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Independence Day is synonymous with one of Downtown’s favorite F-words: food.

Want to make your Fourth of July barbecue a success? Downtown Magazine has selected our favorite red, white and blue themed recipes from celebrity chef and author Claire Thomas of The Kitchy Kitchen to keep celebrating like it’s 1776.

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Photo: Courtesy of Kitchy Kitchen

WATERMELON MARGARITA

Cool off from the city heat with a refreshing margarita- and since it’s watermelon, you can pretend it is healthy!

Ingredients: For 1 Margarita

-3 ounces jalapeño infused tequila (or regular repesado tequila)

-3 tablespoons lime juice

-1 teaspoon agave nectar

-1/2 cup chopped watermelon

-1 handful ice

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Photo: Courtesy of Kitchy Kitchen

BLACKBERRY BASIL SMASH

Make your tastebuds explode just like a firework with this fruity refresher.

Ingredients:

-7 fresh basil leaves

-1 lemon half, quartered lengthwise

-3 blackberries

-1 tablespoon simple syrup

-2 ounces bourbon

-crushed ice

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Photo: Courtesy of Kitchy Kitchen

BACON WRAPPED HOT DOGS

Celebrate America’s birthday with the most American thing of all: a hot dog wrapped in bacon.

Ingredients:

-2 tablespoons oil

-1 large yellow onion, sliced

-1 to 2 jalapeños, sliced

-4 hot dogs

-4 slices of bacon (thinner cuts work best)

-4 hot dog buns

-1 tablespoon butter, softened for easy spreading

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Photo: Courtesy of Kitchy Kitchen

SHRIMP BURGER WITH WAKAME SLAW

Try this twist on an American Classic to keep your guests guessing.

Ingredients: For 4 Burgers

-1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped basil

-1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

-1 1/2 tablespoons  fish sauce

-1 inch lemongrass stalk

-3 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped

-1 inch of fresh ginger, peeled

-2 cloves garlic

-large pinch salt and pepper

-1 1/2 pounds of large shrimp (16-20 per pound size; peeled and de-veined), roughly chopped

-1/2 tablespoon of corn starch

-2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Ingredients: Toppings

-4 burger buns

-1/4 cup mayonnaise

-sriracha

-wakame salad

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Photo: Courtesy of Kitchy Kitchen

AMERICAN FLAG CAKE

What is more American than a flag on a cake?

Ingredients: For one 9 x 13 Cake

-1 9 x 13 inch sponge cake (recipe below)

-1 recipe whipped cream cheese frosting (recipe below)

-2 half pint blueberries

-1 half pint raspberries

-1 half pint strawberries

-1 half pint currants or plums or other read fruit

Ingredients: Sponge Cake

-1 3/4 cups cake flour, sifted then measured

-2 1/4 cups sugar

-3/4 teaspoon salt

-1 1/2 cup eggs whites (about 9 large eggs)

-1 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

-1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

-1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

-1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, packed

-9 egg yolks

-1/3 cup water

Ingredients: Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

-3 cups heavy whipping cream

-16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature and soft

-1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

-3 cups powdered sugar

-2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

-By Audrey DuVall

Downtown Magazine