As American as ...:

One of the great sights in the Museum of American History in Washington DC (the Smithsonian) is the original ‘Star Spangled Banner’ after which the US national anthem is named.

Regardless of your nationality, it is hard to look at the flag and not feel awed by the history behind it, especially with umpteen versions of the American national anthem playing nearby as part of the exhibit.

The original Star Spangled Banner in the Smithsonian

But what some Americans and international tourists don’t realise until they’re in the Museum – American history scholars would be the exception – is that the Star Spangled Banner flag and anthem are not associated with Independence Day, the American national day, which is being celebrated today.

Independence Day is the day on which the Declaration of Independence was signed by the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the United States in 1776, two days after the original 13 colonies voted to be independent of Great Britain.

The original Star Spangled Banner came from the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Navy 38 years after the Declaration of Independence. (The Brits didn't want to give up that easily). Not long before, Washington City, as it was then known, and its major public buildings had been virtually burned to the ground by the British.

To cut a long story short, Francis Scott Key witnessed the battle and, inspired by the American victory and the sight of the torn and tatty US flag still flying, wrote the words to a patriotic song that became the American national anthem 119 years later in 1931.

Today, only a handful of anthems in the world rival that of the US for instant recognition: Great Britain, France, Germany, Israel and, for some, Brazil.

But if none of that is a surprise, here’s something that may be.

While we may think of something as being ‘as American as apple pie’, that doesn’t necessarily apply on 4^th July. It's the middle of summer, apples are not in season and more seasonal, lighter meals are preferred.

So here’s what a Motherpedia reader from the southern state of Florida, Carole, has sent to us for a typical 4^th July recipe. She told us she's preparing it for her household and wanted us to share it here. It's simple and tasty - and the Tequila cream gives it quite a bit of bounce!

Berries with Tequila Cream

Serves 8

Ingredients

8 egg yolks

½ cup sugar

½ cup tequila

1 cup cream

8 cups assorted berries (eg. blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries)

fresh mint sprigs to garnish

Method

1.  Whisk together egg yolks and sugar in a heavy saucepan; whisk in tequila.

2.  Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 15 minutes or until mixture thickens and coats back of a spoon. (Do not boil.)

3.  Fill a large bowl with ice. Place saucepan in ice. Let custard stand, stirring occasionally, until chilled (about 30 minutes).

4.  Beat 1 cup cream at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream gently into chilled tequila mixture just until blended.

5.  Arrange assorted berries in 8 serving dishes, and top evenly with tequila cream. Garnish, if desired. Serve immediately.

Note: You can make this ahead, by covering and chilling whipped cream and tequila mixture up to 24 hours.