Bring out the flags! Strike up the band! It’s Independence Day, and there’s lots of places to celebrate in our neck of the woods.
Hot enough for you? Brea’s Country Fair at City Hall Park includes swimming at the Plunge, a pancake breakfast, live entertainment, kiddie parade, dog parade, classic car show, food, games, exhibits and handmade gifts.
In Fullerton head to the Downtown Plaza for a car show, carnival rides, games, food booths, live music and spectacular fireworks. La Habra’s festivities at La Bonita Park include fireworks, live music, kids’ activity booths and food and retail vendors.
At Veterans Park, the Yorba Linda annual Fourth of July Spectacular will feature a live band, family activities, kids fun zone and food trucks.
Entertaining at home? Why not? July 4 is probably the grilllingest day of the year.
You’ve barbecued chicken on a beer can. You’ve grilled your Thanksgiving turkey, not to mention burgers, veggies, fish, even tofu. But even if you haven’t done any of those things, it’s time to get smoking, people!
“Wood smoke contains hundreds of flavor-enhancing compounds,” notes Steven Raichlen, in “Project Smoke” (Workman, $22.95). “I call wood smoke the umami of barbecue. Like umami in Asian foods, it accentuates the intrinsic flavor of meats and seafood and gives them more character, but when done right, it doesn’t really camouflage their taste.”
When it comes to grilling no one tops Raichlen, author of a veritable library of award-winning cookbooks, including “The Barbecue! Bible,” “How to Grill” and “Planet Barbecue!” He’s also host of multiple PBS series.
With “Project Smoke,” even a novice can learn how to smoke meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables and, believe it or not, desserts.
“The wood variety matters less than how you burn it,” advised Raichlen. “The flavor of the smoke varies from wood to wood, but it varies subtly, and it’s certainly not literal. That is, cherry wood smoke doesn’t…
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