The 4th of July is tomorrow and BBQs and Fireworks are two of the main events of the Holiday. Since Colorado and a lot of Western states are under severe fire bans we cannot participate in some of the typical 4th of July traditions. Here are some fun ideas for no grill recipes and fun activities to keep every one entertained during your 4th of July party.
Not everyone has a gas grill and the use of charcoal has been prohibited, here are some great recipes the will give you the BBQ experience with out the grill.
Ingredients:
- ground beef- 1 to 1 1/2 lbs
- refrigerated jumbo biscuit dough (1can for 4 people, 2 cans for more)
- onion, white- 1, sliced into thin slices
- deli sliced cheddar cheese- ½ lb
Directions:
- Brown meat and season with salt and pepper to taste
- Heat oven to 375 degrees
- Pound out biscuit dough with the palm of your hand and/or a rolling pin into flat circles
- Add onion (as desired) and cheddar cheese slice onto one circle at a time leaving about ½ inch at the edges
- Spoon ground beef on top of cheese and/or onion
- Cover with another biscuit circle and pinch sides together while folding gently over the top, then flip over
- Place on a baking sheet fold-side down; you can mark ones that have onion, cheese, etc if needed by using a fork or toothpick to make a mark
- Bake until dough is browned on top, approximately 12-14 minute
Ingredients
- 8 cups water, plus 2 tablespoons
- 3/4 cup kosher salt, plus 1 teaspoon
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
- 3/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dry BBQ seasoning, plus 2 tablespoons
- 2 large bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves
Directions
In a large plastic container with a lid add 8 cups water, 3/4 cup salt, 3/4 cup brown sugar, vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the BBQ seasoning. Stir until well mixed. Add the chicken to the brine and refrigerate at least 2 hours and no longer than 4 hours
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Remove chicken from brine and pat dry. In a small bowl combine 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons dry BBQ seasoning. Rub the outside of the chicken with spice mix and transfer to a roasting pan. Add 2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the pan and put in the oven. Roast for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature at the thickest part of the meat reaches 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the chicken from the oven to a cutting board. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes, loosely covered with foil, before carving and arranging on a serving platter.
Oven Baked S’mores
- Start by laying out graham crackers on a cookie sheet and place 1-2 marshmallows on top of each.
- Place into the oven set at 400 degrees and bake until the marshmallows are crispy brown- around 3-5 minutes.
- Place pieces of chocolate on top of the hot marshmallows- the heat will melt the chocolate.
- Top with another graham cracker.
- Stack on a plate and serve warm.
Once the sun sets fireworks and sparklers are two main activies on the 4th, but that might not be an option this year. Try these games to keep people smiling and partying all night long.
Set up Bocce or Horseshoes in the yard, once the sun sets bring out glow sticks to take the place of sparklers or organize a game with flashlights such as:
Sleeping Pirate is a good game to teach listening skills and stealthiness. Choose one player to be the “pirate” and give him a flashlight. You’ll also need a ball, bucket or other object to represent the “treasure.” The pirate sits at one end of the playing area, with the “treasure” sitting in front of him or her. The other players line up on the other end of the playing area. To play, the players each try to sneak up and steal the “treasure” without tipping off the pirate. If the pirate hears a sound, he shines the flashlight in that direction. If the flashlight beam tags a player, he must go back to the starting line. The first player to nab the treasure without alerting the pirate becomes the new pirate.
Enjoy and have a great 4th of July!
