When I think of the July Fourth holiday, I always think of grilling in the backyard. What can be a better way to spend the day than sitting around on the patio while you grill wonderful food and spend time with family and friends! I look forward to it every year.

This week we will look at main dish and dessert recipes for your cookout. Next week we will add the side dishes.

Our first recipe is a barbequed chuck roast. You have to start on this one a day in advance but only to marinate it. You cook it for about two hours. If you slow cook it for three hours, it will almost fall apart, it will be so tender.

The second grill recipe is honey mustard chicken breasts. I love the taste of honey mustard with chicken. The sweet and tangy taste is perfect for any kind of fowl, so hang on to this recipe and try with Cornish hens, too.

The third recipe is my favorite. I have a thing for ribs. This one can starts a day in advance too because you want to marinate it for at least eight hours. The combination of barbecue sauce and applesauce is great. Get a little char on the ribs at the end and you’ll be in heaven!

The fourth recipe is for the kids. It’s not a grill recipe but it’s a Fourth of July recipe because it red, white and blue. The day before your cookout, when the kids are driving you nuts, get the ingredients for this out and let them make the dessert for the kids. It will be fun for them and you. As an added treat, when these are about half frozen, you can stick candy surprises in them, like gummy candy or M&M’s.

The last recipe is dessert for the adults. There is nothing quite like peach cobbler in the summer time. Especially if you use fresh peaches. But, you can make this with canned peaches if you don’t have fresh ones on hand. Top if with some homemade ice cream for a real delight.

No matter what you decide to cook, I hope you have a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday!

BBQ Chuck Roast

1 (5 Lb) Chuck Roast

1 Cup Barbeque Sauce

1 Cup Teriyaki Sauce

1 (12 Ounce) Can or Bottle Beer