Delicious & kid-friendly recipes for the 4th of July weekend

1. Watermelon feta salad

Parker Feierbach

Serves: 4

Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 3 cup cubed seedless watermelon
• 1 cup medium cucumber, chopped
• 1 cup crumbled feta
• 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped mint
• Flaky sea salt, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt.
2. In a large serving bowl, combine watermelon, cucumber, feta, red onion and mint. Pour over dressing, tossing to combine.
3. Garnish with more mint and flaky sea salt.

Recipe by Delish

2. Grilled guacamole

Taste of Home

Serves: 12

Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 2 plum tomatoes, halved and seeded
• 1 jalapeno pepper, halved and seeded
• 2 tbsp canola oil, divided
• 3 medium ripe avocados, halved and pitted
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Tortilla chips

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine onion, tomatoes, pepper and 1 tablespoon oil; gently toss to coat. Grill, covered, over medium-high heat or broil 4 in. from heat 6-8 minutes or until tender and charred, turning occasionally. Brush avocados with remaining oil. Grill or broil avocados, cut side down, 4-6 minutes or until charred. Cool vegetables completely.
2. Chop onion, tomatoes and pepper; set aside. Peel avocados; transfer to a large bowl and mash with a fork. Stir in vegetables, cilantro, lime juice, cumin and salt. Serve immediately with chips.

Recipe by TasteofHome

3. Pasta salad

Ayesha Firdaus on Unsplash

Serves: 8

Total time: 35 minutes

Instructions:

• 12 ounces fun-shaped pasta, such as radiatore
• 8 slices thin bacon
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Dash sugar, optional
• 10 ounces grape tomatoes (yellow and red), halved lengthwise
• 1/2 pound Cheddar, cut into small cubes
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• Ground black pepper
• 24 whole basil leaves, chiffonade

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Then drain and rinse in cold water until cool. Set aside.
2. Cut the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and throw into a large skillet. Saute until slightly crisp, and then remove to a paper-towel-lined-plate.
3. For the dressing, mix the mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, salt and sugar if using in a small bowl.
4. Stir together the pasta, dressing, tomatoes, bacon, Cheddar and green onions in a large mixing bowl. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
5. Stir in the basil at the end.

Recipe by FoodNetwork

4. Shrimp rolls

Joslyn Blair

Serves: 4

Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp prepared horseradish
• 1 tsp paprika
• kosher salt
• 8 hot dog buns, preferably split top, toasted
• Scallions, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Boil shrimp in salted boiling water until opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and transfer to a cutting board to cool.
2. In a large bowl, mix together celery, mayonnaise, lemon juice, horseradish, and paprika and season with salt.
3. Chop shrimp and add to mayo mixture. Spoon shrimp mixture into toasted buns and garnish with scallions.

Recipe by Delish

5. Beer bratwurst

The Spruce

Serves: 6

Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil (or butter, divided)
• 6 bratwurst
• 1 large sweet onion
• 6 ounces beer

Instructions:

1. In a large Dutch oven, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil or butter.
2. Brown the bratwurst until they’re a deep golden brown. Do not puncture the sausages or they will become dry. Remove to a platter.
3. To the drippings, add the remaining teaspoon of olive oil or butter and the sweet onion rings. Toss the onions to coat them with the oil.
4. Cook, stirring often until onions are limp and golden, but not brown. Return the bratwurst to the onions and add the beer.
5. Cook over medium heat, turning midway through until the beer has cooked down to a syrup, about 12 to 15 minutes.
6. Bratwurst may be served on buns with the onions or as an entrée.

6. Easy strawberry tart

Delish

Serves: 10

Total time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 10 tbsp of melted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 blocks cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 lb strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 3 tbsp strawberry or raspberry preserves

Instructions:

1. To make the crust, preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add melted butter and stir until dough forms. Press mixture into a 10″ or 11″ tart pan with a removable bottom, pressing until dough is smooth. Prick all over with a fork and bake until golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely.
2. Meanwhile, make filling: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form, 7 minutes. In another large bowl, beat together cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add lemon juice and zest, and vanilla. Beat until combined. Fold in whipped cream, then spoon into cooled crust and smooth top.
3. Starting on the outside, arrange strawberries on top of tart in a circle until entire tart is covered.
4. In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat together preserves and 2 teaspoons water until warmed, 30 seconds. Brush over tart and refrigerate until well chilled, 2 hours.

Recipe by Delish

7. Tomato-basil salad

Food Network

Serves: 6 to 8

Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 pint red grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 1 pint yellow grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 16 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade, plus more if needed
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir, lightly frying for about a minute and removing from the heat before the garlic gets too brown (it can be golden).
2. Pour it into a mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly.
3. Add the tomatoes, balsamic, basil and some salt and pepper to the bowl.
4. Toss to combine, and then taste and add more basil if needed, and more salt if needed.

Recipe by FoodNetwork