To me a theme makes the party so much more enjoyable for you and your guests. Here are 10 ideas for your next patriotic themed party.
The first things guests usually grab is a drink when they arrive at your celebration, so in the drink category we have a recipe that can be either Virgin or Laced with a little Liquor for a kick.
1) Place a few strawberries, blueberries and chunks of pineapple in a glass.
2) Muddle the fruit by mashing it with a wooden spoon or muddler (which is a fancy word for cut it or mash it a little so the flavor is released). THIS PART MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
3) Toss in some ice cubes and bits of the aforementioned fruits.
4) Pour in a favorite ginger ale or lemon lime soda. (Add a shot of White Rum, Vodka, Gin or Tequila for that kick)
You can always go with a simply stand by of Lemonade served with some sliced strawberries and Blue Berries
Next is the presentation! There are really SO MANY things you can do with mason jars, I highly recommend you have one case of them stored in your home, they are VERY versatile and pretty in expensive. For this we are going to make them our drink glasses. GREAT for the environment instead of using those plastic cups. To help everyone keep straight whose drink belongs to who try this trick. Simply little key tags, you can buy these almost anywhere and red white and blue pony tail holders. Again these are great to keep on hand and change up the glass themes. Decorate the key tags and attach them to the pony tail holder then secure then on the neck of the glass, Add Colorful Paper straws and WALLA a fun colorful accessory to your party, again it also protects the environment
Here is one other quick mason jar idea, this idea adds in the table setting and again is environmentally friendly. In the mason jars include a colored bandanna for a napkin and the utensils.
OK Next we need some apps while wewait for our meal, snacky things sitting around for munching.
Lets start with something easy, Patriotic Popcorn
Patriotic Popcorn
You will need:
1 bag of white candy melts
2 cups Rice Chex cereal
2 cups pretzel sticks
1 bag white popcorn
patriotic sprinkles
red M&M’s
Combine cereal, pretzels, and popped popcorn in a large bowl. Make sure you separate the popcorn from the unpopped kernels before pouring into the bowl. Melt your candy melts and pour over mixture. Stir gently until evenly coated. Spread out onto a foil lined baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with sprinkles and M&M’s. Do not stir the sprinkles and M&M’s into the mixture or you will have white sprinkles and M&M’s. Let cool then break apart. To keep fresh, place in a gallon size Ziploc bag or store in a sealed container.
Firecracker pretzels
One bag large sized pretzels
1 tray Vanilla CandiQuik Coating
red, white and blue sprinkles
Melt CandiQuik according to package directions. Quickly dip pretzels or marshmallows in CandiQuik and place on parchment paper. Let CandiQuik set for one minute then sprinkle with sprinkles.
OK we need one last snack to serve.
Stuffed Cocktail Tomatoes
20 cherry tomatoes
1/2 lb bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup chopped green onion
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (snipped or dried)
Directions:
Cut a thin slice off of each tomato top.
Scoop out the insides and drain upside-down on a paper towel.
In a small bowl combine all other ingredients.
Spoon the mixture into the tomatoes.
Chill and serve.
OK Next lets move on to the Meal
Let’s start with an easy little salad
Flag Salad
This is really simply it is simply the following ingredients cubed
Feta Cheese or any white cheese you prefer
Watermelon, seeds removed
Blue Berries
(Alternatives could be tomatoes or raspberries)
For a fruity addition to dinner simply cut watermelon into wedges and use popscicle sticks or tongue depressors to eat them on
Watermelon Popsicle 
Red, White and Blue Potato Salad
Yes there are Blue Potatoes too, This recipe is VERY simple, and if you cannot find the blue potatoes it is still great with red and white potatoes served in a blue bowl.
This is a German-style potato salad. That means it gets its great flavor from herbs and vinegar instead of mayo, make it easier to bring along and safe to make ahead, even on the hottest days. Two things to note about this recipe: (1) you’ll want to bake or microwave the potatoes instead of boiling them, which will help them retain their color. And (2) even if you cook the potatoes ahead of time, you’ll want to “dress” them with the vinegar while their warm, so they absorb more flavor.
Simply add some diced Garlic, onions, bell peppers and ham (Omit the ham for a vegan delight) make it exciting, and a touch of walnut oil and your choice of sherry or white balsamic vinegar round it out to perfection. We promise you’ve never had a potato salad quite like this, and each bite will feel like a celebration of flavor in your mouth!
Patriotic Taco Salad
Serve with Red, White and Blue Tortilla Chips
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1-1/2 cups water
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 envelope taco seasoning
6 cups tortilla or corn chips
4 to 5 cups shredded lettuce
9 to 10 pitted large olives, sliced lengthwise
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
Directions
In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the water, tomato paste and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
Place chips in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Spread beef mixture evenly over the top. Cover with lettuce. For each star, arrange five olive slices together in the upper left corner. To form stripes, add cheese and tomatoes in alternating rows. Serve immediately.
OK on to a main course now
These chicken Kabobs are really VERY simple.
Chicken Kabob Blasts
Some cubed chicken
Cherry Tomatoes
White Onion (White Potatoes will work if you are using purple onions below.
Blue Potato -Purple Onion will also give you the color you want)
You can grill them or bake them at 375
When they are done simple drizzle a mixture of Olive Oil (Extra Virgin), garlic, salt and pepper or what ever flavors your prefer
You can not get more patriotic than hot dogs so how about simply grilling some hot dogs and serving them with some colorful toppings.
Hot Dogs Patriotic Style
Simply serve your hot dogs with the following toppings
Purple Onions, White Corn Salsa and Red Bell Peppers
White Corn Salsa Recipe
Strip the kernels from 2-3 ears of white corn into a large bowl, add a half cup or more of diced onion, cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Uncover and add diced jalapeno pepper, one half cup or more of diced red pepper. A sprinkling of salt, some chopped cilantro if you wish, and the juice of a small lime or lemon (or try a few tablespoons of Balsamic vinegar instead) complete the salsa. Mix well and chill.
And of Course deserts
Popcorn Cake
This would also work using Rice Crispies
1 package (16 ounces) miniature marshmallows
20 caramels
1/4 cup butter, cubed
10 cups popped popcorn
1-1/2 cups salted peanuts
1 cup red, white and blue milk chocolate M&M’s
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the marshmallows, caramels and butter. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 3 minutes or until melted, stirring occasionally. Place the popcorn in a large bowl; pour caramel mixture over popcorn and mix well.
Stir in peanuts and M&M’s. Press into a well-greased 10-in. tube pan. Cool until firm. Remove from pan; cut with a serrated knife
Red White and Blue Ice Cream Sandwich
Simply cut regular Ice Cream Sandwiches in half
Roll in colored (Red, White and Blue) Sprinkles
Insert Popsicle stick and Walla Dessert!
This would also work as an Ice Cream Sandwich Bar
Supply the Popsicle Sticks
Patriotic Sprinkles
Chopped, Strawberries, blue berries, raspberries, Black berries
Chocolate chips etc
And let your guests create their own delectable dessert.
Looking for more patriotic Dessert Ideas?
Well there you have it you Patriotic Menu, everything you will need to Celebrate with your Red White and Blue Theme.
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