4TH OF JULY TABLESCAPE AND DINNER

A quiet 4th around here this year. A patriotic tablescape and an easy dinner - the Pacific Northwest has been having record heat so I thought something yummy in the crock pot would keep the kitchen cool.

Red and white checked tablecloth, red charger, some cute dinner and salad plates, patriotic dessert plate - ready for the 4th.

Love the lantern and the ambiance it gives.....

Some more red and two more candles....

And finally I remembered to take out the Mary-Lake Thompson apron and kitchen towel (love her towels) that I bought after the 4th two years ago!!!  That apron is so cute will put the "chef" in the mood to celebrate the 4th!

I am only going to post one recipe for this dinner as I am keeping this pretty simple. The Kitchen Whisperer posted her wonderful recipe for Bacon BBQ Sauce a couple of years ago and it is so worth the effort it takes to make this yummy sauce.  It is good just as a sauce for BBQ, on burgers, etc.  I am going to cut up a pretty good size pork loin for the crock pot, layer a cut up onion and some chopped garlic in the bottom of the pot, add a little chicken broth (and other spices if you like) when it is almost done, drain some of the liquid out of the meat and put in this wonderful sauce - when the pork is falling-apart done I will shred it and add more of the sauce for the sandwiches.

Recipe for the Bacon BBQ Sauce:

Ingredients

Sauce

• 1/2 lb bacon, chopped into 1” pieces
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp garlic, minced
• 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1/3 cup whiskey (Jack Daniels) I buy a airline bottle at the liquor store
• 4 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1⁄3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tbsp dark brown sugar
• 1 tsp espresso powder or 1⁄2 cup strong coffee
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp Spice Rub *See Note

Spice Rub

• 2 Tbsp sea salt
• 1 Tbsp celery salt
• 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp fresh black pepper
• 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
• 2 tsp mustard powder
• 4 Tbsp dark brown sugar

Instructions

1. Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottom pot over medium heat, and add the bacon.
2. Cook, stirring, until the bacon is browned and crispy.
3. Add the onion, garlic, tomato, and spice mix and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes or until the onion begins to soften.
4. Add remaining ingredients, and bring to a low simmer.
5. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
6. Remove from the stove and allow to cool.
7. Transfer to a covered container (I prefer glass) and store in the fridge.

Resource

Cream flatware, Pottery Barn
Gingham dessert forks, Target
Silver napkin rings, Nell Hills, Atchison, KS 
Fluted champagne glasses, Ralph Lauren
Red crystal water goblets, Horchow
Red dinner napkins, Bed, Bath & Beyond
Desert plates, Ciroa
Salad & Dinner plates, District 23
Red lacquered chargers, Centrum 
Lantern, Hobby Lobby
Candle Sticks, Oddity Home Seasonal Christmas Decoration White Crackle Ceramic Candle Holder 4.5"x10.75" Pack2

Thank you for stopping by.