Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

I hope you are having a great week! I’m sending out my newsletter a day early so we can all make it an extra delicious and wonderful 4th of July weekend! It’s going to be wonderful to celebrate the 4th with my family this year. My mom flew in from Arizona a few weeks ago. My daughter is flying in tomorrow and my son is driving in too! I’m hoping everyone gets here safely and the weather cooperates here in Wisconsin. I can’t wait for the fireworks, picnics and lots of grilling! I’ve already starting cooking up a storm.

I love serving lots of fresh fruit at my parties. My Fresh Berry Salad with Lime and Mint is so beautiful! It’s nice and light and refreshing on a hot summer day. Perfect for picnics and back yard BBQ’s. If you need to bring a dish to pass, this will be a HUGE hit!

Here’s a fun idea! 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, make sure to 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.

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 LOVE a good pasta salad. My Spaghetti Salad is one of my favorites. Bright and colorful and full of flavor! No time to make your own salad dressing? No big deal. Just use your favorite bottle of Italian dressing to make this salad even easier to toss together. Click Salads for more of my super good summer salad recipes.

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

For dessert, keep it easy. The berries are so gorgeous right now. My All-American Berry Trifle is my go-to every 4th of July! Everyones LOVES it. So pretty! You can make minis too and layer this dessert in pretty wine glasses, small canning jars or even clear plastic cups.

Here’s a another fun idea. 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 cute on your 4th of July buffet! Super yummy and way easier than baking a cheesecake. Click Desserts for more fun summer dessert recipes.

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!

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.

The Cooking Mom Vacations! Let’s Travel Together!

Join The Cooking Mom in Puerto Vallarta in January 2023!

With summer in full swing, I’m sure you don’t even want to think about winter. But, now is the time to plan your escape from the cold and snow! I’ve planned the ULTIMATE winter getaway. Beat the winter blues and join me in beautiful Puerto Vallarta! It’s one of my favorite cities in Mexico. It’s got history, charm, beautiful beaches, and an incredible food scene. I took a group there last winter and it was over the top FANTASTIC! We had perfect weather with sunshine every day. Great news. We were even able to negotiate a better rate on this trip than last year. YIPPEE!

We’ll fly out January 15 and stay 7 nights at the most beautiful small boutique 4-diamond luxury resort right on the beach. This trip is also a really great value because ALL of your meals at the resort, fine wines, beer and even top shelf cocktails will be included. You’ll have the options to join me for an authentic Mexican cooking class, personalized food tours, tequila tastings and even whale watching! Or, you can just sit on the beach and relax. Either way it’s going to be fabulous! We can only take a limited number of people. This trip will book up quick! Click The Cooking Mom’s Culinary Trip to Puerto Vallarta to get the full itinerary and pricing information. You can also call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel (920)725-2880 for more details or email her at brittany@bonvoyagebt.com for more details.

LAST CHANCE to SAVE BIG! Join Amy on a River Cruise in France in April 2023!

Have you ever dreamed of going on a river cruise? It’s the ULTIMATE way to see Europe! Bring on lots of wine tasting, gourmet meals, fresh croissants and pastries and so much more! Join me on a river cruise through Southern France from Burgundy to Provence. In April of 2023, we’ll cruise the Rhone river on a gorgeous new boutique ship with only 150 passengers! It’s first class all the way and it’s a true ALL-INCLUSIVE river cruise, meaning all your food, drinks, and excursions are included. Gratuity too!

Plus, you’ll have the option to stay a couple days after the cruise to experience Paris. It will be spring and the blossoms will be in full bloom. It’s going to be stunning!

We found out that if you book my trip you’ll get another exclusive EXTRA $150 per person discount! PLUS if you book and pay in full by TODAY, June 30th, you’ll save an extra 10 percent!

Click Join The Cooking Mom on a French River Cruise to get all the dates and intriguing details. This trip is going to be so wonderful! Join me! Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel at (920)725-2880 for the new pricing details!

Planning New Trips for 2023 and 2024!

I’m so excited to be hosting AMAZING group culinary vacations! I just got back from an AMAZING trip to gorgeous Mackinac Island for the Lilac Festival. Have you ever been? If not you need to go! Let me know if you are interested in going with me back to the island next summer. Email me at info@thecookingmom.com. I’m planning my trips for 2023 ands 2024 right now. I’ve got more trips coming up. Join in the fun!

To find out more about my trips and what makes them so unique click Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom. Email me the trips you’d be interested in at info@thecookingmom.com! In April I hosted an incredible group trip to Ireland! Would you be interested in joining me on another trip to Ireland in the future? I’m definitely going back. Maybe to Scotland too! I’m planning my trips for 2023 and 2024 right now. Stay tuned!

I promise to post pictures from out 4th of July festivities! You can always see what I'm up to on Facebook and Instagram. Check out my food videos on YouTube, too.

I hope you all have a great weekend. If you are traveling, stay safe! Cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom