July 4th Cookout & Barbecue Inspiration

Allie — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 02:13:47 +0000

Hello friends! Fourth of July is almost here. Summer’s going by so quickly. Too fast for my liking…

Hope you have fun holiday weekend plans ahead, including excellent eats and fireworks.

(In that order!)

Following is some culinary inspiration for your upcoming cookouts, picnics and barbecues. If you’re still needing ideas, read on. Hopefully there’s something for every taste, and you’ll find the perfect addition to your July 4th menu!

Caprese Mini Kabobs – marinated fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and tomatoes. Summer on a stick!

Grand Marnier Berry Salad – a fun twist on a classic berry salad!

Avocado Lime Black Bean Dip – Sweet and addictive, great with organic blue chips!

Triple Easy Homemade Lemonade – the perfect thirst quencher on a hot day!

Grilled Corn, Basil and Tomato Salad – The perfect side when grilling!

Crunchy Asian Salad – So colorful and crunchy! This is always a huge hit and this recipe feeds a crowd.

Juicy Grilled Turkey & Beef Burgers – Includes A-1 Sauce and Lipton Onion Soup Mix for a juicy and flavorful burger!

Maple Glazed Ribs – Plan ahead for these fall-off-the-bone ribs that cook in the oven on low heat for 11-12 hours.Blueberry Pound Cake – Buttery and moist, this delicious pound cake is even better with a big dollop of whipped cream.

Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia Ice Cream – Grated chocolate and fresh cherries make a refreshing ice cream on a hot day!

Stars & Stripes Mascarpone Shortbread – Individual mini-flag dessert bars are sure to be a hit on your holiday dessert table!

Lots more foodie inspiration in the Recipe Index tab of this site!

Have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend! (Ruff!)

Have you made any of the above recipes? Let us know what you made, what you liked…

Stars & Stripes Mascarpone Shortbread

Allie — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 02:37:10 +0000

Stars & Stripes Mascarpone Shortbread: So festive and fun! Perfect for July 4th, Labor Day and Memorial Day picnics and barbecues.

I’ve made different flag desserts before. And they’re fun.

But then I thought, wouldn’t it be really fun for each person to have their very own individual little flag shortbread bar?

And that’s when Stars & Stripes Mascarpone Shortbread came to mind.

The Scottish shortbread layer is thin, buttery and crunchy. Bake the shortbread first.

While still warm, cut it into 2 1/2 ” by 4 ” rectangles.

Cool, then frost with light and airy whipped mascarpone frosting.

Top with freshly picked summer strawberries and blueberries!

Stars & Stripes Mascarpone Shortbread is a fun, easy dessert, sure to please patriots of all ages!

Star & Stripes Mascarpone Shortbread

Crunchy shortbread w/light mascarpone frosting and ripe summer berries. Festive & fun! Perfect for 4th of July, Labor Day & Memorial Day.

Course Dessert

Prep Time 45

Cook Time 18

Total Time 1 3

Servings 16 bars

Author Allie Taylor

Ingredients

Shortbread:
2 cups butter
1 cup sugar
4 cups flour
Berries:
1 quart strawberries washed
1 pint blueberries washed
Mascarpone frosting:
8 ounces mascarpone
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
optional: 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin dissolved in a couple teaspoons cold water

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Beat butter until creamy.
Gradually add 1 cup sugar 'til mixtures is smooth.
Add in flour.
Press dough with floured hands into parchment lined 12" X 16" cookie sheet.
(Parchment makes it easy to lift the shortbread out of the pan after baking for easier, precise cutting.)
Bake at 375° for 18 minutes or 'til golden brown.
Remove from oven and cool for ten minutes.
While still warm, carefully lift shortbread out of the pan with the parchment paper and place on a large cutting board.
Cut into 2 1/2 " by 4" rectangles while warm.
When cool, frost with Mascarpone Frosting.
Mascarpone Frosting:
Place mascarpone, vanilla, sugar and whipping cream together in a mixing bowl.
Optional: dissolve 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin in a couple teaspoons cold water.
Whisk water and gelatin together and let "bloom" a minute or two.
Add this gelatin mixture in with the other frosting ingredients.
(Unflavored gelatin helps the light frosting hold up in the heat.)
Beat all together just until soft peaks form.
(Be careful not to overbeat or it will quickly turn into butter!)
Decorate with blueberries for stars and strawberry slices for stripes.
(I cut the strawberries in half first, then cut those into thin slices, and trim down.)
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

Notes

You'll have leftover shortbread strips after cutting into 16, 2 1/2 " by 4 " bars. (Lucky you!)

Stars & Stripes Mascarpone Shortbread is perfect served with a glass of Triple Easy Homemade Lemonade or Raspberry Limeade!

You may also enjoy: Raspberry Peach Almond Shortbread