2 Quick and Easy Fourth of July Recipes

Cucumber & Onion Salad

This is a family favorite and is a great accompaniment for any Fourth of July meal. Making it ahead makes this a quick and easy 4^th of July recipe. Cucumber and onion salad is a cool vegetable treat that every family member will enjoy.

Ingredients:

Vinegar
Water

1 tsp Sugar

2 or 3 Cucumbers

1 Red Onion

Instructions:

Dilute vinegar slightly. Mix vinegar and sugar together. Stir until all sugar granules are dissolved. Clean and peel the cucumbers leaving some of the green skin on. Clean and cut off ends of the red onion. Now slice the cucumbers and red onions. You don't want them sliced too thin but not too thick either. Place the sliced cucumbers and onions into a bowl and cover with the sweetened vinegar. Cover and refrigerate. (Best if refrigerated overnight.) Pour off some of the vinegar before serving.

Broccoli Salad

After trying a similar salad at a buffet style restaurant I decided to try making it my way at home. I have tried many variations of this type salad and find my family likes this recipe best. This recipe is a good cool and crunchy accompaniment to a 4^th of July barbecue.

Ingredients:

Big bunch of broccoli crowns

¼ cup Sunflower Seeds

1 cup Shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese

½ cup raisins

4 Green Onions chopped

Kraft Ranch Dressing (or your favorite brand)

Instructions:

Wash and cut the broccoli crowns into bite size pieces. If you wish to the use stalks clean and peel the outer skin and chop the softer inside meat of the stalk into pieces. Toss together the broccoli, sunflower seeds, and chopped onion. Cover and refrigerate. Just before serving toss in the shredded cheese and raisins. Add about ¼ bottle of ranch dressing to the mix. Stir and add more if needed. Broccoli salad should be coated in ranch dressing but not swimming in it. You may use mayonnaise if you prefer but do use some ranch dressing for the taste.

With quick and easy Fourth of July Recipes the whole family can be involved with meal planning and preparation. May you all have a safe and happy 4^th of July!!