Cooking for Independence Day?

[Jenise]

Here's my menu:

Blue Cheese and Smoked almond guacamole, with chips
Whole soy beans tossed in bacon salt
Six racks of smoked ribs
Also smoked, 1/2 a prime brisket
Iceberg wedges drizzled with a Dorothy Lynch type dressing and brined-then-grilled radishes
Black olive and sweet pickle macaroni salad
And a few other things that, all of a sudden, I'm drawing a blank on

What's going on at your house?

Nothing at my house, but off to a barbecue at a friends tonight, and I'm hoping that today's clear sunny skies continue to this evening.

However, some of us may be celebrating a different independence day to you.......

Hot dogs and hamburgers, of course! Off the characoal grill. Also, grilled vegetable ratatouille. Scherrer 2008 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County for me, lots of fizzy stuff for the others (it's a big sugar 'n' bubbles crowd).

Then up to the roof to watch the big fireworks show. Back to the neighbor's house for desserts. She bought some chocolate cake and chocolate eclairs from a good nearby bakery so I made my pistachio gelato to go with. ((My supplier finally got crema di pistacchio back in!))

[Jenise]

However, some of us may be celebrating a different independence day to you.......

Did you vote Leave?

Cheeseburgers, and Smutty.

[Jenise]

Is Smutty a beer, Carl?

I just remembered another dish that's on my menu. An homage to the idea 'what would July 4th be without watermelon?', I've cut 1.25" squares from the heart of the melon and will skewer a pair of sriracha-marinated grilled shrimp vertically to each one, then spritz them with a cilantro vinaigrette.

[Robin Garr]

We're going out for Indian dinner. Does that count?

[Jenise]

It will if you order a mint julep lassi.

[quote="Jenise"]Is Smutty a beer, Carl?

It is slang for a Smuttynose Finest Kind IPA made just south of here in Hampton, NH. It is named after Smuttynose Island part of a island chain called Isles de Shoals, just off Portsmouth. They were named by French explorer Champlain whom the lake between New York and Vermont is named after. He just discovered, named them, and went on. The beer is nationally distributed, and it is my go to one for the summer.

[Robin Garr]

It will if you order a mint julep lassi.

Eeeuuuwww.

Although "julep" actually comes originally from the Hindu "gulab," which means "flower-scented water" or specifically "rose water," so there's that Indian connection.

I hosted a picnic for three of my sons, with their SOs and kids and Mary Jo. I made BBQ Wings using Chef Carey's recipes for dry rub and sauce. Also hot dogs and cheeseburgers, corn on the cob, cold roast beef wrapped around dill pickles. The rest of the food was pot luck - pasta salad, potato salad, green salad, 4 melons, guacamole w/chips, brownies and cookies. Good meal. The wings were a hit.

We had the celebration viewing and dinner aboard our boat neighbor's boat (a tall powerboat). Contributions from 4 couples: Smoked grilled pork ribs, prime ribeyes grilled and sliced, Vietnamese spiced seared asparagus over basmati rice, kitchen sink salad (better than it sounds), home baked chocolate chip cookies. Lots of wine, mostly domestic. The Queen Mary/Long Beach show was the best one EVER. Probably a new and more innovative supplier for the show.