A Patriotic Fourth of July Flag-themed charcuterie board with blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and cheese, served along homemade gin and berry slush drinks in eagle cups, followed by the main course of smoked sugar and salt free ribs, baked beans and potato salad.
The Fourth of July is always a good time to get together with family and friends, show off some sugar free ribs and cooking skills, and enjoy time together over a good meal and some fireworks before getting to bed for the night. This year, it started with the thought of a patriotic cheese tray, and everything from there was made from scratch.
The Cheese Run
I left work early on Thursday to make it to Chalet Cheese in Monroe, Wisconsin, they close at 3 PM. Take it or leave it, Limburger is usually something we have around for holidays. When I picked it up, they now also make a smoked Limburger and a “sweet” Limburger with a little apple cider mixed in.
They also had aged Brick, often called “Schmear Brick.” For some, it would be thrown outside; for others, it is a special treat. It will pair well with mom’s potato salad, the sugar free ribs, baked beans and mac and cheese.
The Menu
Sourdough bread bowls filled with spinach artichoke dip, pretzels to dip in cheese fondue, mom’s potato salad, homemade baked beans with bacon and pork burnt ends baked in, mac n cheese, and of course 3-2-1 ribs. Dry rub, smoked for 3 hours, then 2 hours wrapped in foil with butter, and finally sauced up and baked on high heat for the last hour.
As everyone ages, we start to alter our recipes. My ribs were made sugar free and salt free, using a dry rub with no brown sugar or salt, just spices like paprika, a blend of ground peppers, and garlic and onion powder. On the final bake, they were covered in sugar free barbecue sauce.
No one noticed.
Getting There
We gathered up all of the food and carefully loaded it into the Jeep. The baked beans smelled amazing, but I didn’t want to smell them spilled onto the carpet for the next month. Then we made the short trip to my parents’ house to enjoy the food, company, and fireworks.
It had also been 4 weeks since our gin was made, so we pulled the cork and shared it with everyone. Nikki found eagle cups at Dunkin’ Donuts and mixed up a berry slush drink for us to enjoy while we put together the cheese tray.
As we pulled out of the driveway, the lilies were having their own Fourth of July celebration, showing off their colors like fireworks.
One More Thing
Along with the bread and pretzels, I needed to use up some sourdough discard. I think I’ve finally perfected my sourdough crackers. Right before the fireworks display, we enjoyed Mom’s signature flag-designed angel food cake with ice cream, and my sister-in-law’s scotcheroos. I’m not sure how she makes them perfect every time. Never hard, always perfect. The fireworks did not disappoint, as we watched from the windows, safe from the mosquitoes. Nikki just got her three gallon blood donor pin. I’m still waiting for the mosquitoes to send mine in the mail.
We hope you had an amazing Fourth of July with your friends and family as well. Happy 250th birthday, USA!