The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. I have such great memories of 4th of July parties at my house growing up with the family. Mom's potato salad, Uncle Jeff's beans, dad's brats, Aunt Candy kicking instead of hitting the volleyball, Uncle Tony's fireworks, and grandma and grandpa.This 4th we are having neighbors over and I made a slew of all american sweets. First, I attempted to make an apple pie. I bought the crust, but I made the apple filling. It was a recipe from Bobby Flay:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/apple-pie-recipe/index.html
Kids loved taking the extra crust and making cinnamon sugar pie babies in the oven. I made a festive star pattern on top. I also made some white chocolate treats. I did red, white, and blue strawberries. This recipe is all over the internet now. I always have a problem dipping into chocolate. I have a hard time getting the excess off. They are cute, but probably will not make them next year. But, my little chocolate hang up created a whole new idea.....Chocolate Fireworks. In the leftover chocolate i mixed in a few handfuls of pretzels, and colored jimmies. Than, I spooned them onto waxed paper to dry, Voila.....fireworks!I cannot ever recreate mom's potato salad or Jeff's bean, but I can make this holiday my own now and create memories for the kids and new memories for myself based around great neighbors, independance, and (of course) food!
