July 4th weekend means fireworks, barbecues, burgers and hot dogs. While classic preps of these iconic foods are always welcome, it could be fun to change them up a little, starting with these five creative recipes.
Southern ingredients and preparations are trending, and pimento cheese is one of the favorite items. At Illegal Food in Atlanta, chef Steven Lingenfelter menus a housemade smoky version that tops one of his burgers.
This whimsical take on a popular state fair food is sure to win fans. Instead of hot dogs, these veggie-based “corn dogs” feature wedges of avocado that are skewered, coated with spicy cornbread batter and fried.
Photo courtesy of California Table Grape Commission
Tour de France Burger
Signature toppings can turn an ordinary burger into a craveable one. At Birchwood Cafe in Minneapolis, chef Marshall Paulsen gives a grilled turkey burger a French twist, topping it with a creamy blue cheese-walnut spread, grape-rosemary salsa and aioli flavored with garlic scapes.
This recipe packs an ordinary burger full of surprises. The ketchup is actually a housemade condiment prepared by cooking down fennel, tomatoes, onion and garlic in a sweet-sour mixture, while the mustard is really mustard greens that sub for lettuce on the bun.