4th of July Honey BBQ

Gather your family and friends! It's time to celebrate July 4th! One of the best ways to celebrate this American Holiday is to host a Barbecue.

Here are some great red, white, and blue recipes to try out at yours this year:

HONEY BBQ SAUCE

YIELD: Makes approx. 2 quarts

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup - canola oil

3 cups - sweet onions, chopped

1 cup - roasted red bell peppers, chopped

1/2 cup - Italian parsley, chopped

2 cups - tomato sauce

1 1/2 cups - honey

1 cup - orange juice

1 cup - dry white wine

3 T - apple cider vinegar

2 T - lemon juice

1 T - garlic, chopped

1/4 cup - Worcestershire sauce

salt

cracked black pepper

cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, peppers and parsley; cook, stirring occasionally until onions are translucent. Add tomato sauce, honey, orange juice, wine, vinegar, lemon juice and garlic; cover and simmer on low heat for 1 hour.

Add Worcestershire sauce and season with salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Simmer, covered, for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Purée with a hand-held blender or transfer sauce to a blender and blend on medium speed for 1 minute.

ALMOND STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE PIE

YIELD: Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 - 9-inch baked pie shell

1/2 cup - semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

For Filling:

1 package (8 oz.) - cream cheese

1/3 cup - whipping cream

3 T - honey

2 T - almond extract

1/2 tsp. - vanilla

1/8 tsp. - salt

For Topping:

1 1/2 baskets - fresh strawberries, washed and hulled

2 T - honey

1/2 cup - red currant jelly, melted

DIRECTIONS

Spread melted chocolate over bottom of baked pie shell. Chill.

Beat cream cheese with whipping cream, 3 T honey, almond liqueur, vanilla and salt. Spoon over chocolate. Chill 30 minutes.

Combine strawberries with 2 T honey and melted jelly. Toss gently to coat berries completely. Arrange over cream cheese filling. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

TIP

Best served within 2 to 3 hours.

HONEY BLUEBERRY CITRUS SLUSH

YIELD: Six 6 oz. servings

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 cups - fresh orange juice

1/2 cup - Orange Blossom honey

2 Tablespoons - lemon juice

2 Tablespoons - lime juice

1-1/2 cups - frozen blueberries

1 cup - crushed ice

DIRECTIONS

In a blender, combine orange juice, honey, lemon and lime juices until honey is dissolved. Add blueberries and ice. Puree. Serve in beverage glasses garnished with a lemon or lime wheel.

Hope you enjoy these delicious recipes, and have a happy 4th of July!

For more honey recipes click here.