From our Amazing Families to Yours: 4th of July Traditions and Recipes

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese *for easy mixing & no lumping, set cream cheese out to soften as long as possible*
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (5.1 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 3 cups cold milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 4 bananas, sliced
• 1/2 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk and vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping.
2. Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish with vanilla wafers. Arrange sliced bananas evenly over wafers. Slowly pour in the pudding mixture and spread evenly. Top with remaining whipped topping. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Before you serve, top with vanilla wafers and banana slices and enjoy!

Potato Salad Ingredients:

• 3 to 3-1/2 pounds potatoes (about 10 medium)
• 6 hard-boiled large eggs
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped (Fun Fact: She subs out onions for lots of pickles!)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Additional hard-boiled large eggs, sliced
• Paprika

Directions:

In a large kettle, cook potatoes in boiling salted water until tender. Drain and cool. Peel potatoes; cut into chunks. Separate egg yolks from whites. Set yolks aside. Chop whites and add to potatoes with onion.

In a small bowl, mash yolks. Stir in mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour over potatoes; toss well. Adjust seasonings if necessary. Spoon into a serving bowl. Garnish with egg slices and paprika. Chill until serving.

Ham Ball

Ingredients:

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, slightly softened
• 4 slices ham, chopped
• 4 stems green onions, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste
• 1 cup chopped pecans, or more to taste

Directions:

Mix cream cheese, ham, green onions, and seasoned salt until evenly mixed; roll into a ball. Spread chopped pecans onto a flat surface. Roll ham ball in chopped pecans to coat. Note: as a bonus she usually wraps it thin strips of ham from the deli.

Ingredients:

• 6 fresh jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 12 slices bacon

Directions:

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Spread cream cheese to fill jalapeno halves. Wrap with bacon. Secure with a toothpick. Place on the grill and cook until bacon is crispy.

Ingredients:

• 2 racks of ribs
• Dry Rub Ingredients
  • ½ cup sweet paprika
  • 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp ground ginger
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried sage (optional)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (optional)
  • 1 tsp ground mustard seed (optional)
  • 1 tsp ground cayenne (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1 Tbsp kosher salt
• Homemade BBQ Sauce Ingredients
  • 14 oz ketchup
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp yellow mustard
  • Hot sauce, to taste
  • 2 small garlic cloves, grated
  • ¼ red onion, grated
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • Dry rub set aside from recipe above

Directions:

Combine all dry rub ingredients in a bowl. Set aside 1 cup for BBQ sauce. Prep the ribs and cover every inch in the dry rub. Let the ribs rest for an hour at room temperature. Smoke the ribs for around 5 hours, rotating and monitoring the temperature throughout. Top generously with the homemade sauce!

The 4th is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. The above recipe is from one of my all-time favorite cooks, Basics with Babish! Visit his website to learn the exact step-by-step!