mock pink lady

  1 1/2 c  milk
      2 tbls lemon juice
      1 tbls grenadine
      1 tbls sugar, granulated
      6 ice cubes - more if needed
 
Add milk, lemon juice, grenadine, sugar and ice cubes into blender. Blend until ice is dissolved; serve immediately.

4th of july tag

An active game for children of all ages is red, white and blue tag.  It's a fun game that is great for outdoor play. Each player is given one token that is either red white or blue. The players then run around trying to tag each other. If you are tagged then you must give the person who tagged you your token. The first person who tags enough people to get one red, one white and one blue token wins. 

asparagus grilled with lemon dip

     2 tbls olive oil
    1 lb asparagus, woody ends broken off
    Salt and freshly ground pepper

Lemon Dip:
    1/4 c  Mayonnaise
    1 tsp  lemon zest
    2 tbls Lemon juice
    Salt and Freshly ground pepper 

Preheat grill to high.

Brush oil on asparagus.  Place across grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until crisp-tender. Season with salt and pepper.
 
Lemon Dip:
Combine the mayonnaise, lemon zest, and lemon juice.  Add salt and pepper to taste - if needed. 

❏This can be added to any grilled meal.  

southwest grilled corn

• 1/3 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 6 fresh ears of corn

Directions

In a small saucepan melt butter. Stir in cilantro or parsley, salt, and ground red pepper.

Remove the husks from fresh ears of corn. Remove silks. Rinse ears; pat dry with paper towels. Place each ear of corn on a piece of heavy foil. Brush ears with butter mixture. Wrap corn securely in foil.

Grill corn on the grill rack of a grill directly over medium to medium-high coals about 20 minutes or until kernels are tender, turning frequently.


▲ This corn is great anytime the grill is going.  Try it for Memorial Day, July 4th - Independence Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Labor Day, backyard party, pool party, neighborhood party, block party or any outdoor event.

berry tart

 

Shortbread crust

	2¼	cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
		Pinch of salt
	½	cup (firmly packed) light brown sugar
	1	cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-sized slices
	2	tsp. almond extract
	3 to 4	Tbsp. water

Mascarpone filling

	8	oz. mascarpone
	3	Tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
		Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

Berry topping

	1	pt. fresh blueberries, rinse and strain/remove excess water
	1	pt. fresh raspberries, rinse and strain/remove excess water
		Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, with the rack in the center position. Line a 12-inch springform pan (or round pan of your choice) with foil to press the dough into the bottom.
2. Make the crust: Place the flour, salt, and brown sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and almond extract to the work bowl and process for about 30 seconds, adding just enough water to make a soft dough.
3. Gather the dough into a ball and place it on the springfoam pan. Dust lightly with flour, then cover with a sheet of plastic wrap. Use the palms of your hands to press it into a 12-inch disk.
4. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until lightly browned. Allow the crust to cool on a wire rack before filling.
5. Fill the tart: Mix the mascarpone, 3 tablespoons of the confectioners’ sugar, and the zest in a small bowl just to combine. Spread over the cooled crust. Scatter the berries over the filling, and just before serving, dust with confectioners’ sugar.

❇This is a great 4th of July recipe.  You can change the raspberries with strawberries or just use one fruit if needed.  You can also just use strawberries or raspberries for a great Valentine's Day or Christmas tart.  Change the fruit to make it fit any occasion in any season of the year.  This is also great for any picnic or backyard get together.

Frosty Fizzy

Juice or fruit-flavored beverage Seltzer - plain Fill an ice cube tray with a fruit-flavored beverage or fruit juice (such as Cherry juice, Blueberry juice,  Grape juice, Cranberry juice, Gatorade, Kool-Aid) and let the cubes freeze solid. Then drop three or four colored cubes into each glass, pour in flavored seltzer water or clear soda, and watch the special effects. As the cubes melt, colored bubbles will swirl through the seltzer.     ✵ This is a fun drink to make for kids and adults!  You can use specific colored juice in the cubes to match holidays.  For the Forth of July, use red and blue.  For Christmas, use red and green.  For Valentines day, use red.  Be creative and have fun with this drink recipe!

chocolate covered frozen bananas

Bananas
32 oz semi sweet chocolate
3 tablespoons butter
sprinkles, coconut, chopped nuts (use your favorite topping or a mixture of your choice)
Popsicle Sticks 


1) Take banana and cut in half.
2) Insert the popsicle stick into the cut end, pushing the stick in halfway.
3) Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Place the bananas on the sheet pan and freeze for 1 hour.
4) Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir occasionally.
5) Once the banana's are frozen take one at a time and dip it in the chocolate to coat.
6) Then roll the banana in the toppings of your choice.
7) Return the dipped bananas to the sheet pan and freeze.
8) Once bananas and chocolate are frozen they are ready to serve.

 ❒I love to make these for any summer event!  examples: Pool parties, birthdays, picnics, bbq's, 4th of July (use red, white and blue sprinkles), memorial day or just a hot summer day.