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Fourth of July Fete Menu

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Fourth of July Fete Menu

Serves 8

Countdown to the Fourth
Prepare some items in advance so the menu comes together easily.

Up to 2 days ahead:
• Make shallot butter.

Up to 1 day ahead:
• Make juice mixture for beverages.
• Prepare couscous side dish.
• Marinate beans.

2 hours before dinner:
• Combine oil and herbs for pork.

30 minutes ahead:
• Assemble cobbler.
• Light grill.

15 minutes ahead:
• Preheat oven for cobbler.

As guests arrive:
• Place cobbler in oven.
• Combine drink ingredients in a pitcher.
• Grill pork.

Watermelon and Cucumber Tonic

A reinterpretation of the familiar gin and tonic, this cocktail includes fresh watermelon and cucumber juices for a refreshing taste.

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro Photo by: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cubed seeded watermelon, divided
  • 1/4 cup mint leaves, divided
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
  • 1 English cucumber, peeled, sliced, and divided (about 3 cups)
  • 2 1/2 cups tonic water, chilled
  • 1 1/4 cups gin

Preparation

1. Combine half each of watermelon, mint, juice, and cucumber in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Line a fine sieve with 4 layers of cheesecloth, allowing cheesecloth to extend over edges; strain watermelon mixture through prepared sieve over a bowl, reserving juice mixture. Gather the edges of the cheesecloth together. Holding cheesecloth over sieve, squeeze to release the remaining juice mixture. Discard solids. Repeat the procedure with the remaining watermelon, mint, juice, and cucumber.

2. Combine 2 1/2 cups juice mixture, tonic water, and gin, stirring well to combine. (Reserve any remaining juice mixture for another use.) Serve over ice.

Cooking Light JULY 2009

Grilled Pork Chops with Shallot Butter

If made ahead, allow the butter to come to room temperature before spreading over the pork. You can also combine the oil and herbs a couple of hours in advance.

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro Photo by: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

Ingredients

  • 8 (7-ounce) bone-in center-cut pork chops
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons minced shallots
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon rind

Preparation

1. Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

2. Sprinkle both sides of pork evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Combine oil, chives, thyme, rosemary, and garlic, stirring well. Rub oil mixture evenly over both sides of pork. Place pork on grill rack; grill 6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of pork registers 155°. Remove pork from grill; let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.

3. Combine butter, shallots, and lemon rind, stirring well. Spread about 1 teaspoon butter mixture over each pork chop; let the pork stand an additional 5 minutes.

Cooking Light JULY 2009

Confetti Couscous

Serve this salad chilled or at room temperature. You can prepare the recipe up to a day ahead, but stir in the basil just before serving.

Confetti Couscous

Ingredients

  • 2 baby eggplants, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
  • 2 yellow squashes, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
  • 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into quarters
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups uncooked Israeli couscous
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Preparation

1. Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

2. Brush eggplant, squash, and bell peppers evenly with 4 teaspoons oil. Sprinkle evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Place vegetables on grill rack; grill 3 minutes on each side or until slightly charred. Cool and chop. Place vegetables in a large bowl.

3. Bring 2 cups water and broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in couscous. Reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes or until couscous is tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. Add couscous, remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper to vegetable mixture; toss. Combine vinegar and mustard in a medium bowl, stirring well. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup oil to vinegar mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Drizzle vinegar mixture over couscous mixture; toss to coat. Stir in basil.

Cooking Light JULY 2009

Marinated Summer Beans

The beauty of this summery side is that the recipe can be prepared up to one day ahead; as they sit, the beans absorb more flavor. If you don't have chile paste, use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper.

Marinated Summer Beans

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 1 pound fresh wax beans, trimmed
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon chile paste with garlic (such as sambal oelek)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Preparation

1. Add 1 tablespoon salt and beans to a large saucepan of boiling water; cook 6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain; rinse with cold water. Drain. Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, parsley, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add beans to bowl; toss well. Chill at least 1 hour, tossing occasionally.

Cooking Light JULY 2009

Berry-Peach Cobbler with Sugared Almonds

A delicious combination of blueberries, blackberries, and peaches yields a sweet, juicy dessert that's the epitome of summer.

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro Photo by: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

Ingredients

  • Filling:
  • 3 (6-ounce) packages fresh blueberries
  • 3 (5.6-ounce) packages fresh blackberries
  • 3 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
  • Cooking spray
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Topping:
  • 4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds
  • 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar
  • 1 tablespoon egg white
  • Remaining ingredient:
  • 4 cups vanilla fat-free ice cream

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. To prepare filling, combine blueberries, blackberries, and peaches in a 13 x 9–inch baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch, juice, and 1/8 teaspoon salt over fruit; toss gently to combine.

3. To prepare topping, weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, baking powder, and 1/8 teaspoon salt, stirring well. Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add half-and-half; gently knead dough just until moistened. Drop dough by spoonfuls evenly over top of filling. Combine almonds, turbinado sugar, and egg white; sprinkle over top. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until topping is browned. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve with ice cream.

Cooking Light JULY 2009

Formal Menu Top Fourth of July Fete Menu

Watermelon and Cucumber Tonic

Grilled Pork Chops with Shallot Butter

Confetti Couscous

Marinated Summer Beans

Berry-Peach Cobbler with Sugared Almonds

Cooking Light

Formal Menu Bottom

Shopping List for Fourth of July Fete Menu

Serves 8

There's plenty to celebrate with our casual outdoor menu, including tips on how you can do much of the cooking ahead.

Countdown to the Fourth
Prepare some items in advance so the menu comes together easily.

Up to 2 days ahead:
• Make shallot butter.

Up to 1 day ahead:
• Make juice mixture for beverages.
• Prepare couscous side dish.
• Marinate beans.

2 hours before dinner:
• Combine oil and herbs for pork.

30 minutes ahead:
• Assemble cobbler.
• Light grill.

15 minutes ahead:
• Preheat oven for cobbler.

As guests arrive:
• Place cobbler in oven.
• Combine drink ingredients in a pitcher.
• Grill pork.

Shopping List:

Baking

  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)

Meat

  • 8 (7-ounce) bone-in center-cut pork chops

Other

  • Filling:
  • Topping:

Produce

  • 6 cups cubed seeded watermelon, divided
  • 1/4 cup mint leaves, divided
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 baby eggplants, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
  • 2 yellow squashes, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
  • 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into quarters
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 1 pound fresh wax beans, trimmed
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 3 (6-ounce) packages fresh blueberries
  • 3 (5.6-ounce) packages fresh blackberries
  • 3 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Spices

  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 3 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Cooking spray
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Recipe List

Watermelon and Cucumber Tonic

Grilled Pork Chops with Shallot Butter

Confetti Couscous

Marinated Summer Beans

Berry-Peach Cobbler with Sugared Almonds

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Fourth of July Fete Menu
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