Patch Picks: 5 Finger-Licking Good Fourth of July Recipes

The long weekend means plenty of time to fire up the grill and have a great time in the backyard with delicious barbecue food.

We've put together five can't-miss recipes to wow your guests - and your taste buds this weekend at those Fourth of July cookouts.

If you make one, send us your photos!

Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Apples

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, sliced
• 1 apple - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
• ground cinnamon to taste
• white sugar to taste
• 1/2 cup butter

Directions:

1. Preheat an outdoor grill.
2. In a bowl, toss sweet potatoes and apple slices with cinnamon and sugar. Divide the mixture into four portions, and then place each on a large piece of aluminum foil. Top each with an equal amount of butter. Tightly seal foil around each portion.
3. Place foil packets on the grill, and cook 40 minutes, turning every five to 10 minutes, until potatoes and apples are tender.

Source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Grilled-Sweet-Potatoes-with-Apples/Detail.aspx

Tex-Mex Burger with Cajun Mayo

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 1/3 pounds ground beef sirloin
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup diced white onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 4 slices pepperjack cheese
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• 4 leaves lettuce
• 4 slices tomato

Directions:

1. Preheat grill for medium-high heat. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground sirloin, jalapeno pepper, onion, garlic, 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce using hands. Divide into four balls, and flatten into patties.
3. Lightly oil the grilling surface, and place the patties on the grill. Cook for about five minutes per side, or until well done. During the last two minutes, lay a slice of cheese on top of each patty. Spread the seasoned mayonnaise onto the insides of the buns. Put burgers in the buns, and top with lettuce and tomato to serve.

Source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Tex-Mex-Burger-with-Cajun-Mayo/Detail.aspx

English Truffle

Ingredients:

• 2 (8 or 9 inch) white cake layers, baked and cooled
• 2 pints fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 pint fresh blueberries
• 2 bananas
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds
• 12 maraschino cherries

Directions: 

1. Slice the strawberries and sprinkle with sugar. Cut the bananas into slices and toss with orange juice. Combine pudding mix with milk and mix until smooth. Cut the cake into one-inch cubes.
2. Use half of the cake cubes to line the bottom of a large glass bowl. Layer half of the strawberries followed by half of the blueberries, and then half of the bananas. Spread half of the pudding over the fruit. Repeat layers in the same order.
3. In a medium bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks and spread over top of trifle. Garnish with maraschino cherries and slivered almonds.

Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/english-trifle/detail.aspx

Summer Dessert Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup whipped topping
• 1 firm bananas. sliced
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 (8 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 2 kiwifruit, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup fresh blueberries
• GLAZE:
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar; beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture. Beat well. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Press dough into a greased 12-in. x 14-in. pizza pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-14 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add whipped topping; mix well. Spread over crust. Arrange fruit on top. Combine glaze ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for two minutes or until thickened. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Brush over fruit. Store in refrigerator.

Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/summer-dessert-pizza/detail.aspx

Big Ol' Mess, submitted by blogger Evan Walsh:

The Sloppier it gets, the better it tastes

Ingredients:

1 lb. smoked sausage, cut into chunks 
3 jalapeno peppers, sliced 
1 green pepper, cut into bite sized chunks 
1 sweet onion, cut into bite sized chunks 
1/4 cup Tabasco sauce 
1 10-ounce jar sweet-and-sour sauce

Directions:

Place sausage, peppers and onion in a foil bag or skillet. Mix Tabasco sauce with sweet-and-sour sauce in a small bowl and pour over the mixture in the foil bag or skillet and cover/seal with foil tightly. Place on grill and cook on medium heat for about 45 min, turning every 15 minutes.

Makes 6-8 appetizer servings. To serve, use skewers or load onto chunks of crusty bread.