I don’t mean to brag, but I got to cook for a god this holiday weekend and he was a big fan. Our July 4th celebration was a very last minute affair so we had an intimate group of friends and family over for some pooltime and a laidback cookout. Though my friends are a bunch of first-class eaters, the champion-of-the-day was 3-year old Thor who, fittingly to his super-human name, is a big fan of steak. By the end of the meal, Thor out-ate all the other men by feverishly polishing off the last of the flank steak — check him in the video above to see what I mean. Below is the whole menu and I’m happy to say it went over as well with the adults as it did with Thor.
July 4th Poolside Cookout
Summer-y Sangria
Riesling, orange liqueur, and blackberry liqueur with ginger, mint, apricots, and raspberries
Varied the linked recipe by adding fresh ginger, orange liqueur, and silver tequila
Charred Green Beans with Paprika-Mustard Dipping Sauce
Varied the linked recipe with a honey mustard-mayo dipping sauce with loads of black pepper and paprika
Flatbread with Herbed Ricotta Spread and Cucumbers
Fresh ricotta whipped with feta, herbs, squash oil, and topped with paper-thin cucumbers
Toasted Baguette with Roasted Pepper and Tomato Salsa
Spanish pan con tomate topped with a roasted pepper and tomato salsa with capers and herbs
Garbanzo Bean Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Garbanzo beans, radishes, cucumber, scallions, and tomatoes tossed in a balsamic-pomegranate vinaigrette
Cinnamon-Rubbed Flank Steak with Basil Salsa Verde and Chimichurri Sauces
Cinnamon-coriander-rubbed steak grilled and served with two herb sauces
Fig-Orange Marmalade-Glazed Roasted Shrimp
Charred shrimp tossed in a fig-mustard-orange marmalade glaze
Icebox Cake with Mascarpone and Blackberries
This classic dessert is updated with Mascarpone, cocoa, and blackberries
Rum and blackberry liqueur-macerated watermelon
