(really last minute) meal ideas for Fourth of July
Raise your hand if you’re grilling out, going to a cookout or heading to a social gathering of some sort this weekend? (**raises hands**) The past couple of weeks have been SLAMMED at work, and before I knew it, the Fourth of July was two days away. When we’re in town, we usually go to a party on the 3rd or 5th (this year it’s the 5th) and we have to take a dish to share.
So as I type this, I’m still trying to figure out what I can take. Thankfully, an email popped up this week with recipe ideas from eMeals!
Here are two dishes I’m considering for this weekend. (The watermelon salad is a dish that I have all ingredients already on hand. Winning!)
Berry Topped Thunder Cake
(source: eMeals)
Ingredients:
Box German chocolate cake mix
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
12 oz jar hot fudge topping
16 oz carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
16 oz container strawberries, chopped
1 pint blueberries
4 chocolate-covered toffee bars, coarsely crushed
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Make and bake cake according to package directions in a 13×9-inch pan.
3. Cool 20 minutes in the pan. Invert cake onto a serving platter, if desired.
4. Poke holes all over warm cake using a wooden spoon handle. Slowly pour condensed milk over cake; spread evenly.
5. Heat fudge topping in microwave 10 to 20 seconds or until barely warm.
6. Slowly pour fudge topping over cake.
7. Let stand 20 minutes to cool. Spread whipped topping over cake.
8. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
9. Top cake with berries and crushed candy bars. Cut into squares to serve.
Note: Make ahead and refrigerate cake 3 hours or up to overnight. Best served cold
Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 6 cups cubed seedless watermelon
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint (optional)
Instructions
Combine oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a serving bowl.
Add watermelon, cheese and pecans; toss gently to coat.
Sprinkle with mint, if desired.
Serve with a slotted spoon.
Best served the day it’s made
What are you making this weekend? Are you heading to or hosting a cookout?
Note: The above links are affiliate links. I have received a complimentary subscription to eMeals for the year, and all opinions about eMeals are my own.
Yum! That watermelon salad looks amazing. I’ve added mint to mine, but never balsamic. I’ll have to give it a try.
And yes, how did it get to be July 4th?
I’m super picky and usually never include fruit in my salad but this actually sounds great (especially since i absolutely love feta cheese)! Thanks for sharing. š
The cake sounds GOOD! I’ll have to make that sometime!
I have almost everything for that watermelon meal. I would love to make that since we are huge watermelon junkies here at our house.
I have heard that the watermelon salad is good. We have been juicing watermelon everyday lately! š Hope you have a happy and safe 4th!
A watermelon salad sounds awesome. Sadly, it’s going to rain here in MA tomorrow, so our cookout is going to become a cook in š
I just bought a watermelon. There is always left over, so this is the perfect way to use it up. The salad sounds amazing!
best time of the year (happy fourth of july by the way!). the thunder cake sounds divine – make this make this! With loads of pics!
Watermelon is so perfect for summer. I love the idea of having it in a salad.
I love watermelon…it’s one of my favourite fruits. We have it all year round because it is so hot here (I live in Trinidad). Now that I am on vacation, I am looking forward to days at the beach with watermelon slices. š
PS: First time here and loving what I see already.
These look quick enough for anytime and the watermelon sounds refreshing.