It’s time to start thinking of fun things to serve on the most patriotic of holidays – the 4th of July!

Try these USA-inspired meal ideas and whoop it up this Independence Day!

BLEU CHEESE BURGERS

Color is of utmost importance with your 4th of July presentation. So try some colorful burgers with white onion, ketchup/tomato and a sprinkle of bleu cheese. You may have to hunt to see the blue – but, hey, that’s half the fun!

LAYERED PATRIOTIC DRINKS

For a fun red, white and blue-colored drink, start with ice cubes that will appear white, pour cranberry juice on the bottom of a clear glass or cup, then add blue G2 Gatorade on top. You’ll have patriotism in a glass!

DELICIOUS FLAG CAKE

Chef Ina Garten’s gorgeous flag cake (seen above) features all of the beautiful colors of the American flag. What better way to show your appreciation for our country? Click here to see the recipe and ingredient list for this beauty.

Then, have fun coming up with your own ideas using the red, white and blue theme. Get the kids involved, too. It’s more fun that way! Happy almost 4th, everybody!

Photo courtesy of FoodNetwork.com.

Summer is burger time. And with that comes the age-old question — What shall I put on my burger?

Some folks have their tried-and-true favorite steakburger toppings and they stick with that. Every time.

Mustard, lettuce, cheese.

Others get adventurous and try something different every once in a while.

Sriracha. Avocado. Maybe some Tabasco and bacon.

Possibly something like the BBQ Bacon Steakburger seen above.

Delicious!

But whatever you choose to top your burger with, it’s a very personal decision. Let no one force you into the same little box every time. Branch out! Do your own thing with your burger!

So next time you’re ready for a new burger experience, here’s a couple of fun burger recipes to try that definitely do not smack of the ordinary. Enjoy!

Burger buns don’t just come in the white bread variety anymore. Although, that’s still a fantastic option and one of my faves.

We first began branching out with the old sesame seed bun and that really got our taste buds thinking.

These days, there are so many burger buns to choose from. Here’s a list of some of the top contenders:

CIABATTA

This Italian white bread is made from wheat flour and yeast and it’s light, not heavy. It has only been around since 1982 so it’s a relatively new sensation.

BRIOCHE

Puffy, with a golden, flaky crust, its origins are in the French pastry realm. Made with eggs and butter in the mix, this bun is rich and tasty.

PRETZEL

This bun is baked in the traditional pretzel knot shape and comes to us from Germany. Love soft pretzels? You’ll adore this great alternative to the ordinary.

Peruse your local bakery for more options and find one that makes your heart sing!

Want to mix it up a bit? Then try one of these buns on the grill next time it’s burger time. Slice it in half, put the inside down on the grill and leave for 10 seconds. You’ll have a toasty, tasty bun for that delicious burger!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.