Planning Your 4th of July Feast

Get your grub on this 4th of July!

How many people wait for this day to come? A lot of people are excited for the 4th of July for a few reasons, but one of the best is because of the spread that’s put out when people get to cooking. This is one of the days that people wait for since it’s summer, it’s warm (usually) and there’s a chance for people to come together to celebrate a time when this nation was still young and ready to see what the future would bring. But a lot of times people are there for the good times, good company, and great food. Let’s face it, summer is the time when the barbeques are lit, cleaned off, and ready to operate without hesitation whenever one feels the need. And for the 4th of July, there’s a lot of prep and a lot of need since this is the kind of day when the parties that are going to be held can clear out the meat section in a supermarket with little to no hesitation.

The food that’s usually laid out on a day like this is something that you simply can’t say no to most times, since people put enough into it to make certain that those who attend will be waddling away with full stomachs. From the grill to anything and everything that’s put on the table, from fresh fruit to grilled and raw veggies with plenty of dip and chips, treats, and all sorts of other stuff, this holiday is one of the great ones for foodies and for people that just love to cram sweet and salty stuff in their mouths since the idea is to enjoy yourself and be thankful that we live in such a great country. Plus, when you think of it, a lot of people who have roots all over the world have contributed to this great day over the years, and their culinary delights have been added to the mix as well.

Trust me, on the 4th of July there are going to be a lot of people groaning in pleasure with full stomachs when the day is done.

There isn’t really any one stereotypical 4th of July food.

Some folks would argue over this without a doubt since there are foods that feel as though they’re very typical to see on this day. But when one really looks at it, almost any food could be a great dish for the 4th since it’s not so much about the type of food that’s being used to celebrate this day, it’s the reason it’s being presented in the first place. The fact that people tend to gather on this day and have a party at one house or another, or in a park or wherever they can go, is reason enough to bring coolers full of food and all sorts of goodies along. Don’t ever feel that you need to limit yourself to one type of food on a day like this.

The color theme for the 4th is the only thing that’s typical, but that’s the point.

The red, white, and blue colors are going to be seen plenty on this day since being patriotic on the 4th is kind of the point, but having fun is what a lot of people will be focusing on. After that, the food is going to be a big focus for obvious reasons since, well, it’s one of the things that people tend to look forward to when it comes to this day. The food is one of the biggest reasons for going out on this day since the smell of the barbeque and the many other tempting fragrances that are going to wafting up from the tables will be tough to resist. This is the kind of day when plenty of people would love to be able to wander into backyards or picnics at the park and ask if they can have a bite. It’s bad etiquette if they do to be fair, but it’s still tempting.

Believe it or not, it IS possible to eat healthy on this day.

It is very true that candy and snack companies love the holidays since they use this to push as many sweet and salty products as they can while advertising less fat, less sugar, and more possible health benefits. But let’s be honest, Mother Nature is usually going to provide the best banquet one can find. But supplementing your diet with a few snacks here and there on a day like this isn’t that big of a deal.

It’s amazing how many different ways that the flag can be represented on the 4th.

After a while, it might appear that everyone is doing roughly the same thing, but the different ways that people use various foods to decorate their dishes and bring out the feeling of the 4th are still impressive enough to be amazed at the time and care that a lot of folks take. Some would likely say ‘meh’ and dig in without noting or even appreciating the aesthetic design. That’s okay, this is why a lot of people take pictures of their dishes before giving them over to the ravenous masses. At least they’re enjoying them, right?

Snacks are always a big part of the 4th of July. So is drinking.

The snacks are almost an all-day thing when it comes to the 4th since the preparation for the day can leave a lot of people waiting with anticipation for the feast to come. But it’s also a day when a lot of people are hitting the sauce with a passion that’s not exactly bad but could be kind of harmful if they’re not careful. One thing to remember about this day is that police are out in force in a lot of popular vacation spots and are looking to bust people who drink and drive. Don’t get me wrong, I like to knock a few back on days like this, but being cautious and responsible about it is better than being sorry at the end of the night. Be safe and have fun on the 4th, that’s one of the best ways to go.

You will see a few oddball concoctions without a doubt on the 4th.

People want to show how creative they can be on this day since the 4th is a great holiday to get funky with the foodstuffs. No, not that kind of funky you perverts, but I like where that idea could go. Anyway, you’ll likely see a lot of fun creations that are mostly edible and will likely be sugary or salty since people look all over for recipes and ideas that are bound to be a lot of fun for kids and whoever else wants to get in on the enjoyment.

The classics are almost guaranteed to make an appearance on the 4th.

It might sound and appear typical, but burgers, beans, iced tea, and many other foods are bound to make an appearance this 4th since they’re common staples that a lot of people can’t see doing without on this date. Some would say that they’re as American as can be, and it’s not entirely wrong, since this has been a tradition for a while now, and it’s fair to say that it will continue to be one in the years to come.

Rest assured, there are plenty of great foods to be enjoyed on the 4th.

One thing you won’t find a shortage of when it comes to the 4th are recipes that offer up hundreds of ways to prepare and cook several dishes that are pretty common but can always be improved upon and delivered in different ways that can get people excited to see what kind of culinary delights they might not have thought about initially. There’s always a chance to try something new, and a lot of people happen to appreciate this.

Let’s face it, all dishes are welcome on the 4th.

Even if there are dishes that are typical for this day, the 4th is an inclusive holiday where all dishes are welcome and all are bound to be consumed. From the simplest to the most complex dishes anyone can provide, people are going to eat, and they’re going to enjoy the day with the people they care about since that’s one of the biggest points of the day. The food is kind of a bonus that can take a lot of different forms. Believe me, in a lot of circles nothing is left to waste when it comes to a 4th of July party.

Always leave room for sweets on the 4th.

Whatever you do, whatever you eat, leave room for dessert. Even if you’ve just had the best meal ever, you’ll want to cap it off with whatever has been offered up for your enjoyment. There’s always a small pocket left in your stomach for dessert, right?

WTR? (Why’s That Radass?)

It’s easy to be honest, the food that’s a big part of the 4th of July celebrations that so many enjoy is what a lot of us look forward to each year. So enjoy, stuff yourself, be conservative with it, and do what feels best. But enjoy yourself and have a great 4th y’all.