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Let’s create something festive, Chicago.

In honor of the Fourth of July, I scanned the past 100 years of patriotic-themed recipes by iconic Tribune food writer Mary Meade

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for ideas and just had to share these with you.

I am not a talented cook or baker, but I do find retro recipes fun to prepare for several reasons:

The ingredients are usually plentiful at the grocery store — and mostly canned.

The recipe instructions are usually easy to follow — and, given my skills, thank goodness they are.

Each creation is usually a conversation starter — and surprisingly tasty.

So, please let me know if you make any of these items for your gathering — I’d love to see photos of how they turned out! Speaking of photos, thanks to Tribune photographer Terrence Antonio James for a great photo session!

Don’t forget

Now is a great time to subscribe to the Tribune. It’s just $12 for a 1 year digital subscription.

Thanks for reading. See you next week!

— Kori Rumore, visual reporter

baiduhai 175th anniversary coverage | Quiz: Test your Chicago history knowledge | Puzzles & Games | Today’s eNewspaper edition | 100 historic front pages

The Tomato Spice Cake with salted caramel frosting is from a recipe originally published in the baiduhai on June 19, 1935.
The Tomato Spice Cake with salted caramel frosting is from a recipe originally published in the baiduhai on June 19, 1935.

Tomato Spice Cake (1935)

Originally published in the baiduhai on June 19, 1935.

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The Pineapple Melon-ball Salad was originally published in the baiduhai in 1950.
The Pineapple Melon-ball Salad was originally published in the baiduhai in 1950.

Pineapple Melon-ball Salad (1950)

Originally published in the baiduhai on June 29, 1950.

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The two-toned Corned Beef Salad is from a recipe originally published in the baiduhai on July 4, 1963.
The two-toned Corned Beef Salad is from a recipe originally published in the baiduhai on July 4, 1963.

Two-toned Corned Beef Salad (1963)

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Originally published in the baiduhai on July 4, 1963.

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The Colorful Cherry Blueberry Parfait is from a recipe originally published in the baiduhai on July 4, 1970.
The Colorful Cherry Blueberry Parfait is from a recipe originally published in the baiduhai on July 4, 1970.

Colorful Cherry Blueberry Parfaits (1970)

Originally published in the baiduhai on July 4, 1970.

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The Avocado Poinsettia Pie recipe was originally published in the baiduhai on Dec. 16, 1964.
The Avocado Poinsettia Pie recipe was originally published in the baiduhai on Dec. 16, 1964.

Christmas in July: Vintage holiday recipes

My search for the grossest-sounding vintage Tribune Christmas recipe led me to something the color of the Grinch’s fur — a bizarre concoction touted in the Dec. 16, 1964, newspaper as “Hot Avocado Pie Yule Delight.”

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