Looking for a terrific way to entertain when it comes time to celebrate the birth of our nation? We’ve devised a fun-filled feast and plan of events that can be equally enjoyed at a beach, in a park, or in your own sun-drenched backyard.
Several weeks before the event, decide on your invitations and either mail or phone them no less than three weeks ahead. With everyone’s busy lives, vacation plans, etc., anything less than that far ahead is likely to have you celebrating alone. Next, visit a discount party supply house -- here one will find loads of colorful papergoods made for the 4th of July, including coated paper plates, napkins and cups in a flag motif; plastic silverware and tablecloths; small and large serving trays; and American flags from tiny postcard size to giant flags to fly from a yard-arm -- all done up in red, white, and blue and at 50% off (at our store). Dust off the picnic hampers and wash out the coolers.
Wondering how to entertain your hungry guests before and after the meal. Most people at a picnic just seem to know how to have fun. If you’re going to a beach, you might include these activities: beach volleyball, swimming and bodysurfing (if the beach doesn’t have an official lifeguard, make sure at least two of your guests and/or you know lifesaving techniques), beach combing, sand soccer, Frisbee, kite flying. Starting this year, develop a family project that will build memories for years to come. It might be something like a family softball game, a sand castle or sand sculpture building contest, weaving baskets from gathered basket-making materials (grapevines, reeds, etc).
For years, my sons and I visited the beach by our house every day, year round. On special days such as the 4th, we’d add a special sand candle-making session to our list of activities. Sand candles sell for considerable money in boutiques near the shore, but they cost only pennies to make and the kids enjoy hunting for the shells, bits of driftwood, and unique rocks that will make your sand candle distinctively yours and a memento of the day.
After filling a large container with wet sand, we’d choose a suitable "mold" such as a metal tin, bottle, large jar, etc. to firmly push into the wet sand. Sometimes we’d free-form the "mold" by scooping out sand with spoons and small shovels.
We’d place the paraffin, 4 tablespoons of Stearine (hardens the wax) per pound of paraffin, and a candle or candy-making thermometer in an old melting pot.
Don’t leave the wax unattended by a responsible adult and don’t let the melting wax get above 315°F (160°C) as paraffin can ignite at 400°F (200°C). Pour some of the hot wax into the mold (the sand will sizzle a bit). Allow to cool until firm, but still warm.
Attach a wick tab to one end of the wick and tie the opposite end around a straight stick that long enough to suspend across the container of wet sand, making sure the wick tab touches the warm wax and goes through the center of the mold. At this point, we’d embed small seashells, pretty rocks, or bits of interesting driftwood into the sides of the mold. Prepare another batch of wax, this time heating it to 180°F (82.2°C). Add 3 tablespoons of Stearine and any candle dye or candle scent -- or leave the candle natural. Pour the wax into the mold cavity, filling it to the top of the mold. Allow the candle to cool completely before removing it from the sand, brushing off any loose sand. For a final touch, we’d spray the candle with an acrylic spray, first protecting the wick with tape. If you like detailed directions, a list of supplies, etc., send an e-mail with the subject: sand candle, and we’ll e-mail you instructions.
For years, the 4th of July meant piles of fried chicken, ears of buttered corn on the cob, bowls of salads, watermelon, and a choice of peach or cherry pie. Since we’re all eating leaner these days, we’ve lightened that old sure-fire menu to reflect our eating styles and tastes of today. The menu is easily portable to a beach, park, or backyard. (Check out this month’s Food Safety Tips Away from the Home.).
The day before the outing, pack the non-refrigerated items and your picnic or beach paraphernalia such as sunscreen, inset repellent, Citronella candles and/or torches, beach towels, beach or lawn chairs, portable radio or CD player and protective CD carrying case (keep in the shade), sun umbrellas, sports equipment, buckets and shovels for playing in the sand, a first-aid kit and your glucose monitoring kit, any medications and/or insulin you’ll need to take, and an American flag to fly proudly.
Most of the food can be prepared the night before and refrigerated, ready to pack into iced coolers for toting to the picnic site. Don’t forget to take along a couple of large plastic trash bags for getting your trash to the dumpster provided or bring back home. Also be sure to take along plenty of cold drinking water -- somehow looking at miles of water makes everyone extra thirsty. We’ve planned the menu for eight servings, but the recipes can be easily doubled to accommodate more guests.
For the meal, we start with a sippable first course of nippy-flavored gazpacho that makes use of summer’s wonderful tomatoes. Serve in short clear plastic glasses with a whimsical scallion swizzle, the gazpacho is particularly refreshing when served in the great outdoors. Since the vegetables are finely minced, there’s no need for a spoon.
Our main course, Grilled Marinated Chicken, comes from our friend, Carole Peck. Carole is the owner and chef of the Good News Café in Woodbury, Connecticut and has been hailed as one of the outstanding female chefs in the country. We lightened her recipe some with excellent results. Since a 4th of July Picnic shouldn’t be without potato salad, we offer really good low-fat Old-Fashioned Potato Salad made from Yukon Gold or red new potatoes. A vibrant Crunchy Summer Vegetable Salad makes an excellent second accompaniment. Dessert is easy -- a refreshing medley of summer fruits in the colors of the flag and served with a yummy Chantilly Cream. Who could resist?
(for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above)
