This weekend we can truly celebrate what connects Ulster and America

Three of the 56 signatories were born in Ulster as well as John Dunlap, originally from Strabane who produced the first printed version. Many others had links to Ulster and the strong links between here and America have always been strong.

The Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh is 50 years old this year and this weekend they’re having a festival to bring to life the stories, skills and traditions that connect Ulster and America, offering visitors a chance to explore the influence that figures from here have had on the America we know. There’ll be music, interaction and I’ll be cooking all weekend. I first visited the Folk Park when I was at primary school and I’ve been a frequent visitor since. I can still remember walking past a field of corn connected to a house replicated as one the earlier settlers from here would have lived in. Early emigrants to the new world brought recipes and cooking implements to their new home. Flour as they knew it wasn’t available and they supplemented cornmeal instead. American cornbread is most likely a Scotch Irish invention born out of necessity and the need to use buttermilk from butter making.

In April 1719, sixteen Presbyterian Scotch-Irish families settled in New Hampshire in two rows of cabins along West Running Brook easterly of Beaver Brook. Initially known as Nutfield, the settlement became Londonderry in 1723. In their first year, a field was planted, known as the Common Field, where the white potato was first grown in North America. A sign marks the spot where the settlers from Ulster introduced this iconic crop to the new world.

For a great dish to mark 4th of July I’ve included one for barbecued spatchcocked chicken with a Memphis rub, a beer butter and grilled green beans. It’s based on beer can chicken but without the waste of a good can of beer. Instead the liquor is whizzed into a butter with honey, mustard and ketchup to baste the chicken. The chicken has a dry rub placed on it first and some it is used to season green beans. Green beans are great on the grill and then tossed into a dressing with some red onions. Have plenty of bread on hand to mop up the juices.

For something sweet I’ve taken the iconic American flavour combination of apples and blueberries and combined them in a cobbler. Use frozen blueberries – they’re cheaper and more flavoursome. The topping is like a buttery sponge that you dollop onto the fruit. Bake until golden and bubbling and serve hot with some cold ice cream.

Happy Fourth of July!!