Nothing says summer more than Fourth of July fireworks, hot dogs and watermelon. Living in the Washington DC area, we are fortunate to have any number of major fireworks displays practically in our backyards, including the National Mall.
Our beautiful beaches on the Eastern Shore will also be a popular destination this weekend. If you aren’t brave enough to fight the crowds at either of these locations, the we suggest an alternative: Stay home and relax in your own backyard!
An investment in a deck or patio for your home will yield far greater returns than a fleeting vacation at the beach. Spend your Fourth of July enticing your neighbors with the delicious aroma of barbecue. Maybe even invite them over now that you have plenty room to entertain, as long as you had the fence company install a new fence!
Try this recipe for homemade barbecue sauce courtesy of the National BBQ Association:
Easy Three-Cup Barbecue Sauce
Combine the following liquids:
1 cup water
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup Worchester sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 dashes of Tabasco Sauce
Add the following items:
1 onion, finely chopped
4 cloves of minced garlic
2 cups of ketchup
1/3 cup of dark brown packed sugar
(can substitute molasses)
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1 tablespoon of ground cumin
Optional: Chopped Jalapeño pepper with seeds removed.
Directions:
• Pour contents into sauce pan and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes until solution thickens.
• Strain contents through fine mesh and adjust seasonings to taste: salt/pepper/etc.
• Use immediately or refrigerate up to a week.