Recipes From The 4th

Patriotic Star Crackers

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and we certainly believe this to be true. During our #GuestHouseQuarantine we wanted to prepare a Memorial Day grazing tray and could not find star shaped crackers anywhere. So we decided to make them. We were shocked at how simple they were to bake, yet incredibly delicious! Because they can be so easily incorporated into any event menu, we have a feeling we will continue to include them often!

Ingredients:

1 package Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust

2 egg whites whisked together

Coarse Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 450°.

2. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

3. Unroll pie crust onto cutting board. Using various sizes of star-shaped cookie cutters, cut out stars and place on the parchment lined cookie sheet.

4. In a small bowl, whisk egg whites together and generously brush the stars with the egg white mixture.

5. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

6. Bake 6 to 7 minutes or until the stars are lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheet to a cooling rack to cool.

7. Serve immediately or can be can stored tightly covered for up to five days.

---

When searching for recipes for the holiday weekend, we found Zest & Simmer's recipe on Pinterest. It was just the inspiration we needed! We did adapt a few things to "Texafy"it (Who can serve a dish in Texas without adding jalapeños, right?).

Blueberry Barbecue Brie Burgers

Ingredients:

Barbecue Sauce:

1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries

1 small onion, finely chopped

6 - 8 pickled jalapeños, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

4 Tbsp. ketchup

3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Burgers:

2 lb. ground beef

4 Tbsp. breadcrumbs

2 Tbsp. minced garlic

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

8 oz. brie cheese, rind removed and cubed

12 slices crispy bacon

1/2 purple onion, cut into rounds

1/2 yellow onion, cut into rounds

1/2 cup fresh spinach

mayonnaise

4 hamburger bakery buns

Directions:

For barbecue sauce:

1. Add all ingredients for the sauce into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat o to low. Simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes or so. Remove from heat and cool.

For burgers:

1. In large bowl, combine beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper.

2. Divide mixture into four round balls and then flatten to make a patty. Divide cubes of brie between the four hamburger patties. Roll back into a ball with brie securely in the middle of each one. Flatten back out for your patty keeping the cheese in the center.

3. Set patties aside, and fry the twelve slices of bacon until crispy in a large skillet

4. Remove bacon from skillet, and sauté the purple and yellow oven in the bacon grease for about five minutes until onions are soft. Remove from skillet.

5. Grill patties until well done or burgers are cooked through. Burgers can also be cooked on the stove top as well whatever your preference.

Burger Assembly:

1. Spread mayonnaise on both sets of buns.

2. Add the brie burger patty, then top with blueberry barbecue sauce, bacon slices, onions and fresh spinach.

Yields: 4 incredible burgers