As she waves freely in the breeze it is time to celebrate her for July 4th is approaching fast. In the years I have created some great patriotic treats and desserts for the 4th of July celebration that can offer others ideas on how to serve their treats and desserts as well. Below are a couple fun and healthy ways to enjoy the after feast of that 4th of July barbecue.
‘The Flag Waves : Watermelon Art’
Take a watermelon and cut lines in it from top and halfway down. It will appear somewhat like this llllll in cuts.
From the center to the tops, easily cut off the green of the watermelon so that the bottom is still shelled in its casing, just not the top.
Cut the bottom between two cuts but skip the next yet start with the outside cuts like this _l l_l l_l l_l l_ so that you can slowly pull up the top part of the watermelon showing towers of watermelon. You take the top water melon and place it aside.
You then take bananas and cut them in long form and thin enough to fit between the slits of the watermelon. You fill the slits up with bananas and use a knife and a cup of water to smooth the edges so that they appear to be skipping each watermelon tower.
Red, white but what now for blue? A nice easily placed blueberries would fit on a corner of that watermelon flag and since blueberries may roll off, it is better to use a strawberry preservative to keep them intact. With these ingredients mixed, it is a fruit lovers paradise.
‘Patriotic Cooler’
Frozen treats are great for the summertime so creating a patriotic one should be not only fun but tasty. When creating this next idea one must give themselves at least five hours for this to complete.
Get and ice tray and cut pop sickle sticks in half.
Make blue colored tropical punch flavor cool-aid which is sold at most grocers and make cherry flavored cool-aid which when frozen still maintains most of the red coloring.
Place the blue on the bottom of the trays and let that freeze completely which should only be an hour or so.
After that has cooled, pour in the cherry cool-aid on top and let that freeze.
While your ice is freezing, get out some vanilla ice cream, milk and the mixer. It is time to make a holiday milkshake that remains cold and tasty. Take a couple scoops of ice cream and place them in the mixer then put in half a cup of milk and mix until the texture is thick. You may have to add more ice cream depending on the thickness.
Once you have created the shake, it is time to get out those ice cubes again. Run warm water under the trays to loosen up the colorful ice cubes and place them inside of clear, see through glasses. Pour the milkshake over them and throw in a straw and plastic fork.
You have just created a fun patriotic treat for the whole family! Another good idea is when you use the mini short cakes like the ones for strawberry short cakes. They are tiny and you can do much with them. Let me share what we have done.
‘Shells in July’
There is no listing since it is quite easy to explain. All you do is spread peach preserves in the center of the cake and place chopped nuts of your favorite kind on top of it. It gives the appearance of a shell if done properly which means having your nuts go in the same direction or pattern. We were surprised that some guests actually commented on that being their favorite, who would have guessed.
‘Coconut Clusters’
You also have the coconut clusters. Another simple fun treat. Again as simple, take a coconut and cut it in half. Take out the inside fillers and use it as a bowl for tropical fruit and place a patriotic umbrella in it. What a great idea! No matter what you fix, it is sure to be a hit when you use that creative mind. Good luck and have a wonderful 4th of July.
