Ahh, the unofficial launch of Summer:
Fourth of July, outdoor barbecues and nights lit up with fireflies and sizzly sparkler sticks. If you can, beat the heat with these festive foods that can be combined for a feast among friends or prepared individually for secret savoring.
STAR-SPANGLED BLUEBERRY PIE
Ingredients:
1 Package Refrigerated Pie Crust
6 Cups Fresh Blueberries
3⁄4 Cup Sugar
1⁄4 Cup Cornstarch
1⁄2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 Tb Lemon Juice
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400F. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Set aside. Line a pie dish with a refrigerated pie crust. Pour the blueberry mixture into the crust-lined pie dish. Bake on a baking sheet on the center rack for 50-60 minutes. While the pie is baking, cut out stars with the 2nd pie crust using a cookie cutter. Arrange on a cookie sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow pie to fully cool for 2-3 hours before adding star crust and serve!
CAPTAIN AMERICA'S PIZZA
(KID BAKING APPROVED)
Makes: 1 Medium Sized Pizza
Ingredients:
1 Package Refrigerated Pizza Dough
1⁄4 to 1⁄2 Cup Favorite Pizza Sauce
2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
25-30 Slices Pepperoni
Directions:
Preheat the oven to pizza dough’s specifications. (Have an adult help with the oven.) With a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut stars out of pepperoni slices. Set aside. Stretch or roll out your premade pizza dough on a pizza baking sheet. Evenly spread pizza sauce over the top of your dough with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce. Place the star pepperoni pieces on top of the mozzarella. Bake according to your pizza dough’s specifications. Let cool for a few minutes before having an adult help cut and serve!
PATRIOTIC PARFAITS
Makes: 4 Parfaits
Ingredients:
1 3⁄4 Cups Vanilla Yogurt
1 1⁄2 Cup Strawberries, Chopped
3⁄4 Cup Blueberries
You’ll also need tall water or iced tea glasses, or champagne flutes for fun
Directions:
To the bottom of 3 tall glasses, add equal amounts of vanilla yogurt. Add a layer of chopped strawberries to each glass. Add a final layer of blueberries.Add a sparkler to each glass, light, and serve immediately with care.
FIREWORKS FRUIT & FETA SALAD
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1 medium or 1⁄4 large watermelon,or 6 – 8 pre-sliced wedges
1 Cup Strawberries
1 Cup Blueberries
1⁄2 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
1⁄4 Cup Fresh Mint Leaves
Olive oil, salt and pepper
Fresh Lime
Directions:
Preheat the oven to pizza dough’s specifications. (Have an adult help with the oven.) With a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut stars out of pepperoni slices. Set aside. Stretch or roll out your premade pizza dough on a pizza baking sheet. Evenly spread pizza sauce over the top of your dough with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce. Place the star pepperoni pieces on top of the mozzarella. Bake according to your pizza dough’s specifications. Let cool for a few minutes before having an adult help cut and serve!
Harmony Lynn Goodson
Harmony Lynn Goodson is an editorial stylist, content creator, and contributor for lifestyle and entertaining publications. She is a photographer for local restaurants and magazines via her business, Harmony Lynn Photography. Harmony also aims to inspire people who entertain to create lavish parties with her DIY tips and tricks which she enjoys sharing on her personal blog and social media accounts.