The US may be the land of the free and the home of the brave, but we can share in the fun on this side of the pond, too. All we need to do is turn the Fourth of July into a celebration of our ongoing cultural and social ties with the US, our special relationship, and, bingo, we have a great excuse for a party.
The Declaration of Independence – the crucial document that was signed on July 4, 1776 – is now housed at The National Archives in Washington DC. It speaks movingly of the equality of man and the rights given by God to humanity. Two hundred and fifty years later, it makes total sense.
While you string up your flags and dust off the barbecue, opening ice-cold beers and greeting pals and relatives as you go, it is worth dwelling on the hard-won liberties of the American people.
The doyenne of stateside entertaining, Martha Stewart, rightly says: ‘Everyone who celebrates should know what the heck the Fourth of July is.’ You can’t argue with that. So, this Independence Day, make sure that you and your guests positively revel in life, love and the pursuit of happiness.
We’ve done the rest for you. Here are the recipes that will set your Fourth of July party off with a bang (fireworks – favoured by 50 per cent of American households on Independence Day – are optional).
Main image: Yours/ Mary Berry
Maple-Glazed Hot Dogs With Mustardy Onions
BBC Good Food
Don’t be tempted to break with tradition and do away with hot dogs. They truly are the perfect fare for the Fourth of July. Just put some extra energy into the ones you serve. The hot dogs in this recipe will blow the minds of guests young and old. Get the recipe here.
A Cracking Burger
Jamie Oliver
Jamie Oliver has devoted many hours to perfecting the homemade burger. You can trust him. Follow these instructions to the letter – including the Jacobs Crackers and having invested in very good quality mince – and you will not be disappointed. Get the recipe here.
Royal Potato Salad
Yotam Ottolenghi
Few Fourth of July parties roll by without a potato salad on offer. This one, from Yotam Ottolenghi, is infinitely superior and even has the potential to convert the lifelong potato-salad sceptics in your garden. Get the recipe here.
Lobster Rolls
Martha Stewart
A lobster roll done well is one of life’s great pleasures. Wherever you are when you eat one, you feel as though you are at a chic beachside restaurant on America’s East Coast. (Indeed, the first recorded lobster roll was served in a Connecticut diner in 1929). In this recipe by Martha Stewart, the herbs are crucial; do not leave them out. Get the recipe here.
Crazy Sticky Ribs
Gordon Ramsay
Americans go wild for ribs on the Fourth of July and you can’t go wrong with this simple recipe by Gordon Ramsay. Be sure to cook the ribs in good time, though, as they need a while in the oven. And don’t forget to stock up manically on paper napkins. Get the recipe here.
Corn On The Cob
BBC Good Food
Corn on the cob is consumed in staggering volume at US Fourth of July barbecues – not least because it was a form of sustenance before the colonisers even arrived in the Americas. With its garlic and herbs and fat cobs of corn, this recipe literally tastes of summer. Get the recipe here.
Filled Strawberries
Martha Stewart
This pudding recipe is simple but effective and, with its red, white and blue vibe, just as pretty as a picture. Be sure to make masses: children and adults will hoover them up – and you won’t want to stop them. Get the recipe here.
Grilled Green Bean Salad With Cucumbers And Dill
Country Living
You will want to offer some greenery to offset all the other richness on the menu – but it is worth taking the trouble to elevate your offering beyond the simplest green salad. This zingy recipe, from the US edition of Country Living magazine, is lip-smackingly good. Get the recipe here.
Classic Apple Pie
Mary Berry/ Yours
Is there anything as quintessentially American as apple pie? This recipe comes from our own queen of baking, Mary Berry, and is as accessible as any we’ve found. Serve with excellent vanilla ice cream if the day is scorching. Get the recipe here.
By Becky Ladenburg
July 2021
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