There’s nothing quite like celebrating the nation’s independence while also dining on grilled food and snacks. To that end, the following are a few recipes worth trying at your July Fourth celebration.

Bacon-wrapped hot dog recipe

Taste of Home

Total time: Prep: 25 min. Grill: 10 min.

Ingredients

• 12 bacon strips

• 8 beef and cheese hot dogs

• 8 bakery hot dog buns, split and toasted

• 1/4 cup chopped red onion

• 2 cups sauerkraut, rinsed and well-drained

Optional condiments: mayonnaise, ketchup or Dijon mustard

Directions

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until partially cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain; cool slightly. Wrap 1-1/2 strips of bacon around each hot dog, securing with toothpicks as needed (do not wrap tightly, or bacon may tear during grilling).

Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil four inches from heat for six to eight minutes or until bacon is crisp and hot dogs are heated through, turning frequently. Discard toothpicks. Serve hot dogs in buns with onion and sauerkraut; top with condiments of your choice.

Yield: 8 servings.

Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Taste of Home

Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup cooked chicken breast

• 1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce

• 1/2 cup ranch or blue cheese salad dressing

• 2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

• French bread baguette slices, celery ribs or tortilla chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread cream cheese into an ungreased shallow one quart baking dish.

Layer with chicken, wing sauce and salad dressing. Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with baguette slices, celery ribs or tortilla chips. Yield: about 2 cups/16 servings.

All-American Hamburgers Recipe

Taste of Home

Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

• 2 tablespoons chili sauce

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• 2 teaspoons prepared mustard

• 4 slices American cheese or cheddar cheese, halved diagonally

• 2 slices Swiss cheese, halved diagonally

• 4 hamburger buns, split and toasted

• Optional: lettuce leaves, sliced tomato and onion, cooked bacon strips, ketchup, mustard

Directions

Combine first five ingredients, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four patties. Grill burgers, covered, on a greased rack over medium direct heat until a thermometer reads 160 degrees and juices run clear, about six minutes on each side.

During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with two triangles of American or cheddar cheese and one triangle of Swiss cheese. Serve on buns; if desired, top with lettuce, tomato, onion, bacon, ketchup or mustard. Yield: 4 servings.

Red, White and Blue Frozen Lemonade

Taste of Home

Total time: Prep: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup lemon juice

• 1 cup sugar

• 4 cups ice cubes

• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

• Maraschino cherries

Directions

Place lemon juice, sugar and ice in a blender; cover and process until slushy. Divide blueberries among four chilled glasses; muddle slightly. Add lemon slush; top with cherries. Yield: 4 servings

Patriotic cupcakes

Taste of Home

Total time: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Ingredients

• 1 package white cake mix (regular size)

• 1/2 teaspoon blue food coloring

• 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

• 1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting

• Red, white and blue sprinkles

Directions

Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions for cupcakes.

In a small bowl, combine 1-1/3 cups batter and blue food coloring. In another bowl, combine 1-1/3 cups batter and red food coloring. Leave remaining batter plain.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups with two tablespoons red batter, two tablespoons plain batter and two tablespoons blue batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost with vanilla frosting; decorate with sprinkles. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.