Lifestyle /
4th July Favourites: America’s Top 5 Recipes
Plan your Fourth of July picnic or cookout with some of our favorite burgers, fries and perfect lemonade. Add a pinch of garam masala or green chutney to add the desi South Asian flavors to enjoy America's Independence Day!
Hamburger with Double Cheddar Cheese
Ingredients
2 pounds freshly ground chuck
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices white Cheddar, sliced 1/4-inch thick
8 slices yellow Cheddar, sliced 1/4-inch thick
8 hamburger buns
Horseradish Mustard, recipe follows
8 leaves Romaine Lettuce
Dill pickles, sliced
Ketchup
Directions
Preheat grill or a cast iron skillet to high.
Divide the beef into 8 (4-ounce) burgers. Season on both sides with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill or cook in the skillet for 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare doneness. During last minutes of cooking add 2 slices of cheese to each burger, cover grill and let melt, approximately 1 minute. Place burger on bun and top with Horseradish Mustard, lettuce, Grilled Onions, pickles and ketchup.
You can also grill eggplants add garam masala, ground coriander, ground cumin and 1/2 tsp. red chili powder or cayenne pepper for the vegetarians out there.
Hot Dogs
Ingredients
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium jar ketchup, about 2 1/2 cups
1 teaspoon chili powder2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 all-beef hot dogs (recommended: Ball Park)
4 hot dog rolls
1/2 cup grated Cheddar
Directions
Put a skillet over medium heat and drizzle in a 2-count of olive oil. When the oil gets hazy, add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until it is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with the back of a spoon, and cook until nicely browned, about 10 more minutes. Stir in the ketchup, chili powder, and mustard and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
While the chili is cooking, get the grill going. Place a large grill pan on 2 burners over medium-high heat or preheat an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue and get it very hot. Take a few paper towels and fold them several times to make a thick square. Blot a small amount of oil on the paper towel. Then carefully and quickly wipe the hot grates of the grill to make a nonstick grilling surface.
Bring a pot of water up to a simmer and parboil the dogs for about 5 minutes. Take them out of the water, pat them dry, and grill them just long enough to mark them. (That'll give them a grilled flavor too.) Brush the insides of the rolls with olive oil and lay them face down on the grill; cook until toasty. To serve, put a dog in each roll and top with the chili and some Cheddar.
Add green mint chutney to add a desi twist.
French Fries
The average American eats 53 pounds of potatoes a year – slightly more than two pounds a week, mostly fried or mashed. Not that much, at first sight. However, nutritionists blame the obesity epidemic sweeping the States on this product.
Ingredients
4 large russet or kinnebec potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 by 1/4-inch thick batons
2 quarts peanut oil
Salt and pepper
Directions
Rinse cut potatoes in a large bowl with lots of cold running water until water becomes clear. Cover with water by 1-inch and cover with ice. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days.
In a 5-quart pot or Dutch oven fitted with a candy or deep-frying thermometer, (or in an electric deep fryer), heat oil over medium-low heat until the thermometer registers 325 degrees F. Make sure that you have at least 3 inches of space between the top of the oil and the top of the pan, as fries will bubble up when they are added.
Drain ice water from cut fries and wrap potato pieces in a clean dishcloth or tea towel and thoroughly pat dry. Increase the heat to medium-high and add fries, a handful at a time, to the hot oil. Fry, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are soft and limp and begin to turn a blond color, about 6 to 8 minutes. Using a skimmer or a slotted spoon, carefully remove fries from the oil and set aside to drain on paper towels. Let rest for at least 10 minutes or up to 2 hours.
When ready to serve the French fries, reheat the oil to 350 degrees F. Transfer the blanched potatoes to the hot oil and fry again, stirring frequently, until golden brown and puffed, about 1 minute. Transfer to paper lined platter and sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.
Perfect Lemonade
Any Fourth of July celebration would be incomplete without all-American lemonade. This classic version has a perfect balance of sweet and tart.
Ingredients :
2 quarts (8 cups) cold water
2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 14 medium lemons)
1 cup Simple Syrup, plus more as needed
Ice
1 medium lemon, thinly sliced, for garnish
Directions
-
Combine the water, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher and stir to combine. Taste and add additional simple syrup as needed. Chill until ready to serve.
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To serve, pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices.
Cumin powder with a hint of chaat masala can make this lemonade a party favourite.
Shoofly pie
Americans are suckers for fruit pies, but this Pennsylvania Dutch treat pie-making to its essential, tasty core. Crust, with molasses and crumbs. Nothing more.
Ingredients :
Pastry for a one-crust, 9-inch pie
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 rounded tablespoon cold butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup light molasses
3/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon baking soda
Directions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
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To Make Bottom Layer: In a medium bowl combine molasses, hot water, and baking soda. Stir well. Whisk in beaten egg. Pour mixture into pie shell.
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To Make Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl combine flour and brown sugar. Mix well, then cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle on top of molasses layer.
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Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Lower temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake an additional 30 minutes.
Image &Source: www.baking.com, www.foodnetwork.com, www.chow.com
Feature Image : www.usaflagsupply.com
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