4th of July Last Minute Round-Up

 

Berry Caprese Salad
A fun festive salad and the balsamic drizzle is just the needed piece de resistance especially when you use a chocolate balsamic. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups halved strawberries, stem removed
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 cup fresh blackberries or watermelon cubes
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls or 1-1/2 cups cubed mozzarella
• 1/4 cup basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Drizzle of dark quality balsamic glaze or chocolate balsamic

Directions:

• In a large bowl, combine berries, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle with olive oil and gently stir. Drizzle balsamic glaze over the salad and serve immediately.

4th of July Charcuterie Board 

A board loaded with lots of possibilities to get you started 
Ingredients 

• Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries.
• Favorite crackers, flatbread crackers with rosemary.
• Boursin cheese
• Jarlsberg cheese dip + Jarlsberg cheese
• Brie cheese
• Cured meats
• Red licorice 
• Blue corn chips
• Picco de gallo.

Cherry  Margaritas

The recipe makes one glass.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cherries pitted and mashed or 2 oz fresh cherry puree
• 1 oz. simple syrup
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• 3/4 oz. Cointreau
• 1- 1/2 oz. tequila
• Lime wedge for garnish

Directions:

• Combine the zest of one lime with several teaspoons of rock salt.
• Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass. Dip into the zest salt mixture.
• Fill the glass with ice.

• In a cocktail shaker mash the cherries with the simple syrup and lime juice. Add the other ingredients and shake to combine.
• Pour into prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Buttermilk Brownies

Cook's notes: Using coffee instead of water adds a depth of flavor to the brownies. Recipe from food.com
Brownie Ingredients:

• 2 sticks of softened butter
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dark Hershey)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup of water or 1 cup of brewed coffee
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (it amplifies the chocolate flavor) 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2 slightly beaten large eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup chopped walnuts 
• Optional 1 tablespoon Kahlua

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons buttermilk
• 2 1⁄4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Optional

• Sprinkle crushed nuts over frosting 

Brownie Directions:

• Grease a 13 x 9 pan.
• In a saucepan combine butter, cocoa, 2 cups sugar, and 1 cup water or coffee.
• Bring to a boil; stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, blend together flour, soda, and salt.
• In a small bowl combine buttermilk, eggs, Kahlua, and vanilla; whisk lightly with a fork.
• Pour buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients; mix until smooth.
• Add the cocoa mixture gradually with the mixer on low setting.
• Mix until well blended (flour and buttermilk mixture will be thick and likely need to be scraped from sides of the bowl to blend thoroughly). Fold in nuts if using.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 18- 22 minutes. Test with a toothpick for doneness.
• Cool on a wire rack.

Frosting Directions: 

• In a saucepan, mix 1/4 cup butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, and 3 tablespoons buttermilk.
• Whisk and stir until boiling (mixture will be slightly curdled); remove from heat.
• Beat in 2-1/4 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla and 1 tablespoon Kahlua if using. Add more buttermilk as needed for frosting consistency. Pour frosting over brownies and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
• Decorate with sprinkles and a flag.

Cupcake Topping Idea

Make a batch of cupcakes and frost with white frosting. Decorate with licorice strips and blueberries. 

Other festive Ideas

Make your own sundaes

Waffle cones filled with yogurt and fresh fruit

Ever Ready will be

will resume blogging on July 5th. Have a safe holiday.