The Royal Chef At Home: Easy Seasonal Entertaining

FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS FIESTA

M ost older English are rather ambivalent about Independence Day, which they often view as just another flag waving opportunity for the Americans, while younger Brits born after 1990 always think it has something to do with aliens and and the actor Will Smith. Even the British who live here find it a somewhat discomfiting show of patriotism. Such outward enthusiasm goes totally against the grain. But ask them how they feel about burgers on the grill, beer and fireworks and most will nod and say, “Well, that’s lovely.” Yes it is. I’m sure there are places where a vegetarian Fourth of July feast is perfectly acceptable (I’m looking at you California), but here in Texas meat is always on the menu, the more varieties the better. From the Parma ham in the cantaloupe salad, to the burgers and ribs, meat makes an appearance everywhere in this menu, except the blueberry and strawberry dessert. Of course you can serve some of the cantaloupe sans ham and tuck one or two veggie burgers on the grill to make everyone happy. And isn’t that what Fourth of July should be? A day we all celebrate, each in our own different way, together.

87 SUMMER · FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS FIESTA