Fun Fourth Food

By Guest Bloggers Kristi Marion Johnson and Emily Eileen Carter

July is a hot month full of pool parties, baseball games and the most patriotic of American holidays, Independence Day! Boost the American spirit and bring red-white-and-blue to the table and poolside with these kid-friendly recipes. Plus all of these are easy enough for the kids to make themselves!

Watermelon “Sparkler” Pops

Ingredients:

~ blueberries
~ mini-marshmallows
~ watermelon
~ skewers
~ star-shaped cookie cutter

Directions:

1. Slice watermelon to a thickness slightly thinner than the star cookie cutter (roughly half an inch).

2. Let the kids place 8-10 blueberries on the skewer, alternating with mini-marshmallows.

3. Use the star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out star watermelon slices.

4. Place watermelon star on top of the skewer stick.

Patriotic Popcorn

Ingredients:

~ 4 cups plain popcorn (popped)
~ 16 red candy melts
~ 16 blue candy melts
~ optional: mini marshmallows & red & blue M&M’s®

Directions:

1. Melt the red and blue candy melts in separate bowls in the microwave at half power for 1 minute, then stir. Melt again for 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted.

2. Place half the popcorn in large bowl and drizzle blue candy melts, gently turning with a large spatula.

3. Place the other half of the popcorn in a bowl and drizzle red candy melts over mixture, turning with a clean large spatula.

4. Let each popcorn mixture cool for one hour, or until candied popcorn has cooled, then toss the red and blue popcorn together in a large bowl (with optional mini-marshmallows and red and blue M&M’s®).

Blueberry Cobbler

Ingredients:

~ 4 Tablespoons butter
~ ¼ cup sugar
~¼ teaspoon salt
~ 1 teaspoon baking powder
~ 2 cups fresh blueberries
~ ½ cup steel-cut oatmeal
~ ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
~ ¾ cup whole milk

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Put butter in an 8-inch square or 9-inch round glass dish, microwave to melt butter.

3. Mix sugar, baking powder and salt in small bowl. Add oats, flour, and milk; whisk to form a smooth batter.

4. Place blueberries in glass dish; then pour batter over blueberries.

5. Bake until batter browns and fruit bubbles, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Thank you to Forsyth Family magazine for letting TMoM share this article today!