or whipped topping.

*NOTE: Fresh berries can be substituted if tossed with cornstarch and sugar as directed under pies above and simmered until the juice renders and thickens. Then proceed as above

Two desserts which require more time but are still easy to make and can be ready a day or so in advance are:

Summer Berry Pudding – Serves 4-6
2 lbs. mixed berries-strawberries sliced if large
8 oz. raspberries
¾ cup sugar
8 slices white bread
Topping of choice to serve
Cut the crusts off the bread and use it to line the bottom and sides of a 4 ½  cup. bowl, making sure there are no gaps between slices. Bring the fruit and the sugar to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about 8 min stirring once. Spoon the fruit into the lined bowl, add in as much juice as it will hold, making sure some gets around the sides of the bowl. Cover the top of the bowl with the remaining bread and place in a pan to catch juice overflow. Put a plate on top of the bowl and weigh it down with cans. Refrigerate overnight. Puree the 8 oz. raspberries with enough of the remaining berry juice.to sauce constancy. Strain and chill. When ready to serve, unmold the pudding on a serving plate, pour some sauce over, and pass the rest. Garnish with whipped cream. Serve in slices

Angel Berry Nest: Serves 6-8
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs.  flour
1 Tbs. cornstarch
1 tsp. vanilla or almond flavoring.
2 drops of white or cider vinegar
Beat the egg whites into peaks, adding the vinegar to temper them half way through, then add the
flour and the cornstarch, finally the sugar in 3 parts while beating until stiff glossy peaks form.  Draw an 8 or 9 inch circle on parchment or waxed paper. Put the paper on a cookie sheet and fill the circle, with the beaten whites, using the back of a fork to indent the center and raise the sides to form a nest.  Bake at 250 deg. for 60 min. Leave in oven for 30 min. then cool on a wire rack and store airtight for a week or more. To serve, fill the center with sliced fresh fruit or berries.

And finally two favorites of mine

Lilly’s Ice Cream Cake: Serves 8-10 This was devised when my daughter wanted to make a cake for her Dad. I forgot to prepare the pans and forcing it free broke it in chunks. Fortunately, I had a ½ gal. ice cream intended to go with the cake and was able to stem the tears with this recipe solution. It was not only a happy ending, but became a family favorite.  For the 4th a red velvet cake, vanilla ice cream and blueberry sauce*would be perfect.
1 box of cake mix, cooked according to directions, cooled and removed from the pan(s)
½ gal—Or 1.5 qt. container ice cream.
Bake the cake according to box directions, remove from pans and cool
Soften ice cream to consistency of whipped topping.
Rinse bowl or mold with water and shake out excess but do not dry. The film of water freezes and forms a protective coating on the container that makes it easier to unmold the finished dessert.
Smear a dollop of softened ice cream over the bottom of a 2 ½ quart freezer proof mold or large round, deep mixing bowl. If it has a decorative top be sure to fill it all in. Then begin to fit chunks of the cake into the mold rather like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. Be sure to separate the chunks of cake and the cake pieces from the sides of the mold with enough ice cream that they don’t stick together or become exposed when the dessert is unmolded.
Also, have a thick enough layer of ice cream on the bottom of the mold to form a firm base when plated for serving. Both cake and ice cream should be used up.
Freeze the mold for several hours or overnight.
Remove from freezer and dip the mold in a larger bowl, or pan, of hot water, for the count of ten (10). Cover the bottom with a serving plate and invert to unmold.
Serve at once or store in the freezer until needed.
Pass any appropriate toppings: whipped cream, wet nuts, sauce, fruit etc. on the side.
*Berry Topping: Yield about 1¼ cups
(1) 10 oz. pkg. frozen berries of choice in syrup-thawed
¼ cup jelly or jam made from chosen berries OR equal amount apple, mixed fruit or red currant.*
1 Tbs. cornstarch
Drain 2/3 cup syrup from berries, adding water, juice or ginger ale to make up the difference if there isn’t enough syrup. Combine syrup, jam and cornstarch in a saucepan and cook over low heat until cornstarch is dissolved and mixture thickens. Remove from heat, stir in berries and chill until serving.

Fruit Pizza: Serves 8-10
Make dough as instructed below*
If buying; purchase a roll of sugar cookie dough, not pie dough. Roll dough to fit a pizza pan, prick several times with a fork and bake as for cookies, 350 degrees for 10 to 12 min. until lightly browned, or as directions on package state.
Cool completely in pan.
*Dough
1 ½ cups flour
½ cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening
3 Tbs. + ICE water
Mix flour and sugar. Cut in shortening until it resembles peas then add water as needed to form a firm ball of dough. Chill 0 min. then roll to fit a pizza pan or to a 12 inch round.
Assembly
1 ½ lb. fresh fruit–cut in slices if necessary-exact amount depends on choice of fruit
¼ cup clear jelly –more if needed-in complimentary flavor-apple is and current are general choices
1 Tbs. water per ¼ cup jelly*
Decoratively arrange raw fruit over the crust. My favorite is a combination of strawberries and blueberries, but kiwi and peach slices work, as well as do many others. Make glaze by melting jelly in water over low heat… Boil until clear and spoon over the fruit. Chill until completely set. Optionally pass whipped cream.
*NOTE: For a thicker glaze dissolve ¼ tsp. cornstarch in 1 Tbs. water per ½ cup jelly, which is the amount I use for one of these pizzas.

Jun 28

UNIQUE RED, WHITE AND BLUE DESSERTS

The 4th of July and sweets seem to go together.  The hot summer day makes us crave something cool and refreshing-usually a sweet. Also, the fireworks are at night, dinner is over, so if we want something to nibble while we watch them, odds are we choose a dessert or similar item. This connection has sparked a whole collection of Red, White and Blue desserts, heightened by the fact that it’s the peak of berry season and they provide the perfect color scheme.

Berry ’Flag’ sheet cakes have become standard and berry pie a la mode is traditional. I’ve written several posts on desserts acceptable for this holiday; see June 29, 2917, May 24, 2018, May 16, 2019, and most recently, April 16,2020, and June 18, 2020. You’ll find more by consulting the site’s archives section, under Contents.

But like everything else this year, the 4th will be a bit different. With gathering in crowds to watch fireworks discouraged, most people will be seeing them on T.V. This opens the door to more substantial dessert options-things requiring utensils, plates, forks and spoons. So make the holiday seem special again and explore some, not harder but more adventuresome choices? A new and festive dessert could add just the sparkle the day needs.

Below are 8 dessert recipes which can light up the evening. They are not dishes you’re apt to have seen before, but not unfamiliar. Most of them only require 3-5 ingredients, come together quickly without effort and all are foolproof. I think they’ll find places in your regular menus. So Happy 4th of July!

RECIPES

Red, White and Blue Cake: Serves 10-12
1 box red velvet cake mix
Amaretto Liqueur

Filling:
(1) 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk-NOT evaporated milk
1 pint whipping cream whipped to stiff peaks
Few drops blue food coloring*
1 tsp.  Almond flavoring-or to taste
Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. container Cool Whip
Confectioners’ sugar to taste-optional –I don’t use it
1 tsp.  Almond flavoring
Raspberries and/or strawberries and blueberries for garnish
Line a 9 inch layer pan with foil. Mix until incorporated condensed milk, flavoring and food coloring*(1 or 2 drops make an attractive light blue-don’t go too dark). Fold in whipped cream, pour into prepared pan and freeze at least 6 hrs. better overnight.
Bake cake according to directions in (2) 9 inch round pans as directed for layers. When cool, using a fork, puncture each layer several times 1 inch apart and ½ way through. Lightly drizzle no more than 2 Tbs. Amaretto on each layer where punctured. Place 1 cake layer on a plate, top with frozen filling, then 2nd cake layer. Return to freezer until ready to frost.
Beat frosting ingredients together until smooth, and creamy, adding sugar if desired to taste, then frost entire cake. Scatter or arrange fruits on top to decorate. One suggestion-slice large strawberries lengthwise, leaving the tip intact and separate them into fan shapes. Use blueberries to form ‘stems’. If making ahead store cake in freezer.

Raspberry Cream Pie: Serves 8
(1) 9 inch baked pie crust-crumb preferred
8 oz. cream cheese
¾ cup raspberry fruit spread or jam
1/3 cup milk-cold
1 pkg. (4 serving size) Vanilla instant pudding and pie filling
8 oz. whipped topping-1/2 cup reserved
Red food coloring-8-10 drops
Blueberry Topping Below
Beat cheese and jam, gradually adding milk, and coloring until smooth. Still beating, add pudding mix and beat 2 min. Stir in whipped topping, adjust color if needed and spoon into crust. Chill at least 4 hr. Use reserved ½ cup topping to garnish or place a spoonful on top of blueberry topping below.

Berry Topping: Yield about 1¼ cups
(1) 10 oz. pkg. frozen berries of choice in syrup-thawed
¼ cup jelly or jam made from chosen berries OR equal amount apple, mixed fruit or red currant.*
1 Tbs. cornstarch
Drain 2/3 cup syrup from berries, adding water, juice or ginger ale to make up the difference if there isn’t enough syrup. Combine syrup, jam and cornstarch in a saucepan and cook over low heat until cornstarch is dissolved and mixture thickens. Remove from heat, stir in berries and chill until serving.

Serve in spoonfulls on top of dessert.
*For frozen bagged blueberries, place frozen blueberries with 1/3 cup water in a saucepan and cook over low heat until berries thaw, adding sugar to taste until sugar dissolves, then remove berries and proceed as above.

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Red, White and Blueberry Yogurt ‘Cake’: Serves   4 +
(4) 8 oz. containers blueberry yogurt
1 pt. fresh raspberries
2 cups vanilla yogurt
Line a sieve with 2 layers of cheesecloth allowing excess fabric to drape over the sides. Put blueberry yogurt in a bowl and stir well until the mixture is dark blue, then pour into the lined sieve, covering with fabric overhang. Place sieve over a bowl and refrigerate 24 hrs.to drain.  Discard liquid, invert thickened yogurt onto a plate and form into a thick cake shape. Wash and dry raspberries and place, carefully, individually on top of molded yogurt, completely covering it. Beat vanilla yogurt until creamy and present in a dish alongside cake. Can be made a slightly in advance, store chilled.

Tipsy Berry Parfaits: Serves 6*

2 pints fresh strawberries or raspberries
2 pints fresh blueberries
9 Tbs. Fruit flavored liqueur like Crème de Cassis or Chambord, sweet sherry or brandy
2 cups crème fraiche, sweetened sour cream or sweetened whipped cream
wash the berries well and let them dry naturally to avoid bruising. Put them into a bowl and pour the liqueur over them, add freshly ground black pepper and marinate at least 1 hr.at room temperature.  Spoon berries, then cream in layers into deep wine goblets or parfait glasses. Top each with 2 Tbs. cream and some reserved berries.
*NOTE: This mixture is also delightful as a filling for crepes, or honeydew melon halves, topped with the cream 

White Chocolate Cheesecake Squares: Yield 25

(1)12 oz. pkg. white chocolate chips
1 cup sugar
(2) 8 oz. pkgs. Cream cheese
½ cup strawberry jam
½ cup blueberry or black raspberry jam
1 Tbs. lemon juice
Line an 8 x8 inch baking pan with parchment rectangles at right angles so they don’t overlap or wrinkle. Cream together sugar and cream cheese. Melt chips stirring until smooth and add to cheese mix, stirring until smooth. Pour batter into pan and freeze, covered with wax paper, at least 1 hr. until firm. While still in pan cut into 25 squares and move to a plate with a spatula. Divide the lemon juice between the jams and melt them slowly to make glazes. Spoon each glaze evenly over half of each square or allow to drizzle in ribbons over the squares. Store chilled, not frozen.

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake: Serves 10
1 ½ cups slightly sweetened fresh or frozen raspberries
(1) 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk NOT evaporated
3 eggs
(1) 9 inch crumb pie crust
Fresh raspberries, blueberries  OR see Berry Topping above for garnish
Blend raspberries until smooth and strain to remove seeds , stir in 1/3 cup condensed milk and set aside. Beat eggs, cheese and remaining milk until smooth and pour into pie shell. Top with berry mix and using a thin knife, gently swirl it through the cheese mix. Bake in a preheated 350 deg. oven for 25-30min.until center is just set. Cool then chill at least 4 hr. Garnish with Berry Topping or fresh berries and cream.

Raspberry Souffle: Serves 4
(1) 10 oz. pkg. frozen raspberries-thawed
5 egg whites
½ cup sugar
½ cup whipping cream + 4 tsp.
2 Tbs. Chambord or other raspberry liqueur
Few fresh blueberries-optional for this occasion
Use a little of the egg white to brush the inside of 4 individual 3 ½ oz. ramkins or custard cups, then coat with the sugar. Blend the raspberries until smooth. Beat the remaining egg whites, gradually adding the remaining sugar until stiff peaks form, then fold them into the raspberry puree. Pour the mix into the prepared dishes and bake at 375 deg. for 13-15 min. until puffy.  Garnish with the remaining cream whipped with the liqueur and top with the berries.

Fresh Blueberry Cake: Serves 8-10
2 ½ cups flour
5 Tbs. butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
¾ cup milk
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon

2 cups blueberries-lightly sprinkled with sugar
Cut 4 Tbs. of butter into the flour and sugar until the texture of gravel, reserve 3/4 cup and set aside. Add eggs, baking powder and vanilla to bowl and beat batter until smooth. Pour batter into a greased 9 inch springform pan, spreading it up the sides, forming a hollow in the center of the pan. Fill the hollow with the berries, dot with the remaining 1 Tbs. butter, sprinkle over the cinnamon. Work the reserved batter until crumbly and sprinkle over the berries. Bake  5 min.in a preheated 450 deg. oven, reduce heat to 350 deg. and bake for 20-30 min. Cool 5 min. before removing sides from pan. Serve warm or cold optionally garnished with a few raspberries or strawberries and whipped cream.

Jul 4

THE ULTIMATE ICE CREAM TREAT-THE SODA

Happy 4th of July!!

Last week I talked about how perfect a food Ice cream seemed on this holiday. It reminded me that exactly one year ago, I wrote one of my most popular posts about that most iconic of ice cream treats, the ice cream soda. At one time, sodas were the epitome of ice cream confections. They were easily and quickly made, actually built, and always served at once. Unfortunately, that was probably part of their downfall. They couldn’t be made ahead and poured from a spigot for the ‘fast food’ trade. The ice cream soda disappeared with soda fountains and the white capped ‘jerks’ who manned them.

However, all homes have freezers now, ice cream is available in stores, as is a wide range of syrups. Above all, people are interested in preparing foods. There is no reason not to reinvent the ice cream soda, in a whole new variety of flavors and enjoy them once again.

So in memory of the ice cream soda, and in hopes of hastening its return, I’m re-printing my post of June 28, 2018 rather than re-writing it because I couldn’t say it any better now than I did then.


“HEY REMEMBER ICE CREAM SODAS?

I got one of those ‘Do you remember?’ Facebook messages yesterday, about soda fountains. I don’t remember them in their hay day, when Soda Jerks made coke by the glass from syrup and seltzer, but I do remember the iconic Ice Cream Soda. Nowadays, the only way we sip ice cream through a straw is with milk shakes. I like shakes but most are made from a prepared mix, not from scratch by blending ice cream, syrup and milk to a froth, as they used to be.

Sadly, sodas seem to have disappeared from popularity along with the fountains. The Ice Cream Soda was a special treat, built by hand, opulent, gleaming and overflowing the glass, served with an ice tea spoon and a straw, it took time to eat. It offered contrasts in taste and texture down to the last drop, and left you feeling satisfied, not just filled.

It always seemed the ideal dish for the Fourth of July, as appropriate to the holiday as pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving. My association is also linked to childhood memories. My Aunt and Cousin always arrived July 1st for the summer and every Friday night, they, my Grandmother, my Mother and I went to the movies and afterward to a popular ice cream parlor for sodas. Nothing tasted so good as the soda on that first Friday, which was always within a few days of the 4th.

I can still remember the choices. My cousin and I stood by our usuals, chocolate for me, strawberry for her, but the women varied their orders regularly. Grandmother liked all vanilla, or asked for peach ice cream or one scoop peach and one strawberry. My Aunt picked a chocolate soda with a ripple ice cream, fudge, caramel or peanut, because she liked the taste tweaks as she ate. My Mother chose a chocolate soda with coffee, pistachio or mint chip ice cream, creating different flavors.

Every so often, at this time of year, I used wax nostalgic and make sodas for my kids and their friends, but mine didn’t generously overflow. I wasn’t into cleaning dippy messes and something else was missing. The kids loved them and were always happy I made them, but to children used to soft-serve cones and take-out shakes everywhere, to whom an ‘ice cream fix’ was opening the freezer door, the ‘special’ magic wasn’t there.

I really would like to see the Ice Cream Soda make a comeback. Anyone can make one. All they need is an ice cream scoop and the flavor options are limitless. If my relatives could consider 11 combinations normal in those conservative food years, when Howard Johnson’s 28 flavors was thought exotic, imagine what could be concocted today. Moreover, it’s easy to create new ones with home machines.

There are also many favors of syrups in the markets now. Additionally, we may not be the basic ’from scratch’ cooks our grandmothers were, but we are adept at accessorizing our dishes and that includes making syrups. I make coffee syrup frequently for Tiramisu. Simple syrup is equally easy and can be flavored with pureed fruit and/or extracts. Lemon curd is available and it’s always possible to turn to old standbys like maple syrup or butterscotch sauce to improvise.

Then there’s the huge variety of flavored seltzers in markets today, white grape, peach, raspberry, lime to name just a few. They can provide interesting contrasts in tastes as well. Using flavored soda isn’t a novel idea either. The famous ‘Brown Cow’ was chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream and coke.

Which brings me to the ‘kissing cousin’ of the ice cream soda, the Float;simpler than the soda, it’s simply a soda pop, originally, I think, root beer, or other carbonated beverage even beer and ale, poured over a scoop of ice cream. Does anyone still remember root beer? Apparently, however, floats aren’t such dinosaurs as ice cream sodas. Guinness features one made with ale in its current recipe book.

So here’s an idea. July 4th is this week. Why not celebrate a truly American holiday by remembering a traditional American drink? You can even make a party of it, kinda like a sundae party, by offering different ice creams, a variety of seltzers and syrups, even some toppings, whipped cream, cherries, jimmies. Line up the options and let people make their own. It doesn’t have to be a large group, in fact smaller is better, but it is festive.

Just one tip; in choosing the ice cream for a soda, think twice about varieties with larger add-ins, like nuts and candy. They don’t fit in a straw, or worse, clog it, making eating difficult. I wouldn’t advise cookie cough either, not just for that reason, but the soda will partially dissolve it and, being heavy, it will sink, leaving a gummy mass in the bottom of the glass.

Happy Fourth of July all!

RECIPES

Basic Ice Cream Soda Recipe:

Single serving
20 oz. glass
3 Tbs. flavored syrup or + to taste
2 scoops of ice cream
Chilled club soda, seltzer water (Not sparkling mineral water) or other carbonated drink, cola, ginger ale or other pale soda pop.
Pour the syrup into the bottom of the glass; add about of 1 oz. soda and 1 scoop of ice cream. Stir gently around the sides of the ice cream lifting the syrup up around the scoop. Slowly add more soda to fill the glass ¾, mixing the contents gently as you pour. Add the other scoop of ice cream, and fill the glass with the soda water, creating bubbles.

It provides vitamins useful web-site viagra 100mg for sale and minerals to augment potency, libido as well as the flow of blood to the penile organ. Is it Possible to be taller after a Certain Age? at the age of 18 or after 18 the rate of growth becomes too slow. it ceases after the age of 22 or 23. so, if you have crossed viagra prices your teen age how can you gain height? we must have to know some of the useful tips on how to look after genital health during ED?. There were participants who asked Kenyans to not resort to street violence, but turn to the courts instead to seek justice, but they expressed their optimism about a peaceful resolution. cheapest price for viagra Dare we say that Kobe Bryant looks cialis prescription browse around content old and washed up? That really is the case right now the Black Samba, as he only scored 23 points on Wednesday, marking one of the central reasons that many people today can not stay married life. Basic Ice cream Float:

Single serving
20 oz. glass
1 scoop ice cream
Carbonated beverage, including beer or ale.
Fill the glass about ½ full with the liquid, add the ice cream and then pour over the liquid to fill.

Simple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Combine and heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. If it seems thin, cook to evaporate water until desired consistency.

Brown Simple Syrup:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
Follow above directions.

Coffee Syrup:
Method 1) Make either above syrup with strong coffee in place of water
Method 2) Add 1 Tbs. or to taste, instant coffee as you make it. I like Instant Espresso for flavor depth.

Vanilla Syrup:
While cooking simple syrup add from 2-3 tsp. or more vanilla to taste. This amount will also be determined by whether pure extract or imitation is used. The main thing is not to let it dilute the syrup recipe, so the length of cooking time will depend on the degree the fluid needs reducing to achieve the right consistency.

Fresh Fruit Syrups:

Examples of how fresh fruits can be used. Always store chilled. Traditionally these directions would have included straining, but I like the rustic appearance of a rougher texture.
Strawberry
Marinate sliced berries in sugar as for shortcake topping, then puree.
Peach
Method 1) about ½ cup peeled, sliced fruit and 1Tbs. simple syrup, or to consistency, pureed
Method 2) Roasted peach half(halves-depending on quantity wanted) pureed with simple syrup, if needed. Gives a more intense flavor

Blueberry
½ cup blueberries and 1+? Tbs. simple syrup microwaved at 1 min. intervals for 3 min. or until soft, then pureed.

Feel free to experiment—perhaps chopped apple, with cinnamon treated as blueberries or plums substituted for peaches. A few drops of liqueur or extract or a pinch of spice can add to the taste as well.”

Jun 21

 

 

Jun 30

4th of july recipes and food ideas

July 4th Cooking Tips and Food Ideas and Recipes for a Liberating Holiday!

I got a phone call yesterday about the 4th of July, which left me staring at the calendar in total shock. I can’t believe it’s already high summer! The past weeks have flown by so fast that it seems the enclosed four holidays have tumbled over each other. Read more