4th of July Yummies

This fourth of July, my hubby and I marked thirteen lucky years of wedded bliss.  Although we normally escape together, there is nothing we like more than being with each other and our kids.  So I decorated with stars and stripes, pulled out the croquet set, and made the following yummy food and drinks:

Drinks for the kids:

I took some fruit punch and filled about 1/3 of the glass, then added star shaped ice, then drizzled a thick pina colada juice drink over the ice.  Next, I drizzled some Blue Gatorade over the top of that.

Drinks for the parents:

I made some frozen pina coladas and frozen strawberry daquiries.  I added blue curaco to half the pina colada mix, then layered the concoctions.

For some yummy sides, Potato salad and sweet coleslaw....

Potato Salad: (credit Taste of Home Magazine)

Boil about 6-8 red skinned, chopped potatoes for about 10-15 minutes.  

Make a vinagrette out of

2/3 cup oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

2 tbsp dijon mustard

dash salt

1/2 tsp dill weed

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Whisk the vinegarette and pour over cooled potatoes, then stir.

Now add the following and mix:

2/3 cup mayo

2/3 cup sour cream

2/3 cup sliced green onions

1/2 cup minced fresh parsley

4 hard cooked eggs, chopped

Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Now for the coleslaw.  This is my own sweet recipe...

For the dressing I stir the following ingredients

about 1/4 sweet onion, minced

1/2 to 3/4 cup mayo (I like the kind made with olive oil)

about 1 tbsp spicy mustard

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tbsp sugar (brown sugar is even better

2 tbsp pickle relish (dill or sweet, whichever you like better)

dash salt

generous turn of fresh ground pepper

For the slaw...

1 package coleslaw mix

1 chopped gala apple

about 1 cup chopped grapes

1/4 cup slivered almonds

Mix the dressing with the slaw and refrigerate it for a couple hours.  Yum Yum.

We had a fun day, but I would love ideas and recipes to make it even more fun next year.  Please comment to let me know any fun traditions, games, or special foods you have at your house.