The Hawthornes' Fourth of July Menu.

  I know everyone has been wondering,

"What are the Hawthornes having

for their Fourth of July meal?"

Well, wait no more.

 Here's the Hawthornes' Fourth of July meal:

• Grilled Chicken with Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ Sauce doctored with white vinegar to thin it out.

• Mr. Hawthorne's Special Cole Slaw

• Mr. Hawthorne's Kidney Beans

Simmer beans until al dente.

Rinse.

Pour into baking dish.

Sauce:

1/3 cup ketchup

3 TB white vinegar

1 TB yellow mustard

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1 tsp Mr. Stubbs Hickory Smoke

Fry some bacon until crisp.

Pour off grease,

but leave enough to saute 1/3 cup chopped red onions.

Crumble bacon over top of beans, add onions, and sauce.

Blend.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

I refuse to eat canned baked beans, even when doctored,

but this I love.

• Rosie's Black Bean and Roasted Corn Salad with Lime and Cumin Dressing  (Recipe forthcoming.)

It was worth the wait, wasn't it?