Nothing whets the patriotic appetite like Independence Day! Bring any of the following dishes to your neighborhood potluck or kitchen table and I guarantee you’ll leave with an empty plate.
Red, white and blue salad
This is a crowd-pleasing summertime dish. Top your favorite green salad with fresh blueberries, raspberries, goat cheese or feta crumbs, and toasted almonds or walnuts (if you want to use candied walnuts, that works too!). Make a fruit vinegar vinaigrette (apple cider, pomegranate, etc.): In a pint-sized mason jar, place 1 small chopped shallot, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, ¼ cup fruit vinegar, ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, a good pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Top the jar with the mixture and shake well to emulsify. Use only as much as you need to toss the salad. You want to coat the salad ingredients, but don’t drown them! Store the rest in the refrigerator for the next salad.
Patriotic Krispies Treats
Here’s a great way to use up Trader Joe’s freeze-dried blueberries and strawberries. Make Rice Krispies Treats according to the recipe on the back of the cereal box (or bag of marshmallows). Once the mixture comes together in the pan, stir in a handful of blueberries, strawberries, and white chocolate chips. Pour into a lightly sprayed or buttered 9-by-13-inch pan, let cool, then cut into squares and serve. (Pro tip: I like to crush some of the freeze-dried berries with my hands, which gives the finished treats a sort of tie-dye effect.) If you want to take it a step further, sprinkle red, white, and blue sprinkles on top.
4th Julyth Layer cake
Here’s a fun project to do with your kids! Using your favorite boxed cake mix or homemade cake recipe (it should make 2-9 inch layers), prepare the batter and divide it evenly between two bowls. You can add red food coloring to one and blue food coloring to the other to get the desired color. Keep in mind that the color of the cake batter will lighten a bit as it bakes. Use vanilla buttercream to frost the cake, adding a layer of fresh blueberries and raspberries between the layers. You can decorate the cake with these ingredients after frosting and add a sparkly candle or two for extra pizzazz.
Mini Festive Fruit Popsicles
You will need large strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream cheese, powdered sugar, and small wooden skewers. In a bowl, mix 1 container of whipped cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar (or to taste). Pour into a piping bag fitted with a star tip and set aside. Rinse and dry the berries. Cut the bottom off each berry to make a base, then cut off the green top. Using a pointed spoon or melon baller, make a small indentation in the top of each berry. Spoon some of the cream cheese mixture on top and top with a large blueberry. Insert a skewer into each blueberry and push it all the way to the bottom of the strawberry. Place it on a platter with the handles facing up so it is easy to pick up and eat.
Ice cream sandwiches
Another recipe that can be store-bought or homemade. You’ll need cookies, softened vanilla ice cream (or coconut sorbet or other plant-based frozen treat if you’re vegan), and red, white, and blue sprinkles. Place a scoop of ice cream between two cookies and gently press the cookies together with even pressure to distribute, then roll the sides in the sprinkles. Place on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for at least an hour or two before serving. Once refrozen, you can store leftovers (as if!) in sealed plastic bags in the freezer.
Here are some other great red, white, and blue foods to get you in the holiday spirit!
Food Network’s Fruity Flag
What is Gaby Cooking 4th from the July Mix
Smitten Kitchen’s Famous Flag Cake
Creative Ramblings Red, White and Blue Layered Cocktail
