I remember back as far as I can remember celebrating the Fourth of July. Growing up in middle America, it was always big family get-together. Everyone was off school and work, the weather was always great, we would eat hot dogs, sip sun tea, play whiffle ball and set off M-80s in the burn barrel (aka the barrel in your back yard that you used to burn your paper products). Basically the most perfect day ever.
These days, we may not have huge family gatherings and play whiffle ball until the sun went down when we would burn every last sparkler in the package, but we still have an annual fireworks party. Since our building is right on the water, literally a few feet from where they set it off, it’s the biggest summer celebration of the year for us! We invite over our friends, and enjoy chatting and snacking while the kids kicks balls until the dark sky is lit with loud booms brightly colored bursts.
We also still partake proudly in the All-American theme. We don our red, white and blue from head to toe, and even decorate our foods to match the theme as well. From strawberry pretzel salad to our Heulva Good dips to go with a Heluva Good time, we always prepared the same dishes year after year, including the famous ragged flag dip. This was more for nostalgia, but it’s held ground over the years because it’s so simple, not just to make, but to remind us of the sacrifice we’d endured to sit here, and enjoy these moments with our families.
And this year, I thought I would share the recipe so you, too can join in the American love that will happen all around the 50 states in about four days – because we can all use a little more love. any more time in the kitchen (15 min tops!)
As Johnny Cash would say, here’s our:
Heluva Good, Ragged Old Flag Tribute Dip
Ingredients:
- refried beans
- Heluva Good dip (prefer original French Onion!)
- taco seasoning
- pico de gallo (or salsa)
- black beans
- white cheddar cheese
- cherry tomatoes
- guacamole or hummus (based on preference)
Directions:
Layer that lady up! We start with refried beans as a base, then the Heluva Good (mix 1/2 pack of taco seasoning into it prior to spreading into the dish). Then pico de gallo, and guacamole or hummus. Then sprinkle all the white cheddar cheese our over the top. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place them in “stripes” leaving the top left corner for black beans to represent the “stars.”
And viola – you’ve made yourself one simple, country patriotic dip my friends.