Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday and Happy 4th of July weekend! I’m so excited. Last year was so hard! It’s going to be wonderful to celebrate the 4th with family and friends this year. My mom flew in from Arizona earlier this week. My aunt is gets in today. I haven’t seen them in almost 2 years. The weather for the weekend here in Wisconsin looks good. I can’t wait for the fireworks, picnics and lots of grilling! It’s going to be wonderful! I’ve already starting cooking up a storm.

I love serving lots of fresh fruit at my parties! Have the kids thread fresh fruit on skewers and make my Fruit Kabob Flag. How cute is this? Serve it with my Fantastic Fruit Dip, just 2 ingredients. So cute, easy and fun!

Speaking of dips, my layered BLT Dip is perfect for summer! If you like a good bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, you’ll love this! Bright and colorful and you can make it ahead. I serve it with pita or bagel chips. So yummy! Click Appetizers for more munchies and dips that will really get the party started!

I can't wait to grill up my summer favorites this weekend! If you’re grillin’ brats, do them my way in a Brat Tub filled with loads of butter, onions and beer. They’ll stay nice and juicy that way!

My mom loves chicken! My Chicken and Veggie Kabobs are always a winner. Great way to use those veggies in the fridge that need using. The two-ingredient marinade makes these extra delicious!

My Best Ever Lemon Chicken really is the best! It's loaded with lots of lemon, garlic, olive oil and white wine! In the summer, I do it in a foil pan on the grill. Make this and you will look like a rockstar for sure!

Want to keep it really easy breezy? My aunt loves my Ham and Cheese Sliders. They are so good!

Get out your slow cooker and make my Sloppy Joes for a Crowd. When it's mealtime, just set the table with a pile of buns and everybody can help themselves. Love that!

Click Dinner, Sandwiches and Slow Cooker for more of my favorite summer recipes.

When it comes to the sides, I made my Broccoli Bacon Salad last night. It goes with whatever you are grilling.

You gotta have potato salad this weekend! My Red, White and Bleu Potato Salad is full of flavor. The bleu cheese and bacon make it extra special!

I make a Mighty Good Macaroni Salad too! Click Salads for more of my super good summer salad recipes.

Speaking of macaroni, the kids will love my Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese. It’s super cheesy and creamy! Click Casseroles for more of my make-ahead summer favorites.

Got a crowd coming or you're going to a potluck? Throw together my Baked Beans in the Slow Cooker. They are AMAZING! Click Sides for more tasty side dish recipes.

For dessert, keep it easy! The strawberries are so gorgeous right now. Bake boxed brownies or pick some up from the bakery and make my Patriotic Dessert Kabobs! The kids can help! So adorable. Tasty too!

My Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries will also look so cute on your 4th of July buffet! Super yummy and way easier then baking a cheesecake. Click Desserts for more fun summer dessert recipes.

More Rooms Added! Join me in Puerto Vallarta this Winter!

I’m so excited to be hosting culinary vacations again! I love summer but winter not so much. Let’s beat the winter blues and spend a week in one of my favorite cities, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! We just got word we are able to secure a few more hotel rooms but they’ll go fast! Time is running out to book this trip. Join me! We’ll stay in a super small (just 70 rooms), 4-diamond luxury beach front resort. All of your gourmet food and wine and top shelf cocktails at the resort are included! We’ll also join local foodies in search of Puerto Vallarta’s freshly made warm tortillas, the ultimate tacos, tamales, amazing fresh seafood, and fabulous cocktails too. It will be whale watching season during this trip. We are currently offering a discount of $140 per person! Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 to book your spot. Click Join The Cooking Mom in Puerto Vallarta to see pictures and get lots more details.

Ireland in April 2022

I’ve always dreamed of going to Ireland! Let’s experience it together! This trip is booking up. From Irish cooking classes, to scone baking, whiskey tasting, a VIP tour of Guinness, and so much more. We’ll do it all. We’ll even stay in a real castle outside of Dublin! I can only take a small group so get your reservation in soon! Click Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland to read more about this trip and find out how to reserve your spot!

Wait List for Italy in September of 2022!

My trip to Tuscany in September of 2022 is sold out. Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at brittany@bonvoyagebt.com if you would like to be on the wait list in case we have any last minute openings.

To find why my trips are so special check out my blog post click Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom.

We also want to know where you want to go! We are starting to plan now for my culinary vacations in 2023! Would you be interested in joining me on Mackinac Island next summer? What about France? A river cruise through Europe? Greece? Scotland? Closer to home eating our way around New Orleans? Wine Tasting in Napa or Oregon? These are all on my bucket list! What about yours? Email me the trips you’d be interested in at info@thecookingmom.com!

Order Amy's Cookbooks!

If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Both of my cookbooks are full color, and each is filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. Lots of secrets, tips and fun stories, too! Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Please Invite Me!

Now that life is getting back to normal, I’m excited to start doing live cooking demos again! I'd love to come to your town and meet you! Tell your library about me. I’ll come do a cooking demo for your company or event too. Click Hire Amy for more ideas for how we can spend time together!

Gotta run! I’ve got house cleaning and grocery shopping to do before my aunt flies in tonight. I promise to post pictures of our weekend! You can always find out what I'm up to on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Check out my videos on YouTube. Follow me!

I’m wishing you and your family a safe and WONDERFUL 4th of July weekend! Cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom