We had the flesh of swine, cooked slowly by the family patriarch using the smoke of a felled hickory! RIBS, Baby! 
Along with apple pie, cole slaw, french fries, and jalapeno poppers.
Picnic food of all sorts, although I swear, it seems like I’m nearly the only one who ever cooks anymore instead of just grabbing something at the supermarket. Ours was in the park, with no grill, so everything had to be cooked beforehand or not at all.
We had various cold cuts for sandwiches, homemade salsa, tortilla chips, white bean salad with dill and tomatoes, ratatouille, hummus, various raw veggies including some yummy jicama with lime and salt, brownies/chocolate chip cookies, iced tea, pop, lots of water to stay hydrated because it was so Godawful hot today, peach cobbler (brought by one of the guests), and a lovely batch of mango daiquiris (don’t tell; alcohol is illegal on the Evanston lakefront, but we behaved ourselves, I promise…nobody had more than the equivalent of one decent-sized dringk).
It was yummy, but I’m sweaty and covered in bug spray, so I’m off to scrub down…
We had ribs, bbq chicken, brisket, chilled potato salad, baked beans, fresh corn on the cob, watermelon, cake decorated with strawberries and blueberries to look like a flag, key lime pie, peach pie, and lemonaid.
Four families, each family contributing one or two things so no one is overworked. (I slaved all day slicing the watermelon just right. )
Agh! I stopped by the grocery store and there were no boiled shrimp. No time, enroute, to come up with alternatives, so I picked up ~$40 worth of raw shrimp. And a big bottle of cocktail sauce.
I thought, “This is probably a faux pas, but I’ve lived through’em before.” Everybody else brought prepared stuff, in the appropriate serving dish. I brought raw stuff that I didn’t know how to prepare, with no dishes.
Well, I got there, it became obvious, amongst much ribbing of poor Ringo, that the male host would have to show me how to prepare boiled shrimp. And now I know.
First, ya rinse’em off. Then half fill a large pot with cold water and start it on the way to a boil. Then add “more salt than you think you need.” And lemon pepper, and a good little shot of olive oil, and some vinegar to make’em easier to peel.
When the water boils throw in the shrimp boil (“You’ll learn how much with time.” My friend and teacher, Ken, is a South Louisiana native - he threw in a bottle and a half.) The reason you wait until it boils to add the shrimp boil is because it noxifies the air, and you want to keep that to a minimum.
Then in go the shrimp, in large handfuls. Whoops! Missed! Looks like we’re grillin’ one.
They sink. The water reboils and soon, they rise. They’re done. Kill the heat and throw in enough ice to make it possible to stick your finger in without damage. Drain, serve.
They were great! The ribbing died down and the kudos began.
Hmmm…, what do I want to get Ken to show me how to cook next year?
BTW, this part of Texas was not lacking for rain, but it cleared in time for the firecracky show.
And all I had was chicken, mixed nuts and a bowl of cereal:( . But then again, I’m from Canada!
Looks like you all had a great time (at least in the culinary department)…and thanks for the recipe, Ringo;).
We’re actually having our barbecue the fifth instead of the fourth, since we found out our nephew has leave from Fort Bragg this weekend, and is coming up to join us.
I’ve made baby back ribs with Jack Daniels barbecue sauce, and homemade minted limeade. Mrs. Dave-Guy is contributing a key lime pie. Other foods include a London Broil, some kind of chicken to grill, portobello mushrooms, eggplant, and pineapple to grill, and an assortment of refreshing beverages.
This is sort of a family reunion and birthday party (my niece was born on July 5) as well as an Independence Day barbecue.
Lots o’ food, lots o’ family. Lots o’ fun!
Grilled chicken, using my secret recipe, tortilla chips, brewskis, potato salad, corn on the cob, green salad.
I think some form of grilled meat (ribs, chicken, steaks, or hamburgers and hot dogs), potato salad, corn on the cob and beer are the only essentials for a 4th of July BBQ. Maybe watermelon should be added to the list, but we didn’t have it this year and on one seemed to miss it.
I went to a party as the “friend of a friend.” The host didn’t know I didn’t eat meat. When I avoided the chicken/shrimp/veggie kabobs and she asked why and I explained, she grilled me up some veggies, which had been marinated and were very good.
I also had baked beans, cole slaw, mixed salad, and a huge hunk of watermelon. Salted. When lead to a discussion of the SDMB.
Later at home I had a diet ice tea/lemonade mix and a pint of lemon sorbet.
Good God! I don’t particularly like watermelon in the first place. Although I do like salt. I guess I’d be torn…
A pint of lemon sorbet. Now, that’s more civilized.
An oldie but a goodie:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=32275&highlight=watermelon+salted
Note that I was the first one to admit commiting this unforgivable sin.
I DO salt my pickles, mind you (which certain people also consider to be an abomination, BTW). Cheese (the mild cheddar type) and peanut butter too, of course.
Salt on watermelon is a must!
As is the watermelon seed-throwing contest. Take one between your thumb and index finger and let fly - my father could pop one at you that would leave a bruise, I kid you not. We used to cut the watermelon into four long parts and eat it while we watched airplanes in our back yard. He passed on 9 years ago, and I miss him and cherish those memories.