This is from my first summer at this house, it feels like I just moved in, but this will be my sixth summer here. The yard has changed dramatically, as has my life. But the recipes are still yummy.

From 2016:

It sounds like many will have rain for the holiday weekend. Luckily all the recipes I pulled together work well for an indoor picnic or backyard cookout.

The first compilation I arranged was for a variety of not-your-typical Pasta Salads, click here for four very tasty recipes.

The second group of recipes (found here) I put together from the archives was for garden fresh salads. Recipes include the Jicama Slaw (pictured at top of post) that I am making for a cookout this weekend. The smallest jicama I could find was 2.5 lbs. Anyone have ideas what I can do with the 1.5 lbs I’ll have left over?

I’m also making Watermelon Granita, recipe here, but you can use the recipe to make any flavor you desire.

My new garden has quite a few ready to harvest rhubarb plants. I’ve had this recipe tucked away for just such an occasion. Click here for Rosemary-Lemon-Rhubarb Spritzers. 

Buttermilk Pie, above, is such a show stopper and foolproof to make. Click here for the recipe.

What’s on your Fourth of July menu? What food is an absolute must for your table on this holiday?

Tonight’s featured recipe takes potato salad in a different direction and I hope it inspires you to share your favorite  potato salad recipe in the comments.

Italian Potato Salad

• 2 lbs of small red potatoes, scrubbed and sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 tbsp of salt
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp crushed garlic
• 1 tsp fresh snipped rosemary
• 2 tbsp fresh snipped basil
• 1/2  tsp crushed dried oregano (or  2 tsp fresh)
• 2 tsp stone ground mustard*
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 24 to 28 oz fire roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
• salt & pepper to taste
• 2 oz shaved Parmesan

Large saucepan, baking sheet, large serving bowl

In saucepan, cover potatoes with water, add salt and bring to a bowl.  Reduce heat to low boil and simmer until potatoes are just fork-tender.  You don’t want them to be soft, as for mashing, you want them to still hold their shape.

Mix together vinegar, garlic and spices.  Drain potatoes and spread over a baking sheet in one layer,  pour 1/2 of vinegar mixture over them and let cool completely.

Add mustard and oil to remaining vinegar mixture.  Add sliced peppers to potatoes, stir and then transfer to serving bowl.  Toss with remaining vinegar mixture, salt and pepper to taste and Parmesan.

*I have an aversion to Dijon mustard, but if it a favorite of yours, you can easily use it in this recipe.

That’s it for me. There will not be a recipe exchange next week. I am officially moving next weekend. I may post photos of that if I have internet set up. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July – TaMara

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And here we are back in the present again. Depending how the weekend goes, I’ll try and post a few more holiday recipes. As the Fourth is one of my favorite holidays, it won’t surprise you to know I have quite a few recipes geared toward the celebration.

Until then…