Crazy as it seems, we are rarely home on July 4th, so I haven’t collected much in the way of red, white and blue. Deciding to have a few people over meant trying to get something together that would be holiday appropriate.
Resources here are limited, but WalMart and TJ Maxx saved the day.
When the hubby saw plastic and paper on the table, he was amazed as he thought the days that I’d use such were long gone. Hey, sometimes you do what you gotta do! At least the flatware and the glasses are the real thing and the plastic plates are sturdy enough to be washed and used again.
With little to work with, the centerpiece is a challenge, but some red candles tied with ribbon, paper napkins flared in little white vases and a 99 cent thingy from WalMart are making the table look a bit festive.
Now, I know that traditional fare for July 4 is hamburgers, hot dogs and apple pie, but folks here in Maine don’t get a lot of good TexMex so that’s what we’re having. Carnitas, black beans, rice
and all the trimmings will make for a happy 4th
as will sangria with lots of fresh fruits and juice.
I hope everyone saves room for one of my all time favorite desserts, Flan de las Cinco Leches
which is flan made with five milks. Try it….I think you will like it.
Flan de las Cinco Leches
2 c. sugar, divided
1 1/4 c. milk
1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
1 14 oz. can condensed milk and coconut milk
1 c. whipping cream
10 eggs
1/2 t. vanilla
In a heavy saucepan, melt 1 cup sugar over medium heat until caramelized. Stir constantly or sugar will burn. Pour into a 9″ glass pie plate or pan and, working quickly, tilt pan so caramelized sugar covers bottom and sides. Repeat with second cup of sugar.
In a blender, combine milks, eggs and vanilla until well blended. (This may have to be done in 2 batches. Divide the mixture between the two pans.
Set each pan in a larger baking dish and fill larger dish with water that comes about halfway up flan pans.
Bake in preheated 300 degree oven 1 1/2 hours or until flan tests done. Invert onto a serving plate.
This makes 12 generous servings. For 6-8 cut the recipe by half though you may want to make the extra to have some left over!
Wherever you are, however you celebrate have a happy 4th and give thanks for all the blessings we have in the U S of A.
I so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Joining
Lulu's Musings 
I’ve never made a flan before. I am going to give your recipe a try! You are too kind to share! Thank you!
Stopping by to say hi and peruse your lovely blog. Love the impromptu decorations and menu for your 4th. Looks festive and fun!
Kindly, Lorraine
Hi Lulu,
What a great party and a delicious Flan! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Beautiful and festive! Your flan looks good. I just baked one yesterday too….Christine
I’m glad you posted this flan recipe, Linda. It gives me an idea for tomorrow. We are having a thank you note writing party to do thank you notes after my Dad’s funeral. My best friend and I are cooking Mexican food, and my sister is making sangria. I had not considered a dessert, but the flan is easy enough and will be a great way to top off the meal. (I just hope everybody doesn’t fall asleep after!!! We have TONS of thank you notes to write!!!)
It’s funny how we have even our husbands trained to think paper and plastic are out of the question!!! 🙂 It’s hilarious!!! When my family walked in yesterday, they were shocked to see that there was no tablescape anywhere to be found in the house. My sister had her camera all ready and everything! They couldn’t believe there was a bare table in every room!!!! TRAINED!!! We’ve got ’em all TRAINED!!!!!!! 🙂
Have a good weekend, doll!
Try the flan….you will like it and you’ll win lots of points with your guests. Best thing about it is it’s easy to make.
Trained, not on purpose either cause that leads to expectations.
Very festive table, Linda! And what a great recipe for Flan de las Cinco Leches! And we must of been on the same wavelength cause we had tacos for the 4th instead of grilling. 🙂
Kenley
Delicious! And I love how you have the the “trimmings” in crystal! Lol!
Well, there was a touch of red there!
Awesome hope you are enjoying yourself just north of me 🙂
If it would cool off a bit, I’d like it even better!
I know what you mean I was thinking of heading towards Byron ME and playing in the river for Gold but with so much rain I would loose JT in the current maybe even me so it isn’t worth it. I take the dog and coffee out play frisbee early and water the plants then go back inside. Yesterday I decided to finish weed trimming areas the mower can’t get to boy it was hot!
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that tomorrow the weather starts improving as promised by the Weather Channel.
🙂 Yes I counted on it and mowed as they said rain for 2 days and cooler weather one huge area of weather just slid by us on our northern property line I pray we get just a little rain but want to pass on the lightening
Oh,you have set my mouth to watering! Here in Miami we know all about TexMex and delicious tres leche for sure, but cinco leches?! I’m giving this one a try for sure, sounds heavenly!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Hugs,
Patti
Ah, tres leeches. I make a killer one!
Hope you had a wonderful 4th!…My next dinner party is Tex-Mex themed, so the Flan recipe is just perfect!!…Thanks so much!…love the table and casual is always lots more fun!!!
You may start a trend of setting disposable tablescapes. I was blown away viewing tablescapes at a Caspari store in Charlottesville. I even made pictures and intended to do a blogpost but never got around to it.
That flan sounds yummy. Happy Fourth!
I really did save the plastic plates. They are definitely reuse able.
Ok. Lulu we may have to suspend you from the club. Just kidding. It all looks great and we all make do with what can. My hubby wants me to try that flan.
Happy 4th.
Hey! A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. I laughed when you said that you could wash and reuse the disposable plates. Your crack design eye saved the day. You could put my table together any time! Happy 4th! Cherry Kay
Fun and beautiful table setting! Happy July 4th, Lulu!
I say, who cares if it’s plastic and paper as clean-ups a breeze. Your meal sounds like a party already and save me a bite of that flan! Happy 4th to you!!
Happy 4th of July, Phil and Linda! I want to try that flan!
You got some great red white and blue! Last minute parties can be the most fun! Happy 4th, Jenna
Ha Ha Ha, I bet hubby was worried when he saw the plastic table cloth! With your sense of style, he did not expect to see that. Your setting looks quite festive and I hope the gathering went well. Happy Fourth of July.
TexMex and Sangria sound like a delicious departure for an Independence Day menu! Happy 4th!
The sangria looks lovely…can I invite myself over for dinner? 😉 Happy 4th of July!
Very patriotic colour scheme. Have a great 4th of July:)
Happy 4th of July Day Linda, enjoy x j
What?!?! You’re using plastic plates and paper napkins? Have I rubbed off on you? Wink!
I’d think paper goods are appropriate for a 4th of July celebration. Doubt anyone will notice. They will be enjoying that flan! Yum!
Have a happy 4th………Sarah
I love it! Very festive and pretty.