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Lamberts Lately: Easy Recipes & Home Organization

🥒 For the Pickle Lovers

Published 24 days ago • 2 min read


Hi Reader!

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The 4th of July is upon us, and if your holiday plans involve a grill, a pool, or a patio, I have a feeling these new recipes are exactly what you’re looking for!

If you’re the person who always asks for extra spears on the side, this week’s new posts were made specifically for you. We aren't just adding a splash of pickle juice here - we are making pickles the star of the show.

This isn't your average, bland macaroni salad. The secret? Tossing the hot pasta in pickle juice the second it’s drained so the noodles actually absorb the flavor. Mix in sharp cheddar, crisp bacon, and plenty of fresh dill for a side dish that usually disappears before the burgers are even off the grill!

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💡 Make-Ahead Tip: If you're prepping salad this the night before - and you should - hold back a small jar of extra pickle juice and a spoonful of mayo in the fridge alongside it. Pasta drinks up dressing as it sits, so right before you head out the door, give it a quick stir with that reserved mixture to bring it back to that perfect creamy consistency. Add the fresh dill at this point too, so it stays bright green and fresh-looking on the table.

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Some call them "Minnesota Sushi," some call them "Lutheran Sushi" - I just call them addictive. With only 3 ingredients (ham, cream cheese, and whole dill pickles), you can whip these up in under 5 minutes. They are the ultimate salty, crunchy, creamy bite that’s low-carb and high-flavor!

​{PIN FOR LATER}​

🍽️ More Cookout-Ready Sides & Salads

Rounding out your 4th of July spread? These are some crowd-pleasing options to add to the table:

A large glass bowl filled with a colorful Italian bean salad featuring chickpeas, sliced salami, diced green and yellow bell peppers, red onion, and pepperoncini. A white bowl filled with creamy pasta salad made with bow-tie pasta, bright red cherry tomatoes, and green peas in a light dressing.
A plate of chopped Italian sub salad served on a bed of shredded lettuce, featuring diced deli meats, cheese, tomatoes, and golden-brown croutons. A top-down view of a creamy chicken salad served on a white plate, mixed with visible pieces of celery, red onion, and dried cranberries, with fresh celery stalks nearby.
  • ​Italian Dense Bean Salad - Hearty, bright, and packed with flavor. A great option for a crowd that includes non-meat-eaters, and it holds up beautifully in the heat.
  • ​Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad - Another creamy pasta salad that travels well and feeds a crowd. The ranch flavor is bold and familiar - always a hit at a cookout.​
  • ​Hoagie Salad - All the flavors of an Italian grinder in salad form. Bold, satisfying, and endlessly snackable alongside anything off the grill.
  • ​Cranberry Chicken Salad - A lighter, protein-packed option that works great as a side or stuffed into croissants for easy summer sandwiches.

I hope your 4th of July is full of good food, good people, and plenty of crunch! 🎆

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Lamberts Lately: Easy Recipes & Home Organization

Leslie Lambert

I love to talk about easy family recipes, home cleaning & organization, DIY projects, productivity, and the occasional battle story.

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