Feed Your Hungry Guests with These Easy Quick 4th of July Recipes

Do you have guests coming over for the holiday but you spent too much time shopping for fireworks? Here are some quick and easy recipes that are sure to please your hungry crowd.

Raspberry Spritzers

This refreshing punch is easy to make and wonderful to drink. You better have extra drinks because once your guests taste this festive red drink it will go fast!

10 ounces raspberries (fresh or frozen)
1 12 ounce can frozen cranberry juice cocktail concentrate (thawed)
1 12 ounce can frozen pink lemonade concentrate (thawed)
2 two liter bottles ginger ale (chilled)

Process raspberries in a blender until smooth. Strain and discard seeds.

Combine puree with juice and lemonade concentrate in a 1.5 gallon container.

Stir in ginger ale right before serving.

Makes 5 quarts.

You can easily turn this into Raspberry Daiquiri Spritzers by adding rum to the mixture or Raspberry Margarita Spritzers by adding tequila.

Easy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Everything goes into the food processor, blend, chill and enjoy!

2 cloves minced garlic
1 15 ounce can garbanzo beans, drained
1/3 cup tahini
1/3 cup lemon juice
? cup roasted red peppers
? teaspoon dried basil

In a blender or food processor, combine garlic, garbanzo beans, tahini and lemon juice.

Add roasted peppers and basil.

Process until the peppers are finely chopped.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cover and chill until you are ready to serve.

Serve with pita bread or pita chips.

BBQ Sandwiches

This is a favorite easy recipe taken from Southern Living's Easy Weeknight Favorites cookbook. It is great for a party, tailgate, or a simple dinner.

1 (2 pound) boneless chuck roast, trimmed
2 medium onions, chopped
1 12 ounce can cola flavored beverage
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 ? tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 ? teaspoons beef bouillon granules
? teaspoons dry mustard
? teaspoons chili powder
? to ? teaspoons ground red pepper
3 cloves minced garlic
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
6 hamburger buns

Place roast in a 3 ? to 4 quart slow cooker; add onion

Combine cola and next 7 ingredients

Cover and chill 1 cup sauce.

Pour remaining sauce over roast.

Cover and cook on high 6 hours or low for 9 hours or until roast is very tender.

Remove roast with chopped onion from cooker with slotted spoon and stir meat with 2 forks.

Combine reserved sauce with ketchup and butter in a sauce pan and cook over medium heat until thoroughly heated.

Pour sauce over shredded meat, stirring gently. Spoon mixture onto buns.Makes 6 servings.

Beer Brats

10 bratwurst
1 large yellow onion
2 Granny Smith apples
2-3 12 ounce bottles of beer

Heat grill to medium heat.

Place the bratwurst in a heavy-duty foil pan.

Peel the onion and trim off the ends. Slice the onion in half and then slice it into 1/8 inch slices. Arrange the slices over the brats.

Core the apple and cut in half. Then cut into 1/8 inch slices and arrange over the brats and onions.

Pour the beer in the pan until the contents are covered.

Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve on buns with mustard, sauerkraut, or your favorite toppings if you don't like sauerkraut.Makes 10 servings.

Soft & Chewy Chocolate Oatmeal Brownie Drops

These delicious desserts are easy to make and popular with your family and/or guests. They are great with some homemade ice cream or a cold glass of milk.

1 large box (22.5 oz) brownie mix (using 2 eggs and vegetable oil)
1 ? cups uncooked oats (regular or quick)
1 cup of walnuts or pecans if desired
? cup powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350? F.

Mix all ingredients (including oil and eggs called for by box mix) until well blended. Cover and let stand 30 minutes so that oats can absorb liquid.

Drop rounded tablespoons onto lightly greased baking sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes until tops look crackled and satiny. Remove with spatula and cool on a wire rack.

Lightly dust with powdered sugar.

Makes approximately 32 cookies.

Chocolate Crock Pot Cake

Using the crock pot keeps the kitchen clean and minimized the work for a delicious dessert that your guests will love.

4 chocolate cake mix
? cup vegetable oil
1 pint sour cream
4 eggs
1 box chocolate instant pudding
1 cup water
6 ounces chocolate chips

Spray crock pot with cooking spray.

Place all the ingredients, except chocolate chips, in a large bowl and mix well.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour into crock pot and cover with lid. Do not lift lid while cooking.

Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours depending on size of pot. Serve warm with ice cream.

Makes approximately 8 servings.



By Mick Donovan