It's a couple of weeks away, yes, but it's never too early to plan ahead for the 4th and your vacation to the Resort! Seven layer dip is a huge hit over the Holidays! This is a lighter version using nonfat refried beans and hummus in place of full fat refried beans and sour cream. The cheese is also reduced fat. You can do what you want, but check this one out courtesy of Mariah's Pleasing Plates:

LIGHTENED UP 7-LAYER DIP

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (14 oz.) nonfat refried beans

Have you ever heard of them? It's a cross between a banana and a s'more. Just split a banana about 2/3 of the way down (through the skin and the actual banana), pry it open, stuff it with toppings, wrap it in foil, and place it over the campfire!

You can make any kind of banana boat you want. Try stuffing in some milk chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and sprinkle it with Golden Grahams. Or, bump it up a notch and go the peanut butter route. Stuff in some peanut butter (peanut butter chips might be easier) and regular chocolate chips. Or if you really want to get crazy, make a strawberry hazelnut banana boat with strawberries, Nutella and chopped hazelnuts...YUM!

Honestly, is there a better combination in food than S'Mores? Thought you might be interested in another easy recipe for S'Mores dip in a cast iron skillet that you can make right over the open fire. Sure, you can cook marshmallows over the heat and stick a Hershey candy bar piece on the graham cracker and do it that way, but......when you can make an entire cast iron skillet full??? Enjoy!!

Ingredients

• Four Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars

• Graham Crackers

• Marshmallows

Well, in theory, a fish meal that you catch from our fresh spring-water lake sounds fantastic! But, in the event you don't get that lucky, keep it simple while you're relaxing here in the UP. You're not going to want to spend all your time in the cabin cooking. Crockpot meals or Instant Pot meals make things super easy. Don't forget, the fire pit is also available at the north end of the resort for any meal that you want to prepare there. I think this forum is going to be great for guests to post what recipes have worked for them in the past. I'll start with an easy one you can do over the fire!

FIRE PIT NACHOS

Equipment you'll need: Dutch Oven with a lid, a fireproof mitt, cutting board, knife and can opener.

1 tbsp. oil

1 bag tortilla chips (probably not the thin type. Thes…

Now by local, that may be a bit of a stretch. Nothing is very close to us, but here are several places we frequent that are in our neck of the woods.

Closest to the resort are:

Jack Pine Lodge Bar and Grill http://jackpinelodgeup.com/

Big Spring Inn https://www.facebook.com/BigSpringInn/

If you're near or in Manistique:

Upper Crust Cafe, Bakery and Deli http://lsmith09.wixsite.com/2014-upper-crust