When I was a little kid, fireworks bursting high in the star-filled night sky were the most thrilling part of Independence Day. Their brilliant, ever-exploding colors punctuated by deafening booms and the cheering crowd sent me soaring.
As an adult, I still thrill the fireworks, but my greatest joy comes from sharing traditions I’ve built with my family over the years. It all begins on the morning of the Fourth with our very own home-town parade, complete with floats, decorated cars, flag-waving kids, and a profusion of outrageous costumes. Personally, I’m attached to a funky old hat and a pair of sparkly, dangling red star earrings that pinch my ears and make me glad I only wear them once a year. After the last marchers pass by, we eagerly turn our attention to giant picnic baskets filled with homemade fried chicken and all the fixings—made the day before so that I can join in the fun.
With a large, hungry group like mine the key to a no-stress holiday meal is good planning and making as much as possible in advance. Chicken marinated in buttermilk is the traditional star of our Independence Day menu. Add to that an old fashioned picnic-style potato salad with hard-cooked eggs and tarragon, creamy slaw, fluffy, mile-high buttermilk biscuits and my favorite Guinness chocolate cake, and you have the perfect summer celebration meal. Everything is packed in plastic with ice for easy transporting.
Before you tell me that you can’t make fried chicken and would prefer to grab a tub of it at the local fast food place, know that as a novice cook, I could not fry it to save my life. It was dreadful stuff: greasy, overcooked—dark with the breading falling off. I finally got fed up and positively refused to do it ever again. But a few buckets of fast-food cluckers later, I did a little research and discovered that you could marinate the chicken for moistness, fry till golden and then finish it off in the oven. Amazing—what a difference. Now it’s one of my specialties. So give it a try and know the pleasures of this well-loved family favorite.
When we’ve licked the last of the picnic from our fingers and night begins to fall, I bundle up and grab the last standing celebrators and head to the Marin Headlands. There on a clear night one marvels at the beauty of the fog gently blowing through the Gate. Boom! The spectacular show begins as the fireworks soar and burst over San Francisco Bay. It reminds me of what a beautiful place we live in, and how fortunate I am to have great family and friends to share it. Oh, look at that brilliant red, white and blue beauty going off now. A reminder to be thankful for the freedom we often take for granted. Happy Fourth of July!
Get printable copies of my recipes and illustrated, step-by-step how-to’s for your convenience.
Southern Fried Chicken with Gravy
Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with Chocolate-Cinnamon Frosting
Barbara Adams Blog also appears on the SFGate.
