Quick and Easy Dinner and Snack Recipes for July 4th!

Having guests for July Fourth? Whether you are planning full meals or finger foods and snacks, here are some recipes that will make your day easier and please the crowd. Some of these recipes can be made up a few days before the 4th to free your day for fun and games with family and friends.

BARBECUED PORK CHOPS
About 8 pork chops
1 onion chopped
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup tomato catsup
1 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
1 stick of butter
1 to 2 cups brown sugar

Mix all ingredients, cooking over low heat until butter melts. Make sauce a day or two ahead and store in refrigerator.

Choose center cut or boneless pork chops. Trim off most of the fat. Wash meat and dip in salt water. You can bake these in the oven, or grill them outdoors.
For oven:
Place chops in shallow pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Bake at 350 degrees for about five minutes. Remove and spoon some sauce over chops. Continue cooking for about five more minutes, turn and add more sauce. Cook for about ten minutes more or until juices run clear.
For grill:
Spray chops on both sides with cooking spray to reduce sticking to grill. Place chops on hot grill (about 350 degrees), and cover lightly with sauce. After about three minutes, turn and add sauce. Cook for about three minutes and turn again. Add more sauce and cook for about ten more minutes until no longer pink inside.
*This sauce is also great on chicken pieces or breasts.

SWEET MEAT LOAF
3 lbs lean ground chuck or ground round
1 can tomato sauce
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 cup brown sugar
2 TBSP prepared mustard
1 cup water

Mix meat, onion, salt and about one half of the tomato sauce. Shape into a loaf and place in 9x13 baking pan sprayed with cooking oil.
Mix remaining tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard and water. Pour over meatloaf. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour, basting frequently with sauce.

FRIED CORN
1 or 2 packages of frozen corn
1/2 cup milk
1 stick of butter
1 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
1 TBSP sugar

Mix all ingredients in large skillet. Cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted and milk is absorbed. Serve hot.

GOOD GREEN BEANS
2 cans French style green beans
1 small onion cut into slices
1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup sugar

Mix all and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes.

SAVORY CHICKEN SALAD
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
1/2 to 1 cup of chopped celery
1 to 2 cups of red seedless grapes cut in half
2 TBSP minced fresh or 1 tsp dried tarragon
Dash of salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1/2 cup Miracle Whip (More may be added if mixture is dry.)

Mix all ingredients. Can be chilled for two or three days before using. Just before serving, spread on cocktail buns or bread. Makes about 12 sandwiches.

RED, WHITE & BLUE JELL-O SALAD
1 package (3oz) Red Jell-O
1 package (3oz) Blue Jell-O

Mix Jell-O according to directions. Spray an 8x8 in dish with cooking spray. Pour in about half of the blue Jell-O. Chill until firm. Add about half of cooled, red Jell-O and chill until firm. Continue to layer in like manner. Just before serving, cut into squares and add a dollop of Cool Whip to each square. Makes about 9 servings.

RED PARTY JELL-O
Mix together with mixer:
1 cup boiling water
1/3 cup sugar
1 (3oz) package Strawberry or Cherry Jell-O
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 (8oz) Philadelphia Cream Cheese
2 cups chopped fresh strawberries, or one package frozen strawberries
1 (8oz) Cool Whip.

Chill until firm and serve.

CHUNKY POTATO SALAD
10 medium potatoes
3 eggs
3/4 cup cucumber relish
1 to 1 1/2 cup Miracle Whip
3 TBSP Celery Seed

Boil potatoes and eggs. Chop potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes. Chop eggs. Add all ingredients. Chill. Makes about ten to twelve servings.

PARTY CHEESE BALL
3 (8oz) packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 can crushed pineapple
1 cup chopped sweet green peppers
1/4 cup chopped onion or 1 TBSP minced onion

Mix all. Form into a ball. Roll in chopped nuts or chopped fresh parsley if desired. Chill. Serve with crackers.

Quick snacks are a must, especially if there are teens or children present. Try a few of these.

CHILD-SAFE CARAMEL CORN
1 package of seedless, no husk corn puff type snacks (plain, not cheese flavored)
2 sticks of butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup peanut butter

Boil butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and peanut butter for 2 to three minutes. Add 1/2 tsp baking soda, stir and quickly pour foaming mixture over the corn puffs. Mix well. Place on large, cookie sheet sprayed lightly with cooking oil. Bake in 250 degree oven for about 50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from oven and pour out onto waxed paper. Cool and break apart.

QUICK-FIX PIZZA SNACK
3 tubes refrigerator biscuits
1 to 2 cans pizza sauce
1 package pepperoni slices
1 can chopped mushrooms
1 package mozzarella cheese

Flatten each biscuit and place on greased cookie sheet. Top with 1 tsp pizza sauce (or more to taste), 1 slice pepperoni, a few mushroom pieces and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 5 - 8 minutes at 350 degrees, or until biscuit is done around the edges and mixture is bubbly. Makes 30 snacks or appetizers. Make ahead and store in refrigerator. Pop into the microwave for a quick snack.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla flavoring
1 3/4 cup Better for Bread flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 (12oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup nuts (optional)

In a large bowl, cream together shortening, butter and sugars. Mix in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, and baking soda. Add to shortening mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are golden brown.

Whatever your plans for July Fourth, make your day easier with quick and easy recipes.

***All recipes are original, modified, recipes from the collection of Anna Rae Manges.



By Neena