Want BBQ, flag cupcakes, pie, and patriotic cookies for Independence Day? Keep reading:
Get your grill set up and get cooking this 4th of July weekend! Chef Mike Carrino of Pig & Prince Restaurant in Montclair shares a couple of his favorite BBQ recipes:
Barbecue Rub for Chicken, Pork Shoulder or Pork Ribs
- 1 ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup salt
- 1 c garlic powder
- 1 cup onion powder
- 2 T white pepper
- ½ cup cumin
- ¼ cup coriander
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 ½ T cayenne
- 2 T ground mustard
- 3 T Paprika
- 1 cup chili powder
-Mix all ingredients together and generously rub down your choice of meats.
-Allow meats to sit for at least an hour, up to 24 hours
-Grill ribs on medium heat on gas grill or indirect heat on charcoal grill for 30/40 minutes rotating often.
-Smoke or roast chicken at 325 degrees for 45/55 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees, allow to rest for 20 minutes before carving.
-Smoke or roast pork shoulder at 315 degrees
Weight / Time
5 lbs / 3 hours
10 lbs / 5-6 hours
Hush Puppies
- 1 ½ cups sifted AP flour
- 5 cups corn meal
- 4 Tsp baking powder
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 Tbls sugar
- 4 Tsp salt
- 5 scallions
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 jalapeno minced
- 1 cup chopped corn
- Splash of lemon juice
- Squirt of sriracha
-Gently fold all ingredients together
-Heat a large cast iron pan filled ½ way with canola oil
-Bring oil to 350 degrees (use a candy thermometer to gauge)
-With tablespoons gently spoon in batter and allow to shallow fry for 1 to 2 minutes
-Turn with a fork and cook on other side for 1 to 2 minutes more
-Remove and allow to drain on paper towels or cooling rack
If you prefer to let the pros do the cooking, The Wood Pit (108 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042) has ribs, brisket, suckling pigs, and more to order in their 4th of July catering menu:
Montclair Bread Co. is selling festive doughnuts with red, white, and blue sprinkles at $22 per dozen over the holiday weekend.
Nothing is more American than pie and Raymond’s famous Blueberry Pie is amazing. (28 Church Street, Montclair, NJ, 07042) has a delicious Blueberry Apple Pie:
Enjoy an All American Sundae at Applegate Farm (616 Grove Street, Montclair):
Tiny Elephant, Montclair’s new cafe and bakery has a full menu of appetizers, sides and salads to cater your Fourth of July party. They also make cakes. Check out this patriotic treat:
The Little Daisy Bake Shop (622 Valley Road, Montclair, 07043) is selling All American treats:
And with all this food and fun, you’ll need some drinks. Here are three red, white, and blue cocktails to mix up yourself and one to enjoy out:
For the non-drinkers at the party, some homemade strawberry lemonade:
Or you could go to Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas in Clifton to enjoy its new cocktail for July — Blueberry Smash. This bright cocktail combines gin, Grand Marnier, blueberry puree and a float of Prosecco for sweet summer sipper bursting with flavor.