Stars and Stripes

Happy Birthday, America - 235 years!  Wow, I remember your 211th birthday like it was only yesterday.  We've both changed a bit, for the better, I'd like to think.  For example, back then, I looked a little something like this:

That's me, second from the right.  Few people can rock a bowl cut like that.  

Luckily, some things stay the same.  Barbecues, parades and fireworks...like most holidays, this one is all about traditions.  We are adding a pancake feed in the park and the chalk festival to the list this year.  Let's hope for sub-90 degree weather, as we are planning to walk down to the festivities.  

In case you have yet to finalize your Independence Day Menu, may I offer up some suggestions?  Yes?  Good, here we go.  Here are some recipes from a dinner we made the other night.  Both are spiced up versions of standard summer meals.  

Sixteen Spice Chicken is a recipe we discovered a few years after eating at Mesa Grill in NYC.  We have made this recipe many times and many different ways, and it's always delicious.  Most recently, we used boneless, skinless organic chicken breasts, 14 of the 16 spices and cooked it on a gas grill.  If you can't find the different types of chili, feel free to substitute what you have.  

For a side dish, try Grilled Corn with Cheese and Chili.  Again, this is a flexible recipe, and if you do a google search for Cuban Grilled Corn, you'll find many variations.  Pick a recipe, get the floss ready and enjoy; it's delicious!

Of course, don't forget dessert.  Homemade angel food cake with whipped cream and strawberries.  Add blueberries to get the red, white and blue effect.  Yum!