Post by talented sister Maria. 
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I started dreaming about  what the big summer holiday menu would be in May. (I know, I’m weird, and my brain thinks in food sometimes).
In my own family, the Fourth of July Recipes always included something on the grill, something cool and refreshing, and something patriotically sweet.
So here we go with a Firecracker Menu!

– 50 Stars Barbecue Chicken
– Avocado Cucumber Salad
– Lemon Blueberry Bars

We’ll also make sure there’s lots of Grillin’ Beans,  Chips and Dips, and Sweet Tea on hand!

50 Stars Barbecue Chicken

I’m not kidding when I promise you this will be the best Barbecue Chicken you will ever taste. I can’t claim the recipe, it was gleened from my friend Marcy Kee, who is FAMOUS in our town for her cooking and smoked meats.

Ingredients:
1 Bottle of Sweet Baby Rays Barbecue Sauce
1 Stick of Butter (don’t be scared, good food is made this way)
2 packets of Italian Seasoning
Dash of Basil
14 Chicken Drumsticks

How To:
1. Preheat Oven to 350. (you will use grill a little later).
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Wisk in Italian Seasoning, Basil and Bottle of Barbecue Sauce. Bring to a Boil.

3. Dip Drumsticks generously into sauce mixture. (There should be a good amount left over for later) and place in a 9×13 pan.

4. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes and Preheat Grill on Medium Low half way during baking process.

5. Remove Drumsticks from oven (your house will now smell amazing), and give them one last dunk in the barbecue sauce and place them on heated grill. Grill for an additional 15-20 minutes. I like them just slightly charred.

Notes:
You can fully cook the chicken in the oven if you prefer not to grill, just increase baking time to 45 minutes or until chicken is done.

Hot Wing Variation
Add 1 Bottle of Hot Sauce
Use Wings instead of Drumsticks

Avocado Cucumber Salad

Servings: About 10 -12  1/2 cup servings

This salad is so pure and fresh and a great mix up from the ordinary. I came up with it when I did my Paleo 30 Day Challenge. My kids usually ask for seconds!

Ingredients:

2 Cups Each of Chopped:

Tomatoes, Cumbers, Ripe Avocados

Juice from 1 and 1/2 Large Lemons

2 Tbs. Chopped Garlic

1 Tsp. Sea Salt (more to taste)

How To:

Toss the vegetables in a boil and stir in chopped garlic and salt. Drizzle lemon juice over salad and toss again. Best if chilled for 15 minutes before serving.

Lemon Blueberry Bars

Servings: 16-20 Bars (Depending how small or large you serve your squares. They are rich so I tend to keep mine small.)

I’ve made these a dozen times and everyone always asks for the recipe.  This is a golden Kraft recipe I found. It’s been tried and tested and they are AMAZING. Serve on a red napkin or serving dish and you have a beautiful 4th of July themed dessert 😉

Light up those fireworks, and the grill while you’re at it, and thank God for our freedom! Happy Almost 4th of July!!

P.S. Three ingredient strawberry pie + Easy 4th of July apps and desserts.