Quick and Easy July 4th Picnic Foods

It's that 4th of July celebration time again. You need a few things to contribute to the large potluck spread that is tradition for your family and friends. Here's a few things that my family members bring along to our celebration to go along with the barbecue burgers, hot dogs and chicken.

Salad In large serving bowl toss shredded lettuce of choice, shredded purple cabbage, chopped celery, baby carrots, radish slices, sliced or chopped olives, two boiled eggs sliced or chopped, two slices of ham cut in cubes. Cover and set aside. In small containers chop or slice the following ingredients for salad additions. Sweet onions, mushrooms, radishes, croutons and cheese. Grab a couple bottles of dressings and your ready to pack on ice in a cooler.

Macaroni Salad Day before the event, cook 3 to 4 cups of elbow macaroni until tender, drain well and set aside. When cooled down pour into a large serving bowl and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Cook one or two boneless chicken breasts in water with 3 bay leaves, a few celery leaves and a half a carrot peeling intact. Throw in a pinch of salt, pepper, and garlic powder each plus a teaspoon of diced onion.. Cook on medium high until water comes to a rolling boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through. Drain, remove chicken to a plate and let cool. Refrigerate chicken. Finely chop half a small onion to get two to three heaping Tablespoons. Mix thoroughly into macaroni, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt and a generous shake of pepper, stir and cover. Set in fridge for at least four hours, overnight is best. This lets the onion juice soak into the elbows giving a subtle taste. Chop three large peeled carrots or a bag of baby carrots, three stalks of celery and chicken. Stir into elbows. Stir in 2 to 2 1/2 cups Miracle Whip to coat all. (You can use more for a creamier coating) Slice about half a dozen radishes and encircle the outer edge of the salad with them for a bright red touch on the red, white and blue day. Wrap bowl well with plastic wrap or seal with tight cover and set into chilled cooler. Keep cold until serving time.

Quick celery stick favorites Wash celery stalks thoroughly. Cut in three inch pieces. Chop 12 to 15 green olives coarsely in bowl. Mix 1 package of softened cream cheese thoroughly with chopped olives. Use a teaspoon to scoop mixture and fill the celery sticks. Place on serving dish. Wrap and set in cooler.

4th of July Watermelon What is the 4th of July without this wonderful chilled treat? Buy and wash 1 pint of blueberries and 1 quart strawberries plus a package of miniature marshmallows. A couple hours before leaving for the event skewer strawberry, mini marshmallow, blueberry until half the skewer is full. Continue with two or four more skewers. Uneven number is best. Carefully wrap and set in container in cooler. At the event slice the watermelon in half lengthwise. Cut one half into slices and set in a layered line in front of the other solid half. Take the skewers and ease then either into one end of the solid piece or into the very center in either a fan shape or with one up the highest, one lower, one lower still. This will make an edible display without the major work that can go into a watermelon fruit carved basket.

Super sandwich One or two loaves of Italian or French bread sliced through the middle horizontally, 6 to 8 slices American and Provolone or Swiss cheese, slices of ham, roast beef, salami or any cold cut of your choice. Romaine or Iceberg lettuce. Layer lettuce on bread, top with meats and cheeses. With large knife slice sandwich into 2 to 3 inch wedges. Insert a pretzel stick to hold together. It is much safer than a toothpick especially if unattended children pick this to eat. Wrap in foil and store in cooler. Slice 1 medium red onion thinly, tomato, green pepper, chili pepper, olives and other desired fillers and place on serving dishes. Place separate fillers, mustard, horseradish, mayo and Italian dressing , etc. for spreads for people to choose from. When you serve your super sandwich set on tray and garnish with parsley or lettuce and cherry tomatoes.

Have a wonderful meal as you celebrate our country!