Fourth of July Food Fun Round Up

The fourth is a great excuse to indulge in some of the summer’s best foods. All the freshest produce seems to be in season and the citrus-y, sparkling cocktails are never in short supply. Here’s a look at some of the seasons best eats for this weekend and beyond. Happy munching!

Festive Fourth Drink Toppers Photo courtesy of CasaSugar.com

Sure you can serve drinks at your Fourth of July barbeque, but you’ll want to make them as festive as you can. Serve up your favorite cocktail in cute mason jars (available at your local craft or discount store). Then, cut out pineapple shapes with a star cookie cutter and add blueberries and strawberries. Thread onto a skewer and use as the cutest little drink topper in town.

Red, White and Blue Sippers Photo courtesy of TheIndependenceDay.com

Your eyes are not deceiving you. This beverage with a kick (yes, it’s alcoholic) is made with three different drinks that naturally separate – sprite, vodka, Gatorade, and punch. Serve in individual cups or in a big pitcher as an instant center piece.

Star Spangled Brunch Photo courtesy of Cremedelacrumb.blogspot.com

Just don’t serve regular old waffles on the fourth, make them something special with the addition of summertime fruit. Use bananas, strawberries and blueberries to make the pattern of the American flag. Betsy Ross would be proud.

Pretty Patriotic Cupcakes Photo courtesy of InspiringPretty.com

Calories totally don’t count over holiday weekends, so go ahead and indulge in these bright and bold cupcakes. White cake with cream cheese frosting is rounded out with pretty fruit designs. While you’ll be able to whip them up in a snap, you can tell your guests you spent all day slaving over these beauties.

Red and White Salad Photo courtesy of Examiner.com

Tomatoes are not only abundant this time of year, but they are usually always on sale. Stock up on some heart beef steaks or heirlooms to make the perfect tomato tour complete with feta cheese and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic. Top it all off with micro greens, sea salt and fresh ground black pepper.

Spicy Jalapeno Sliders Photo courtesy of DealstoMeals.Blogspot.com

One cannot exist on sweets and cool cocktails alone, so take a bit of something a little more substantial with these Spicy Jalapeno Slides. Ground sirloin, bacon, cheddar and a spicy jalapeno popper are combined for the perfect bite.

Moms, what will you be cooking up this weekend and beyond?

Meet the Author | Christina Montoya Fiedler

Christina Montoya Fiedler is a Los Angeles native - born and raised. Before becoming a mom, and writing for various parenting sites so she could be home full time with her son, she was a publicist representing environmentally progressive architects and contractors - one of whom just finished building a home completely out of parts from a Boeing 747. Now that's cool!