This week’s Chopped preview: Star-spangled spaghetti

This week’s brand-new episode of Chopped Season 40, Episode 71 will get you in a booming mood for Fourth of July!  If you think the world’s best chefs can’t get creative with American food, think again.

In America, July 4 isn’t just about the parades, the much needed time off from work, or even the fireworks. It’s a celebration of independence first and foremost, sure. But let’s be honest: What we all look forward to more than anything else is the food.

Burgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw — it’s a free-for-all, the grilling never stops, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We don’t just spend most of the day eating, either. We also take the time to watch other people eat, thanks to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Seriously, watching hot dogs being consumed so quickly is hypnotizing. You try to look away. You can’t.

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• The Big Bake: Holiday season 4 episode 5: North Pole preschoolers
• Great British Baking Show season 14 finale: And the winner is…
• Next Level Chef Season 3 arrives on Fox on Jan. 28

And if you aren’t in the mood for the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations yet this year, don’t worry. Chopped will get you there.

On this week’s brand-new Chopped episode, “Culinary Fireworks,” patriotic cooking rises to a whole new level. Summer has officially begun, and it’s time to take advantage of all the colors and flavors seasonal ingredients have to offer.

According to the episode synopsis:

"“Four chefs prepare for summertime dinners in America using a variety of sunny ingredients including patriotic deviled eggs and star-spangled spaghetti. A clever keg and a new spin on a fair favorite kick off the fun in the first round. Then, the bounty of the second basket includes a cowboy’s dream ingredient and some colorful kebobs. And there’s a bombshell surprise in the dessert basket — can the chefs successfully create something delicious to complete the meal?”"

If you’re looking to put a more creative spin on your July Fourth cuisine, take inspiration from the masters of out of the basket cooking.

Don’t settle for the same old combinations of ingredients this year. Mix it up. Dare to create something that will produce fireworks of flavor in you and your friends’ mouths. You have the freedom to make and consume whatever you want. Use it!

What do you and your family eat and drink on Fourth of July? What’s your favorite snack to munch on while watching fireworks? Share your favorite Independence Day guilty food memories in the comments.

Chopped is back Tuesday night at 9 ET on Food Network.