Fire Up for the Fourth

Content provided by our sponsor: Manda Fine Meats

No one throws a party like south Louisiana, and that holds true when we celebrate the red, white and blue. This year, wow your family and friends by planning a July Fourth celebration that fetes food from across the U.S.A.

Baked Hawaiian Ham Roll

Hawaii is the youngest of these United States and is made of eight main islands and hundreds of others spread over 1,500 miles of the Pacific (second conversation starter; you can thank us later). The tropical island chain is most closely associated with the sweetest berry of the bromeliad family — pineapples (I bet cousin Dale with all his fancy degrees didn’t know that one). Pineapples’ sweetness pairs up nicely with salty, savory ham and cream cheese on a unique sandwich that’s sure to please.

Baked Hawaiian Ham Roll

• Sliced Manda ham
• Crushed pineapple
• Cream cheese
• Buns

1. Mix the pineapple with the cream cheese.
2. Spread that mixture onto both halves of the roll and add ham.
3. Bake the entire sandwich in a 350-degree oven until the bread is crisp (about 5 minutes).

Pineapple & Sausage Kebobs

Here’s another way to combine the sweet and savory of Louisiana and Hawaii, this time by grilling Manda sausage and pineapple.

Pineapple & Sausage Kebobs

• Manda sausage
• Whole pineapple
• BBQ sauce
• Cane syrup
• Shish kebob skewers

1. Peel and core the pineapple.
2. Slice the pineapple and the sausage into 1-inch pieces. Put the pieces on skewer, starting with pineapple and alternating between each item.
3. Make a glazing sauce of one part BBQ sauce, one part cane syrup.
4. Grill the kebobs for 2-3 minutes per side, brushing with the glazing sauce.

Grilled Cajun Cheesesteak Sliders

Now it’s time to venture north, to the land of the cheesesteak and the home of the Liberty Bell, which rang in E-flat. Traditional Philadelphia cheesesteaks are made with thinly sliced beef, onions and peppers slathered in cheese. What kind of cheese? Well, that’s a matter for debate — Whiz, American and provolone are all served in the City of Brotherly Love. You pick your favorite. We won’t judge.

Grilled Cajun Cheesesteak Sliders

• Manda roast beef
• Cheese
• Potato rolls
• Onion
• Bell pepper
• Remoulade sauce
• Olive oil

1. Dice the onion and bell pepper and wrap in aluminum foil along with a drizzle of olive oil.
2. Grill the foil pouch until the vegetables inside are cooked (10-20 minutes).
3. Slice the potato rolls in half lengthwise.
4. Prepare your sliders with roast beef, cheese, grilled onion and bell pepper, and remoulade sauce, then place them on the grill over indirect heat until the bread is crisp and the cheese is melted. You may place the sliders directly on the grill or wrap in foil.

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