It’s the 4th of July! Independence Day! That can only mean one thing here in America…. OK, not one thing… A combo…
- Heat
- Fireworks
- COOKOUTS and POTLUCKS
Now, you’re a little bit on your own as far as dealing with the temperatures and lighting fireworks, but if you’re straining for ideas of what to bring to your big fat 4th of July cookout, I’ve compiled a few of my festive summer favorites right here:
To beat the heat with a refreshing treat that doubles as a drink, is calorie free, and looks super cute, try a
Frozen Iced Tea Bouquet
A really great, healthy, spicy appetizer that can be served along with chips, tortillas, or even on its own in little cups is
Habañero Shrimp and Jicama Salsa
But do not do not DO NOT forget its wonderful cousin and a nice frosty bottle of Corona:
Shrimp and Grouper Fiesta Ceviche
It has the amazingly refreshing combination of lime and cilantro that sends me packing on a trip down memory lane to Mexico. I lurve it.
Of course, if you’re looking for a meal to grill on the barbeque that is not a hot dog or burger of some form, one of my summer favorites is
Chile Lime Grouper with Rainbow Salsa
Yum! Look at those perfect grill marks!
Of course, you might be looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth at the end of the night. I have so many suggestions for dessert it’s not even funny, so I’m going to keep these suggestions to 4… 4 for the 4th! Ah, now I feel clever…
Patriotic Lemon-Lime Coconut Cake
Well, I mean, come on. It has the work “patriotic” in the title! Plus, it’s totally red,white, and blue, utilizes summer flavors, and the currently in season fruit.
For another red, white, and blue favorite that are easy on the waistline, try these
Triple Berry and Vanilla Bean Cream Parfaits
Or, if you’re like me and you have pounds and pounds of fresh peaches pouring out of the sky, these cupcakes make a wonderful use of the summer fruits
Toffee Peach Cupcakes with Coconut Buttercream Frosting
And last, but of course not least, we have a definite summer favorite perfect for accompanying a warm night and fireworks in the sky. A true summer classic in cupcake form:
Gelatin-Free S’more Cupcakes
I truly hope you’ve found these recipes helpful and that each one of you has a fantastic (and safe) 4th of July!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go get my pyromania on… 🙂
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