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Writer's pictureLuci, Michele, and Billa

For the 4th - Easy Starters, Easy Finishers

By Luci

We love holidays. But sometimes they overwhelm. And sometimes, especially summertimes, we just want to do the minimum. So here are four dishes for the 4th, a duo of appetizers and a pair of desserts, all dressed up for the day, sporting red, white and blue. All super easy.


The Appetizers


Crackers with Cheese and Fruit

This is a snap. Slather a crunchy cracker with a white cheese and top that with red and blue fruit in a pretty pattern. 


The result is a handsome and scrumptious illustration of a basic flavor principle - sweet and sour. The fruit is sweet, the cheese supplies a mild sour with the added bonus of umami. Texture contrasts are notable: crunchy cracker, smooth cheese, soft fruit.


And so easy. Buy all the ingredients at your local grocer. Assembly is painless.


I used blueberries because other blue fruit such as elderberry or concord grapes are not in season. Raspberries pair well with blueberries in terms of taste and size. Your choice of cracker and cheese can take the appetizer in a savory or sweet direction. For a shift to savory, use a cracker flavored with black pepper and goat cheese or a pale blue cheese. For a mildly sweet variant, use a club cracker or something plain such as a water cracker. The cheese could be cream cheese or a double or triple creme cheese such as Saint André. 

 

Red Pepper Dip with Sour Cream and Chips of Blue

You can’t get easier than this. Prepare separate bowls for a red pepper dip, blue corn chips and sour cream. Have your guests scoop some red pepper dip onto a blue corn chip and add a dab of sour cream. Red pepper dips are easy to find in groceries and the Internet has versions with various ingredient combinations. My favorite is muhamarra (see, https://www.themediterraneandish.com/muhammara-recipe-roasted-red-pepper-dip/). Whatever your choice, the result will fill the mouth with flavors that seem to bounce around charmingly.  



The Desserts


Both desserts feature three ingredients, red fruit, blueberries and whipped cream. One is a cake, the other presents the combination in an elegant dessert glass. Additions to the basic dishes create complexity and intrigue.


Spicy Cherry Compote with Blueberries and Whipped Cream to Top a Cake

Its alluring appearance is validated with its rich and captivating taste. And it’s a piece of cake to construct. 


Buy a plain cake and remove any topping. Buy a 21-ounce can of cherry pie filling. You could use the filling as is. I prefer to spice it up to stimulate excitement. In a medium saucepan, simmer for 10 minutes with 1/4 teaspoon of ground allspice, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves and 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander. Cool to room temperature.


Place the cake on your prettiest cake plate. Cover with the cherry compote leaving a center area plain. Fill the center area with blueberries (sweetened if necessary). Top the blueberry center with whipped cream and place a cherry on top of the whipped cream.


Boozy Berries

Your guests will be besotted with this simple but elegant ending for a July 4th party. Blueberries and raspberries macerate in berry liqueur, then get sweetened up with whipped cream. Place individual portions in footed dessert glasses for an elegant appearance that promises luscious taste. 


Put 1/2 pint each of blueberries and raspberries in a bowl. Add 1-3 teaspoons of sugar (depending on sweetness of berries) and 3 tablespoons of a berry liqueur such as Chambord, Macerate for an hour or more, gently stirring from time to time. To serve, place in your most elegant dessert glass or bowl.


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