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Fourth of July Weekend Cooking

Celebrate the Fourth!

By , About.com Guide

Fresh Corn Salad

Fresh Corn Salad

Linda Larsen
When a long holiday weekend looms in the summer, having meals planned and food in the house by Wednesday or Thursday means you can devote your weekend to having fun, whether it's at the lake, in a park, or just in your own backyard. And the Fourth of July holiday weekend is no exception. For this long holiday weekend, I've mixed recipes that need no cooking at all with those you cook on your grill, plus a few crockpot recipes. In the summer, cooking outside, using your crockpot, or simply assembling food are the best bets to stay cool. Use seasonal produce since farmer's markets are exploding with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Be sure to follow Food Safety Rules. When it's over 80 degrees outside, perishable foods (meats, dairy products) can only be left out of refrigeration for one hour, not the two hours you usually hear about. And remember, a cooler can only keep things cold. It can't chill foods back to a safe temperature, so discard that food once you get home.

Enjoy this weekend, and don't forget to fly your flag!

Saturday Breakfast

  • Texas Melon Soup
    Yes, soup for breakfast! This cool and creamy soup is so easy to make and the perfect hot weather breakfast.
  • Quick Coffeecake
    This easy coffeecake takes about 10 minutes to put together. Make it the night before and it will taste even better.
  • grapefruit juice, coffee, milk

Saturday Lunch

  • Ham and Corn Sandwich Spread
    This delicious and super easy sandwich filling can be wrapped into lettuce, tortillas, or put into sliced sandwich buns or pita breads.
  • Cobb Salad Wraps
    Use any cooked chopped meat in this delicious sandwich recipe. Let each person assemble their own for even less work for you!
  • baby carrots
  • sliced strawberries
  • Salted Peanut Chews
    These easy bar cookies seem so festive and summery to me. Try them!

Saturday Night Supper

  • Crockpot Sticky Chicken
    This easy crockpot recipe won't heat up your kitchen and you can eat as soon as you get home.
  • Fresh Corn Salad
    This beautiful and delicious salad should be made ahead of time; just pull it out of the fridge, garnish with some fresh basil, and serve.
  • purchased breadsticks
  • simple green salad
  • White Chocolate Chunk Wedges
    These easy and delicious brownies are perfect to eat while dangling your feet in a pool or stream.

Sunday Brunch

  • Southwest Crockpot Breakfast
    Just throw the ingredients in the crockpot the night before, turn it on, and wake up to a fabulously easy breakfast.
  • Orange juice, milk, coffee
  • Marinated Fruit Salad
    You can make this salad the night before too; the longer it marinates the more succulent the fruit becomes.
  • Petite Caramel Rolls
    Okay, so this recipe uses the oven. It's worth it for these fabulous rolls!

Sunday Dinner

  • Hot and Spicy Pecans
    These crisp pecans can be made a few days ahead of time; store in a tightly covered container.
  • Beer Can Chicken
    This fun recipe makes the moistest chicken you will ever eat.
  • Gazpacho
    The contrast between the crisp and tender hot grilled chicken and this easy soup is really wonderful.
  • Melon Medley
    This beautiful salad is refreshing, cool, and sweet.
  • crusty french rolls
  • Red, White, and Blue Trifle
    End your lazy Sunday with this beautiful and delicious no cook recipe.

Fourth of July Breakfast

Easy Lunch

Fourth of July Dinner

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