Celebrating America's Ethnic Roots

 THis Fourth of July celebrate the many centuries of immigrants that contributed to America's culinary table. Try different and new dishes and spices for a truly memorable American feast. The recipes are varied but all are delicious.

Yes you could have the German based hamburger and hot dogs. These are always fun but how about celebrating Middle Eastern immigrants culinary contribution - the kebab. These are easy to make on the grill.  It's just taking cut up chicken breasts and alternating them with grape or,cherry tomatoes, onions and peppers. You can marinate the meat in lemon for more flavor. Shrimp can also be used for an even tastier variation.Kabobs can easily made vegan with just having the veggies and omitting the meat. Tofu can also be part of the kabob. Marinate in Middle Easter spices like turmeric and sumac.Look to our Caribbean community for another barbecue must cook. Jerk chicken is a great addition to any outdoor party,It''s marinating or rubbing legs and wings with a combination of soy sauce, nutmeg, allspice and Chinese five spice powder. All of these symbolize the various ethnicities that make up the Caribbean.Marinate the meat overnight in this. You can also create jerk pork and lamb along with beef. Even shrimp can have that spicy , smoky flavor.

What about sides? Here look to the people who originally fed America -the indigenous tribes.Corn is an important part of any Fourth of July cookout.If you want moist, juicy kernels then soak int ears in their husks in water from half an hour to six to seven hours overnight. You can turn them into Mexican street corn by adding a sauce made of mayo, Mexican sour cream(or the america one if you can;t find the Mexican one) garlic ,lime zest and cilantro. Another indigenous staple was beans, A bean salad is always a welcome side when you eat out doors. Try a three bean type but add different spices. You could give it an Asian vibe by adding some soy sauce to the vinaigrette along with some freshly shredded ginger. Oregano  garlic and red wine vinegar will give it an Italian spin. Italy does give us pasta and it can be fun to create a pasta salad but think more Italian. A panzanella or bread salad from Naples is perfect .Mix ripe thinly sliced  San Marzano tomatoes with chunks of Italian bread and olive oil.YOu could add chopped red onion of you want more flavor along with garlic. Olives and mozzarella chunks can also be added for more weight. This is also good as a leftover for the next day.

America is a marriage of the indigenous and foreign. The same can be true of our cuisine. Try some of the recipes for this  truly American holiday.