4th of July Flavor Fest

The 4th of July holiday "Independence Day" is every patriot's most beloved holiday. The day celebrates the act by Congress in 1776, declaring the 13 colonies no longer be subject to the British monarch's rule, thus independent. A little known fact is that it was voted on and approved 2 days earlier but wasn't officially declared until 2 days later. Both front yard and massive public fireworks displays have become synonymous with the 4th of July holiday, with a morning parade kicking off the holiday. Later, maybe a family gathering, where traditional family feasts take center stage while red, white, and blue balloons and streamers add to the patriotic environment. These 5 simple foods are always at the top of my 4th of July flavor fest list.

Corn on the cob is a staple for any 4th of July cookout and why not? We have been consuming this sweet, crunchy veggie since we first set foot on what is now called the United States of America. Corn is an extremely versatile food, most of the tribe's yield was dried and ground down making a powdery substance known as maize. Corn on the cob can be prepared by roasting, boiling, steaming, deep-frying, and my favorite, grilling until it just starts to char. I also prefer the white corn over the yellow, the kernels are more tender and sweeter. It is great slathered in butter and lightly salted. On a recent trip to Avila Beach, Ca., my wife and I found a vegetable stand where they roast it fresh and top it with mayo, hot sauce, and a squeeze of lime, my new corny fave.

BBQ potato chips are just 1 of many varieties of chips to choose from today. Salt and vinegar, lime, smoked gouda, and believe it or not, prime rib with horseradish. When I was a kid we only had 2 choices plain or BBQ and we always got the chips with a pop, perfect for the 4th of July meal. Potato chips originated in England in 1812 where a cook named William Kitchiner published a book with the recipe. They became the chips we know of today in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. in 1853. A cranky customer at a local restaurant complained that the potato dish was too soggy. The proprietor sliced potatoes thin, fried them, and viola, the invention of our country's most popular snack food. In 1954 BBQ chips became the first of what is now a long list of flavored crisps.

Baked beans are another popular side-dish for any 4th of July spread. Originating in South America, making their way to the states via Europe, recipes vary based on the region you are visiting. The southern and eastern seaboard states tend to be tangier due to the addition of mustard. In the New England states, they are sweeter with molasses as a key ingredient. Boston baked beans are the king of baked beans hence the nickname "Beantown". They are simple to make but give yourself plenty of time to make these sweet morsels. Combine white beans, molasses, brown sugar, cloves, water, onion and cubed salted pork in a bean pot. Cover and bake at 250 degrees for 8 hours. If you don't have the time canned beans heat up in 1½ minutes in the micro.

Hot dogs are the quintessential favorite of any 4th of July feast. Hot dog history goes back to the 12th century in Frankfurt, Germany, hence the term frankfurter. Simple to make, with lots of condiments to choose from, this tender main part of the meal is consumed more on the 4th of July than any other day of the year by far, 115 million last year. Joey Chestnut started his day off with 74 at Nathan's Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is held annually at Coney Island. I look forward to watching this festival of gluttony every year and I am sure this year will be no different. One of my personal favorites is found at Costco, where for $1.50 you get a coke and snappy foot-long dog with all the traditional condiments. When in Chicago, the Chicago dog is a must.

Strawberry shortcake is my favorite 4th of July dessert. When I was young strawberries weren't available year-round like they are today so it was a real treat to have them for the holiday meal. Strawberries have been around seemingly forever but it's younger sidekick shortcake, didn't make its debut until 1588. Using simple ingredients such as flour, baking soda, salt, milk, and butter cut in giving the mixture a crumbly texture. Next, the dough is rolled out and cut like biscuits and baked at a high temperature. Making the rest of the components is much simpler. Sprinkle fresh sliced berries with sugar and chill to extract the juices. Whip some cream and top the biscuit with strawberries and cream. Garnish the top with fresh blueberries for a truly patriotic red, white, and blue dessert.

There are many other ways to celebrate the 4th that have become rites of passage for some including attending ball games, concerts, carnivals, fairs, family reunions, or maybe even a political speech at an event honoring the special day in our history. I am reminded of the 2 famous politicians that signed the declaration: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Coincidentally, both became President and died on the same day, July 4th, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the signing of the document. This year huge bursts of color will fill the night-time sky along with earth-shattering booms. New York City will have the largest, followed closely by Philadelphia and the National Mall in Washington D.C. Make it your patriotic duty and enjoy the food and the colorful displays.