Got Fireworks?

This weekend as we celebrate our nations' independence, there will be places where fireworks, a tradition in most cities, will not be allowed.  Lots of reason for this, but the fireworks that I'm talking about will be the food served on the dinner table on the 4th of July.  There are so many traditions in a country as large as ours, that it is impossible to list them all, but for this post I'm including a few recipes for the weekend that are some faves around Chez Phillips.

Shrimp Remoulade Rolls
Serves 6

A twist on the New England lobster roll, these have a spicy mayonnaise sauce from New Orleans that kicks them up nicely.  In New England the hot dog rolls are cut so that they have no crust on the sides, only on the top and they are grilled in butter........what's not to love?


6 hot dog buns, or other soft rolls
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 pounds medium to large shrimp, cooked, peeled,deveined and chopped
¾ cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Creole mustard (or Dijon mustard with 3 shakes Tabasco)
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon finely chopped cornichons or dill pickles
2 teaspoons finely chopped shallot
1 teaspoons prepared horseradish
2 teaspoons finely chopped capers
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
½ teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
¼ cup chopped chives for garnish

1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium low heat.  Spread some of the butter over the inside of the buns, and place butter side down in the skillet, until the buns are toasted. If you can get New England style hot dog rolls, butter the outside, and toast the outside.  

 In a large bowl, combine the shrimp with the remaining ingredients, and stir to blend.  At this point, the salad can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.  If serving immediately, load the shrimp salad into the buns, and serve.   

Strawberries and Rhubarb are just about done, but if you hurry, you can grab what's left and make this delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble............serve with vanilla ice cream, of course!

 Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Serves 10 to 12
For the Fruit:

4 cups hulled strawberries, cut in half or quartered if large

4 cups fresh rhubarb, chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 4 stalks)

1 cup granulated sugar (or more if the berries need it)

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 cup fresh orange juice

1.  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and coat the inside of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the berries, sugar, cornstarch and juice and transfer the mixture to the baking dish.   Set aside while making the crumble. 

 For the Crumble:

 2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1.    In a food processor, combine the flour and sugars by pulsing on and off 4 to 5 times.  
2.      Drop the butter cubes onto the flour mixture, and pulse the mixture on and off until it begins to come together. 
3.       Break up any large pieces, and sprinkle evenly over the fruit in the prepared pan. 
4.       Bake the crumble for 35 to 45 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling. 
5.      Serve the crumble warm, or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream, or gelato.  
6.       If you have any crumble topping (uncooked) leftover, freeze it and then use it another time.

If you are doing individual crumbles, they will cook for 20 minutes, until they are golden and bubbling.  This recipe will make about 16 ramekins.  

 I'll be back with a few other thoughts on the weekend tomorrow, until then, enjoy your night.