Prepping For The 4th

Fireworks over the Lake

 

 

In a few more days it will be time to celebrate the birthday of our nation.  People are starting to get on the road and travel to different destinations to enjoy the holiday. My side of the family usually gathers and enjoys a day at the lake together. According to the weather man we should have great weather on Monday to spend time sitting by a lake.

Today we are having a wonderful break from our normal hot muggy summer days.  The temperature is in the 70’s  and it seems like a great time to do some baking to restock the freezer and also to do some preparing for the upcoming holiday celebration.

When our family gets together for this particular holiday we typically all bring our own burgers and buns and a side dish to share; plus some snacks for the afternoon.  There are just certain things that have become standard for the day.

The side dish that I bring to share for the evening meal has turned into one that has become a 4th of July tradition.  I am now required to make the taco salad.  My husband really dislikes taco salad and I sometimes wonder what would happen if I brought a different salad?  Would I be barred from the festivities? Hmmm I don’t think that I will test that one out.

Taco Salad Fixings

 

The recipe that I use comes from an old cookbook I received as a bridal shower gift from my sisters many, many, (did I say many?) years ago. My original cookbook has long since lost the back cover along with the entire last section of recipes.  The pages are dog-eared and worn. Some pages even stick together from having ingredients spilled on them. It is a book well-lived and well-loved.

I love this cookbook so much that last year I asked a friend, who runs tag sales, to keep her eyes open for another one that would be in good shape. (This cookbook is long out of print). I was so excited when she found one for me!

I will hang on to my original one though; as there are lots of memories and notations on those stained, well-used pages. I like to think I am like this cookbook….a little worn but well-lived and well-loved!

 

For those of you who want to try making the taco salad I have included the recipe:

Taco Salad
1 Large head lettuce (torn)
1# Ground beef
1 Can dark red kidney beans (drained)
8 oz. Shredded cheddar cheese
4 Red tomatoes (diced)
1 Large onion (diced)
1 Bag Dorito Nacho Chips
1 Pkg. taco seasoning
Dressing:
1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
1 Tablespoon Taco Sauce
8 – 10 oz. Thousand Island Dressing
1/3 cup sugar
Brown the ground beef.
Add taco seasoning (reserve 1 tablespoon for dressing)
In large bowl layer ingredients – lettuce, cheese, ground beef etc.
Cover and refrigerate.
At serving time toss salad with dressing and crushed nacho chips.

Here is hoping you all have a blessed weekend and enjoy your 4th of July holiday! I also wonder what do you and your families do to celebrate the holiday?

Food is our common ground,
a universal experience.

 James Beard quotes