It’s time to start thinking of fun things to serve on the most patriotic of holidays – the 4th of July!

Try these USA-inspired meal ideas and whoop it up this Independence Day!

BLEU CHEESE BURGERS

Color is of utmost importance with your 4th of July presentation. So try some colorful burgers with white onion, ketchup/tomato and a sprinkle of bleu cheese. You may have to hunt to see the blue – but, hey, that’s half the fun!

LAYERED PATRIOTIC DRINKS

For a fun red, white and blue-colored drink, start with ice cubes that will appear white, pour cranberry juice on the bottom of a clear glass or cup, then add blue G2 Gatorade on top. You’ll have patriotism in a glass!

DELICIOUS FLAG CAKE

Chef Ina Garten’s gorgeous flag cake (seen above) features all of the beautiful colors of the American flag. What better way to show your appreciation for our country? Click here to see the recipe and ingredient list for this beauty.

Then, have fun coming up with your own ideas using the red, white and blue theme. Get the kids involved, too. It’s more fun that way! Happy almost 4th, everybody!

Photo courtesy of FoodNetwork.com.

Do you know Ree Drummond, Pioneer Woman?

If you don’t, you’ll want to get to know her. She’s something of a sensation, cooking up amazing recipes and sharing them with the world.

Her recipe for grilled ribeye steak with onion-blue cheese sauce has to be the richest, creamiest steak accompaniment out there.

So. Yeah. You have to try it.

Click here for the full recipe and the most beautiful photographs that will have your mouth watering before you even begin cooking.

Enjoy your steak – frontier style!

Photo courtesy of ThePioneerWoman.com.

Let me just be the first to say that I don’t normally like recipes with the word “surprise” in them.

It conjures up images of mystery meat or something sinister.

But THIS surprise is a GOOD surprise.

This Salisbury Steak recipe includes bleu cheese in the center.

A burst of unexpected flavor that says, “Hello, taste buds!”

But in a good way.

Check out the recipe here and let me know what you think. Can you really ever go wrong with ground sirloin?

I think not.

Enjoy this surprise!

Photo courtesy of Sandi via Food.com.