Family Features: Add Sizzle to Your Fourth

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A dazzling fireworks display may be the grand finale for your celebration, but you can make your mouthwatering menu a close second with these ideas to light up your Fourth of July.

Bold Honey Barbecue Burger

Total time: 35 minutes. Servings: 4

YOU WILL NEED :


  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3-4 tablespoons steak seasoning
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 1/2 stick melted butter
  • 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 4 slices Borden Cheese American Singles
  • 8 slices thick bacon, cooked until crispy
  • 8 frozen onion rings
  • 4 slices tomato / fresh lettuce

HERE’S HOW YOU DO IT :

Combine ground beef, green onions, garlic powder and cayenne pepper; form into four patties. Sprinkle both sides of each patty with steak seasoning. Cover and chill. (Patties can be made several hours in advance.)
Brush buns with melted butter; set aside. In small bowl, mix barbecue sauce with honey; set aside.Heat grill to medium-high heat.
Grill burgers to internal temperature of 160 F, about 4-6 minutes per side. Two minutes before burgers are finished, grill buns, butter-side down, until golden brown. Place cheese slices on burgers to melt.
Serve each burger on buttered bun topped with two slices bacon, two onion rings, honey barbecue sauce, lettuce and tomato.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (berry sundaes)

For Dessert: Serve Up a Sundae Bar

The only thing better than a dish of cold ice cream on a hot summer day is the chance to make it all your own. Let guests create their own dishes of deliciousness with a DIY sundae bar. Start with a healthy supply of cups, spoons and towels to mop up inevitable drips then fill the bar with irresistible options like these:

  • A sampling of ice creams, like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry
  • Fresh sliced fruit
  • Crushed candies and cookies
  • Sauces (chocolate, caramel and something fruity, too)
  • Assorted nuts
  • Crunchy favorites like crumbled cones or salty pretzels
  • Coconut (raw and toasted)
  • Whipped cream
  • Sprinkles