Good Fourth of July Recipes

 What makes a good holiday? Its' recipes. For the Fourth of July,  its' ones that reflect the American culinary landscape that's ever changing. It's combining them with the produce of the season to create tasty summer dishes.

Regular contributor  and senior editor Genevieve Ko  gave an excellent array of good recipes in yesterday's New York Times Wednesday Food section.what is great about this is that it reflects the rich multi ethnicity of this country. You could easily start with the Puerto Rican churrasco. This one from Von Diaz requires skirt steaks first marinated in a mix of garlic clove, oregano, white vinegar and olive oil.Adobo seasoning is added to this for more flavor. The meat can settle in this from ten minutes to overnight.  The marinade is then shaken off right before grilling fro two to three minutes.  Since it is a thicker cut it will need to be flipped a few times for even cooking.The sauce also called wasakaka is a mix of fresh parsley, cilantro and oregano leaves ground into a thin paste. Adobo seasoning and garlic is also added to this .You can use a mortar and pestle or a food processor for this. what can go with this ? A double tomato salad (which I will be making tomorrow) is the perfect foil. It's a cool mix of fresh and sun dried toamatoes. Since' it's a barbecue side there is pasta added., preferably long and twirly ones. Torn mint, basil or arugula  are also added along with  raw pine nuts, hazelnuts walnuts or almonds for crunch.

What would be the best Fourth of July dessert? Ms Ko recommends Kim Severson's decade old peach cobbler recipe. Years ago Ms. Severson , another Food section contributor took well regarded cookbook author, Edna Lewis.s one . The crust has two(!) sticks of butter in it mixed with three cups of sifted all purpose flour. There is still lard or vegetable shortening added but only a tablespoon. It should be frozen first and then cut into small pieces.There's also sugar added too. The filling has eight cups of peaches mixed with, four tablespoons of it along with freshly grated nutmeg, sugar and salt.  This is placed between the rolled out dough, cut into discs.  Four tablespoons of butter is cur up and placed on the filling before the top is slid on.Seal the edges to create a crust and slice in a few slits to let the steam out. Bake for fifteen minutes at 425 degrees Farenheit. You could gild the lily by serving it with . whipped cream or vanilla ice cream .It's still good on it's own.

The Fourth of July should reflect all of the US. Start with the Puerto Rican churrasco and Italian influenced tomato salad. Finish with the all American peach cobbler for a true American holiday.

Taiwanese Chicken Reimagined

 One of the best street foods to come out of Taiwan is their yan su ji, popcorn chicken spiced and deep fried. Thanks to Taiwanese immigrants and their kids , the dish is being reimagined and introduced to American audiences. It's a tasty take on fried chicken , full of crunch and flavor.

Winner of the James Beard food writing award and author of The Food Of Taiwan, Recipes from A Beautiful Island,(Houghton Mifflin Publishing 2015) Cathy Erway wrote about it in today's New York Times Food section.The chicken dish is  in demand as it completes with American  and Korean fried chicken chains, the last being  popular on colleges campuses. Yan su ji also rivals the Indian fried chicken sandwich  which has it's own fan base, especially in New York City. There is also an interest in Taiwanese cooking right now with Americans curious about the island's flavors and cooking techniques. Many Taiwanese American chefs are putting their own spin on it. The chicken is being tucked into sandwiches and steamed buns, .It's served atop white bread smothered in pickles or drenched in different American regional sauces, reflecting the chefs' upbringing.David Kuo of Little Fatty's in Los Angeles has changed it up completely. He used cut quail pieces , topped with fried basil and served with a spicy mayo. There are bones for crunching on too.

Most chefs, though stick with their family's recipe. Alvin Sun of Atlanta Georgia's Java Saga uses his mother and kitchen collaborator Amy Lee's one  It is  also well guarded and a secret. Surprisingly it's not one handed down for generations. The idea began in the 1970's at  night markets around the time TKK Taiwanese Chicken was created. It was based on American chicken joints  and offered those pieces alon g with deep fried cutlets called da ji pai which is also gaining in popularity here.Families, especially kids picked up on it. Some chefs are updating it as is Erik Bruner-Yang  who is half Taiwanese He adds fish sauce and serves it on toast points, an homage to the restaurant ]s former neighbor the seafood place  Horace and Dickie's, Katie Liu Sung makes not only popcorn chicken but the Taiwanese fried style on a bun with pickles at her place Chewology in Kansas City Missouri She learned the frying technique from working at the Texas chain Church's which was also in Taiwan. Both recipes benefit from it. Ms. Erway also includes her recipe for it, You will have to buy tapioca flour for it to give the pieces that classic crunch along with Chinese five spice powder.

Yan su ji is gaining in popularity and with good reason.It's a tasty, addictive bite full of flavor and crunch. It's good homemade or from a restaurant.

Planning The Holiday

 July Fourth is less than a week away and it's time to start planning your party. Do you want a full out barbecue or something more subtle? Think and plan about what you should buy .

Most people will go for hot dogs and hamburgers. This is classic and the easiest barbecue fare. You can change it up a bit by creating your own hamburgers. This is a simple mix of chopped beef and onions. This gives the patties a McDonald's vibe. You could add a drop of Worcester sauce for a more unami flavor. Keep in mind that these homemade burgers can be as thick or thin as you want. Vegan is another way to go. Beyond Burgers offers a tasty variation to the real thing. These are great grilled and guests can  have fun piling all sorts of fixings on them. Plant based hot dogs like the ones Field offers are another fun addition. These taste even better than the real thing. They're just good with a splash of barbecue sauce on a toasted bun. If you're going the traditional July 4th route remember to have both potato and macaroni salads. An easy potato salad can be made with canned potatoes , mayo and chopped celery. Add capers for taste and saltiness.Macaroni salads can be made with either mayo or a vinaigrette dressing. The last isn't as intense or as gloppy as the first. Use a  simple olive oil and red wine vinegar mix to let the pasta and veggies shine through. Finish the meal with slices of icy cold watermelon or s'mores.

You could  also have a more sublime celebration. Think a summer picnic in the backyard. A cold roasted chicken is always a nice touch , especially if it's served with a simple salad. This last could be a mixed greens and cherry tomatoes or sliced beefsteaks and red onions. Extras can be a sliced baguette to make a sandwich with the chicken along with a bowl of green and black olives. A simple ice box cake would be the perfect dessert. Think a pound cake layered with blackberries and whipped cream served with iced coffee. Grilled London Broil is another idea that would work well.It cooks up well on the grill and is even good cold. The perfect side is tomato salad, with different kind of tomatoes dressed in a spicy oil and vinegar mix.  You could also serve a green bean salad with this along with a chickpea one. These two can also be blended together  for a tasty new combo.As for dessert think a chocolate wafer log. This is taking Nabisco's classic wafers and mortaring them with Cool Whip or if you're ambitious homemade whipped cream. Decorate with shaved dark chocolate.

It's your party . Decide what you want. It could be an exuberant celebration or a sublime gathering. Just make it tasty and fun.

Sweet Summer Treats

 What's a good way t  end a summer meal or  offer relief a hot day? Try a summer treat.It could be homemade ice cream or an ice box cake. These help when those days get sweltering and sticky.

Homemade ice cream is actually a simple male. You don't even need an ice cream maker. One that's been on my radar is Melissa Clark's vegan peanut butter. It's cooking creamy peanut butter with simmered maple syrup and unsweetened oat milk creamer. The last is what gives it body and that plush creamy mouth feel. Ms. Clark adds vanilla and sea salt too. I'm leaning towards adding a handful of dark chocolate chips too for Reese's Peanut Butter cup vibe. It's then pureed with an immersion blender and then put into a pan Freeze for four  to six hours before serving. I can see making a sundae with this,  chocolate syrup and vegan whipped cream. If you're still going the vegan route, then try the ice cream made with just frozen bananas. This is a ridiculously simple recipe that just uses four or five of the fruit. The slices are frozen overnight and then whiled in a blender. The result is a creamy treat that can be jazzed up with chocolate sauce,and sprinkles.Another cook treat is an old fashioned egg cream.This is a blend of any kind of milk with chocolate syrup. Seltzer is added for fizz and froth. Serve this in a tall glass with a straw.It's just a refreshing treat on a hot day.

People still love cake during these blazing months and one of the best is the icebox cake. Everyone grew up on the Nabisco chocolate wafer one that has the wafers mortared together with either freshly whipped cream or Cool Whip. There are some variations on this with home chefs adding mint flavoring to the cream or sprinkling the log with shaved chocolate. Slices can be served with sliced strawberries for a fancier look. You could also create a strawberry one that has the berries layered with graham crackers and a mix of whipped cream, powdered sugar and cream cheese. Sub in chocolate graham crackers for a slightly more decadent treat. You could also layer the chocolate graham crackers with ganache and whipped cream. Sub in marshmallow for the cream and you have a s'mores cake (remember to lightly toast it with a small blow torch).Frozen pound cake makes another excellent base for this type of treat. It can be sliced lengthwise into layers and stuffed with summer fruit like blueberries,blackberries or peaches.Whipped cream is also added.

There's nothing like a sweet treat to perk you up during a heat wave. It could be homemade ice cream, an egg cream or an icebox cake. They're all perfect for a blistering summer day.

A Summer Dinner Al Fresco

 With everything happening it's just nice to have a quiet dinner home. Nothing can be better than having it outdoors in the backyard.It can be a simple put together of a few ingredients or a bit more elaborate. it's a chance to enjoy fresh air and good food.

Think fresh since it's summer. A simple meal could be burrata and sliced Roma tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar(you can sub in red wine vinegar if the other is too strong) Add fresh basil leaves and serve with a good red wine. Burrata can be had at any Italian deli or you can make it yourself.It's simply cream cooked with mozzarella curds and then put into a cooked and salted mozzarella skin. It's pricked with a fork when served and all that creamy goodness comes out to mingle with the oil and vinegar.  You could also create a simple charcuterie platter ,perfect for a warm evening. Have everyone's favorites like Genoa salami and ham along with mortadella and prosciutto. If it's just two people have a small  baguette. If it's a family or friends over then have a bigger loaf along with two or three different kinds of crackers. Add Brie or any other favorite cheese like Gruyere for a couple or more for a group. Include grapes, plums and pistachios to round it out.

If you're ambitious cook but make it simple.Pasta can be wonderful eaten out of doors. Think a quick sauce such as burst tomatoes.It s smashing cherry or grape tomatoes in a saute of butter oil and garlic. The tomatoes' juice mix with the oil and blend into this wonderful sweet and fresh taste. Serve it over any kind of pasta. You can even buy pre-cooked pasta and eliminate the need for boiling it. Another easy summery sauce is salsa cruda or raw sauce.Combine sliced cherry tomatoes with red onions and chiffonaded (cut into thin strips) basil. This is made about half an hour before the pasta is boiled and left to sit on the counter. It's the heat from the cooked pasta that cooks it. Serve this with large slices of Italian bread to mop up the sauce. Of course you can fire up the grill. Leave the burgers and dogs for the family barbecue. Think about grilling marinated chicken breasts or steak. Both can benefit from a lemon olive oil marinade. Add some veggies to grill with this for a lovely meal outdoors. You could also use the grill for cooking salon too, for a lighter supper.Create packet meals where you place the meats and vegetables in a foil packet to be cooked on the barbecue grate. Have iced white wine  with this.

Happiness is a meal eaten al fresco. Make it as simple or as elaborate as you want. Enjoy the evening breezes and setting sun with great food and drink.

Food For Thought

 This blog has never really been political. It has criticized certain practices regarding how Americans eat and what they're being fed. That was it. Yet there's a need to speak out. Our country is regressing - and who knows what happens next.

I don't think the powers that be really thought about the future repercussions of overturning Roe v Wade. They might think it's a good thing saving all those lives - and in theory it is. Yet how are their mothers going to support then? Feeding them costs a fortune and the child starves if the money isn't there. There is the SNAP program which will ensure that kids can have nutritional meals.Let's hope their mothers qualify for them though. Teen age moms have very little hope of getting a good job along with an education that leads to a promising career. They won't and can't fulfill their dreams of that while taking care of a child. The pro lifers say these moms can always give up a child and have it placed in a better home. It will work for a few years when there is a need for them however a few years down the road adoptive parents will be choosy. In most cases they'll want a fair haired light skinned little one, one that doesn't have any physical or mental problems.  We will see orphanages spring up again if this overturning isn't challenged. These kids will have to be clothed and fed - and not just the gruel of that famous fictional orphan Oliver Twist.

If food has any place here it's in those pot luck fund raisers that Democrats need to hold. We need to create a large blue wave in the midterm elections. We need to get rid of the Republicans and their antiquated ideas about not just women but the Second Amendment. What we need to do is mobilize. Get the word out there, whether on social media or by foot. America needs to be a modern, progressive country , not one caught in a Sharia Christian type of law. if it requires protests, whether calm or violent to get our message across. No we , won;t resort to gum violence - that's for the other side - but there will be marches executed and op eds written. We will need fuel, that's true. That's where all those casseroles come in along with thermos of coffee and tea to revitalize us. Our strongest need is to turn this country back to what it was  with equal rights for all.We need to make this country safe for our kids and our women.

This is just the beginning of the fight. We need to challenge the Supreme Court. We need to impeach those justices who lied under oath. We need to restore this country to what it was.It is starving for equality. We need to feed that.

A Quick Masterclass In Cooking

 ANyone can be a good home chef. It just takes practice and recipes that hone and expand skills. Luckily there's np need t watch You Tube videos or get books. There's an easier way.
 

It come from senior staff editor and regular contributor Nikita Richardson who wrote the guide for yesterday's New York Times Food section. This is a must keep, especially for those who feel they need some help.I love the recipes.Some are basic like the French toast recipe (made with out the usual dash of cinnamon and vanilla) and the cheesy scrambled eggs.This is a flavorful scrambled eggs made with butter for body and flavor and shredded cheese like Montery Jack or Cheddar mixed in.It's served on plain toast, but it would be great on it's own , scooped up with a croissant or brioche.This could also make a great lunch with another of Ms. Richardson's recipes- roasted mixed vegetables. These are a wide mix of everything from cherry tomatoes  to broccoli florets to mushrooms. They're roasted with olive oil and fresh or dried thyme. There is a garlicky Greek yogurt sauce you can serve with them. If you're using thicker veggies like cauliflower and sweet potatoes  cur into three and half inch chunks and add an extra tablespoon of oil and a bit more salt for flavoring.

The other dishes are out of the ordinary and perfect for dinner and dinner parties. Try Ms Richardson's chicken with potatoes and oregano. This is roasting lemon and chicken thighs together on a sheet pan. Yukon Gold potatoes are also added  along with a good sprinkling of oregano. The juice is squeezed over the meat and potatoes. Once cooked it can be served with  more lemon wedges along with more salt and oregano. For a really fun dinner. This is a simple cheese one that can be filled with  Mexican cheese, cheddar or Montery Jack Serve it with the guacamole recipe. Again this is an easy make, made fiery with the addition of white onions and jalapenos. On the tamer side there is broiled salmon with mustard and lemon. Again this is a sheet pan meal of broiled salmon seasoned with  sea salt and pepper, then brushed with oil and mustard .It's served with a squeeze of lemon juice. vegetarians will love Ms Richardson's Vegetable Tofu Curry.This is a sauce pan meal The tofu, green beans and peas are cooked in coconut cream and seasoned with curry powder.Serve it over basmati rice.

This guide has the perfect recipes for easy but delicious dishes. You can try your hand at breakfast ones or ones for a hot lunch or dinner. They're all good for honing cooking skills.