Recipes July 4th Hungarian Vegetarian Appetizers Celebrate America's Great Melting Pot

Good Food

by Benny Balazs
Lifestyle Writer

Simple Hungarian Vegetarian 4th of July Recipes

 

Mason Jar Table Setting, Janis Brett-Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Independence Day is the holiday when we Americans recall the bravery that makes our country great as well as embrace the many cultural influences brought here by legal immigrants who all contributed to the Melting Pot. It's also a day that calls for revelry, quality time with loved ones, and of course, bellies full of great food. 

Hungarian Fried Mushroom, Benny Balazs, MommyBlogExpert.com

No pun intended -- If there’s a place where hungry adults and kids can be truly satisfied, it’s Hungary. More so, when it comes to fried food, Hungarians make the best, and the recipes from the old country in this post are no different. As for all you soccer fans out there, I suggest you work off as much of that pre-game nosh as you can before diving into these delicious Hungarian delights that will bring the 4th of July spirit right to your taste buds.

Time to Make Hungarian Fried Mushrooms, Benny Balazs, MommyBlogExpert.com

We actually are going to be making two tasty vegetarian-friendly treats and both serve the purpose of easing those salivating palates of yours. Each of these are recipes that have been passed down in my family which is Hungarian on both my father's and mother's sides.

The first recipe is Longosh, a classic food that is best described as the Hungarian equivalent of French Fries. They’re easy to make, found everywhere in Hungary, and make for a quick, delicious snack. The second, a favored summer dish in my ancestors' homeland, is fried mushrooms. Hungarian restaurants will often have some type of fried mushroom on the menu to the uniquely light taste that the locals can't seem to get enough of. 

Recipes

Hungarian Longosh, Benny Balazs, MommyBlogExpert.com

Longosh 

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

What you'll need

• Pizza dough is an easy pick you can grab at the market 
• Vegetable Oil is a good choice so that your lángos don't retain much oily taste 

1. Cut pizza dough into pieces around the size of your palm.
2. Pull at edges of each piece, stretching the dough out -- not to worry about eveness
3. Grab a pan and add vegetable oil, when it’s heated, drop in pieces,one by one
4. Fry lángos until golden brown on both sides, carefully remove from pan
5. When done, drop onto a plate with paper towels, to soak up excess oil 

You can put all kinds of toppings on these bad boys. Classic Hungarian cuisine calls for sour cream or garlic, which bring this dish to the more savory side of things. If that’s not your pot of pie, you can just eat them plain, as they taste quite amazingly delicious on their own.

Hungarian Fried Mushrooms, Benny Balazs, MommyBlogExpert.com

Hungarian Fried Mushrooms

Prep Time: 25 minutes 

What you’ll need

• 20 White Mushrooms
• 3 Eggs
• Flour (Whole Wheat/White)
• Breadcrumbs (Flavored/Plain)*
• Salt
• Vegetable Oil 

* A blend of flavored and plain breadcrumbs is recommended so as to not overwhelm this dish's delicate taste

Mushrooms cleaned & hollowed, Benny Balazs, MommyBlogExpert.com

1. Clean the mushrooms by peeling that thin layer off the heads of each one 
2. Remove the stem from mushrooms, since you’re going to use that newly made pit as the housing for toppings
3. Coat mushrooms in flour, which should have some salt added  
4. Whip the eggs up then dunk floured mushrooms into that mix, which should also have some salt added to it 

Breaded mushrooms ready to fry, Benny Balazs, MommyBlogExpert.com

5. Next cover as much of each mushroom as possible with breadcrumbs. It should stick easily to the now eggy surface.
6. Plop them carefully into hot oil in frying pan, and cook until golden brown on both sides. 
7. Drop onto a plate with paper towels on it to absorb excess oil. 

Always use fresh produce, Benny Balazs, MommyBlogExpert.com

California Guacamole Topping

As good as these fried mushrooms taste on their own, the recipe I like best as a Californian includes guacamole, which is one of the most complimentary toppings for the dish. Don't be tempted to buy ready-made guacamole at the store, this recipe is ridiculously easy and only takes a few minutes to make and is way more savory. 

What you'll need

•  ½ of a purple onion, chopped 
• ¼ bundle of fresh cilantro
• 2 avocados
• 2 medium-sized whole tomatoes
• ½ a lime, squeezed
• Pinch of salt
• ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground lemon-pepper

Mix all of these topping ingredients together in a bowl, adding more avocados if more thickness is desired. Place spoonfuls of guacamole on top of each fried mushroom and take a bite into the fantastical world of fried heaven!

Unicum from Hungary, Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Both these fun fried food recipes are just a small taste of the ever-so-rich Hungarian cuisine, which happens to be one of the greatest parts of this Eastern European culture. These treats make for perfect appetizers to feed family and guests while you fire up your Fourth of July BBQ.

Benny Balazs, MommyBlogExpert.com

You probably won't have any leftovers either, because these are destined to be a pure gastronomical delight all around. Once you serve these, just sit back, enjoy your celebration and get ready to hear the compliments fly.

A special thank you to my Dad for editing my photos for this post and to my Mom for helping me whip up these succulent appetizers in the kitchen!

Jó étvágyat! (Bon Appétit!)

Shot Glass from Budapest, Hungary, Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

About the Author
Californian Benny Balazs comes from a Hungarian family on both sides and describes himself as a writer by day and a singer by night. A newly-minted graduate, he received his high school's top music award, was a member of an a cappella group, editor in chief of a student literary magazine and originated/wrote a newspaper column as well a school play.  Following his passion for performing and literary arts, he hopes to join an a cappella group soon and aspires to write a book.

Please Leave a Comment And Share
Try these recipes out and then tell us what you think. Also feel free to share how you are honoring your family's cultural lineage this Fourth of July.

FTC Disclosure: No compensation or payment was associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Safety July 4th Fireworks Can Be Poisonous if Handled or Accidentally Swallowed by Pets + Kids

Safety 

Fireworks have traditionally been synonymous with the 4th of July. While just about everyone agrees they are usually pretty beautiful, most of us know they can also be downright dangerous if not used with the proper level of caution.

MommyBlogExpert Original Video




Here's something I wasn't aware of, and that you might not know either. Simply handling unlit fireworks can present danger because -- though the majority of fireworks exposures are not poisonous -- chemically, firecrackers and other pyrotechnics can potentially consist of toxic potassium nitrate or perchlorate, sulfur or chlorine, carbon, starch and metals (that produce the colorful effects).

Chinese firecracker assortment, Image provided by CPCS

This holiday season the California Poison Control System (CPCS) warns parents to keep fireworks away from children and pets who may accidentally ingest them because they are often small and come in colorful packages. 

I'd add that, unlike edible food items, ingredients of fireworks don't have be listed on product labels by law and it's best to err on the side of caution because you can never be quite sure if the fireworks you're using were manufactured with unsafe toxic materials. Also, keep in mind that even if they don't put the actual object in their mouth or eat them, unignited fireworks can be hazardous if a kid simply touches them because unwashed hands often end up in or near their mouth and they might ingest poisonous residue without either of you realizing it.

Firework novelties in a kinds of shapes and sizes, MommyBlogExpert.com

“While traumatic injuries involving the hands, face and eyes during 4th of July celebrations are well-documented, toxicity due to fireworks is less common but can also result in illness or death,” says Dr. Stuart Heard, Pharm.D, Executive Director, CPCS.  “For example, some kids mistake ‘snake’ fireworks for gum.”

The statistics are alarming. In 2009, poison centers across the country received more than 1,000 calls about exposures to fireworks and explosives. Of those, more than 750 involved children younger than six years old. 

“If you suspect that your child or pet ingested fireworks, immediate medical attention is needed,” Dr. Heard advises parents and caregivers. 

Most importantly of all, follow all of these CPCS Safety Tips when enjoying backyard fireworks with your family, kids and friends.

Hen Laying Egg Firecracker is cute but could be toxic, MommyBlogExpert.com

What to Do in Case of Poisoning

In case of an accidental poisoning, consumers should immediately call 1-800-222-1222 (same number is good in all 50 states) for advice. Pharmacists, nurses, physician-toxicologists and poison information providers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help. In most cases, poison exposure can be safely managed in your home, avoiding a call to 911 or a visit to a crowded hospital emergency room. Many parents think about contacting the poison control services only in case of an emergency, but experts are available to answer questions any time.

Image from CalPoison.Org

About California Poison Control System (CPCS)
As a non-profit CPCS offers a range of information and free resources. Learn more about the various poison issues by following CPCS on Facebook and on Twitter.  Sign up for weekly safety text messages to your cell phone by texting TIPS to 69866. You are also invited to download a free iPhone and Android app, Choose Your Poison published by the University of California San Francisco.  

Please Leave a Comment And Share
What other ideas do you have about this important topic? Have you ever been involved with a fireworks poison incident or know someone who has? Feel free to leave a comment and tell us.

Have a Safe, Happy July 4th!

Enjoy the show, Image provided by CPCS

FTC Disclosure: The content for this post and some of the images here were sourced from CPCS. MommyBlogExpert is sharing this safety information as a public service, however in the event of any questions or an accident readers should contact 911 or the fireworks poison control experts at CPCS for advice and emergency assistance. No compensation or payment was exchanged in association with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Parents Intro to Kids Videogames, Consoles

Video Games

A Guide for Parents

by Benny Balazs

MBE Lifestyle Writer

Young boy test driving game console

 

Finding the Best Options for Your Child

For you parents out there wondering about getting your kids into the world of video games, and are unsure of how to begin, this post could be quite helpful. I have been an avid gamer for most of my life, and through my personal experiences growing up, I've learned just about everything that’s needed for a kid to have a fun and healthy lifestyle with games.

There’s no way around it. Videogames cost money and every year they cost more and more. You would have to put down at least $500 for the newest in gaming tech, such as the XBox ONE or PlayStation 4, and individual games average around $60 at release. So, if dishing out that much cash isn’t an issue, then you can go full throttle and buy your child the top notch stuff.

XBox ONE Consoles on In-Store Display

Are video games worth investing in? 

If you are on a budget, though, and your gamer is just starting out, I'd suggest getting some older generation hardware. Your kid doesn’t need the newest games to have fun and be entertained. If your child is young, and still new to videogames, I would suggest a handheld console such as the Nintendo 3DS. This is a fun, simple, and overall child-friendly gaming device that satisfies most kids’ needs for entertainment. But the best part is it's mobile, making this portable device perfect for long plane rides or road trips and keeping children busy while traveling for hours.

The best model of the 3DS, the 3DS XL, goes for $199 retail, but if you want an even better deal, you can always opt for the 2DS instead. The 2DS is a budget version of the 3DS that is designed for kids. It is extremely durable, built to sustain damage, and unlike its brother models, is built as one piece, without a foldable top portion that could get snapped off if your youngster is too rough. This way your kid can rough-house the device, and it’ll hold up pretty well, for the discounted price of $130 retail. 

Infinity is popular with Kids

Tips to Save on Video Games, Equipment

Want to save even more money with older generations of gaming equipment and game purchases? Then you might want to check resources such as eBay and Craigs List where you'll find prices that are way below retail. Also worth investigating: major store chains like GameStop that buy, trade and sell refurbished gaming equipment and also offer a huge selection of previously owned, gently used video games.

Mommy Blog Expert's son, the gamer

Stay Tuned

Future posts in this series will cover everything you want (and need) to know about videogames for your children. Upcoming topics include an explanation of the ESRB rating system, a shopping guide to headphones, cables and other gaming accessories, as well as a discussion of how young is too young for your child to start playing with video games, and more.

About the Author

Californian Benny Balazs comes from a Hungarian family on both sides and describes himself as a writer by day and a singer by night. A newly-minted graduate, he received his high school's top music award, was a member of an a cappella group, editor in chief of a student literary magazine and originated/wrote a newspaper column as well as a school play. Following his passion for performing and literary arts, he hopes to join an a cappella group soon and aspires to write a book.


FTC Disclosure: No compensation or payment was received in association with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.