Anonymous
Post 06/26/2025 14:00     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't get the appeal of watermelon and feta salad. Every time I have tried to make it, the water draining from the watermelon "melts" the feta and the salad becomes a ugly mess.


Hmm this has been my experience as well. I wonder what I’m doing wrong!


Don't buy crumbled feta. Buy a block and make big enough chunks that they don't melt.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2025 13:56     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
This is so simple and it's always a hit. I'm sure many of you will consider it too lowbrow, but it's delicious.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pineapple-pretzel-fluff/

Don't add the pretzels until you serve it or they get soggy.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2025 13:49     Subject: Re:What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Anonymous wrote:I feel like such a loser. Zero plans for July 4th. We used to have so much fun, now the friends we used to hang out with go to their second homes all summer and kids both out of town. So boring.


We have tickets to a play. It was the cheapest night of the summer to see it and I was able to get great seats. This may become my new July 4th tradition.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2025 12:34     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What's the hot item to take this year?

Me in a bikini.


pass
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2025 11:49     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Anonymous wrote:What's the hot item to take this year?

Me in a bikini.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2025 10:46     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Anonymous wrote:A case of Corona and a bag of limes.


That's Cinco de Mayo. For the 4th you need an American beer - Yuengling will do.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2025 10:43     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
What's the hot item to take this year?
Anonymous
Post 07/04/2023 09:32     Subject: Re:What are you taking to 4th of July parties?


Where are you all finding sweet watermelon? I am in SoCal and no matter how I slap, shake and look for yellow creamy spots, they are always mediocre. I have produce workers choose for me-makes no difference, which shouldn’t be a surprise as the already cut-up watermelon they sell is either mealy or bland.
Anonymous
Post 07/03/2023 12:57     Subject: Re:What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is no one bringing the pound cake, whipped cream/Cool Whip, berries flag cake?


Ah the traditional. Always brings to mind this Onion headline:

https://www.theonion.com/not-knowing-what-else-to-do-woman-bakes-american-flag-1819566173



We are making this because my kid loves to help make it. And eat it.
Anonymous
Post 07/03/2023 12:07     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We are hosting at our house. 40 people with different preferences - vegetarians, non beef eaters, non vegetarians, kids, old people, keto, dairy free, gluten free, shrimp allergy, sesame allergy, peanut allergy, Indians, white Americans, Cubans. Not potluck! My party lady is coming to help.

We are serving-
Samosas
Grilled minty masala paneer cubes on sticks
Masala Chas
Mini quesadillas veg
BBQ chicken legs
Loaded burgers
Chicken biryani with Raita
Pasta salad
Mango lassi

Chopped watermelon
Jalebi
Rabdi
assortment of icecreams

Lots of booze and soft drinks.


I want to crash this party!


OMG! Really? I am glad to hear this. I felt that my family has put together this hodge-podge menu with an identity crisis.
DH wanted N.Indian food, kids wanted traditional July 4th food! But now I am thinking that maybe people will like this.


Yes, your menu looks fab. I want to come, too.
Anonymous
Post 07/03/2023 12:05     Subject: Re:What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Beer. This is one holiday where I become very leery of food, LOL. It's just too hot and there is too much mayo and whipped cream.
Anonymous
Post 07/03/2023 11:59     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Anonymous wrote:We are hosting at our house. 40 people with different preferences - vegetarians, non beef eaters, non vegetarians, kids, old people, keto, dairy free, gluten free, shrimp allergy, sesame allergy, peanut allergy, Indians, white Americans, Cubans. Not potluck! My party lady is coming to help.

We are serving-
Samosas
Grilled minty masala paneer cubes on sticks
Masala Chas
Mini quesadillas veg
BBQ chicken legs
Loaded burgers
Chicken biryani with Raita
Pasta salad
Mango lassi

Chopped watermelon
Jalebi
Rabdi
assortment of icecreams

Lots of booze and soft drinks.



This totally sounds like something I would serve, and always goes over SO well! I do wish I had a Party Lady to help, though!
Anonymous
Post 07/03/2023 11:57     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Garlic Focaccia. It's going to be a hodgepodge anyway, so why not? If I can get good plums, I might make a cobbler or a crisp as well.

I was originally going to make some biryani and riata, but got too lazy about it.
Anonymous
Post 07/02/2023 19:39     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Ps- please stop with the mayo based items on July 4th. Yuck.


PS, please get over yourself.



It’s not a judgement it’s a health concern.

Most people aren’t eating globs of mayonnaise on a daily basis. Fourth of July is a holiday. People want to eat special food because it’s a special occasion. You do not have to eat it if you’re concerned about your health.

I think perhaps PP meant health concern interns of mayo sitting out for hours at a time. It doesn’t really concern me, we keep the food indoors and on ice, and most people eat right when we arrive (dinner time).


I don’t eat mayo, so I’m no expert. But I see bottles of mayonnaise out on tables in restaurants all the time. Not sealed mayo packets, but big half empty bottles of Hellman’s which appear to have been out all day. I don’t think anyone is switching them for refrigerated ones at the local dive diner.

What gives? Why is ok for that mayo to stay out all day, but not potato salad made with it? My personal theory is that grocery store mayo is perfectly fine and potato salad made with it won’t go bad as quickly as people think. All the preservatives prevent the bacteria from growing. Just like homemade whipped cream goes bad far before the commercial stuff does.


Sealed mayo at room temp is fine. Mayo based items sitting outside at length in 80-90 degree heat breeds bacteria like salmonella (it’s egg based).


Did you think that commercial mayonnaise is using eggs that aren't pasteurized?

(CDC, FDA, and USDA all give different advice re: homemade vs commercially made mayonnaise.)
Anonymous
Post 07/02/2023 19:33     Subject: What are you taking to 4th of July parties?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Ps- please stop with the mayo based items on July 4th. Yuck.


PS, please get over yourself.



It’s not a judgement it’s a health concern.


Mayonnaise isn't as much of a picnic concern as you may have been led to believe. Rice dishes, with B. cereus, are more commonly a problem. Would you like links? I will dig them up if it would make a difference to your preconceptions.