Red, White and Blue Snacks To Fire Up Your Fourth!
by April Pascarelli
It is hard to believe that six months have already flown by this year. Yet, here we are, amidst a summer haze and days away from the 4th of July. And now that things have normalized a bit and cookouts are making a comeback, it's time to talk food.
Whether you are the hostess with the mostest or a pumped-up partygoer, there is something very satisfying about preparing festive food. From beautiful red, white and blue salads to delicious summer spreads to decadent desserts, the ideas go on and on. You wouldn’t show up empty-handed, and if you are hosting, well, here’s a few ideas to take some things off your plate. Get ready to dig in (puns intended)!
Faithful Fruit Salad
This one is a no-brainer and a regular go-to. No recipe needed! Cut up some watermelon, dice up a little bit of jicama, and slice up a handful of strawberries. (Sliced banana or apple could work as well but will oxidize and brown pretty quickly.) Toss in your blueberries, and voila! Feel free to enjoy as is, or drizzle a bit of honey and a dash of coconut sugar on top. Then eat up, and enjoy! You can even take it up a notch with colorful fruit kabobs! Pop a piece of watermelon and ripe strawberry on a skewer, then layer with a banana slice, and top it off with a couple blueberries. Repeat this until the skewer is full. Now, how’s that for a sweet treat?
Festive Fruit Pizza
A fan favorite because it’s fresh, fun, and drool-worthy! If you are short on time and want to cut out making this from scratch, snag your favorite pre-made dough for a place to start. Immaculate Baking makes a good organic one, and Sweet Loren’s is vegan and gluten-free (you will want to knead the dough as it comes individually prepared for cookies). Roll out the dough into a traditional circle or rectangle, if you’re going for the full-on flag, and bake for the instructed time. Once it cools, spread on your favorite non-dairy cream cheese (or dairy if you prefer). Now top with your strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, bananas, etc. If you would rather the step-by-step and want a good recipe, give this one a try. Swap out for substitutes as needed, and feel free to leave out the extra add-ins (aka, sugar) with the cream cheese “frosting". If you are trying to keep things simple yet need gluten and dairy-free options, here is another recipe for you.
No matter which route you go, you can bet that your pizza has seriously never tasted so sweet!
Big Blue, Red, and White Salad
When it comes to greens, the opportunities are endless! Fill up on fiber, nutrients, and healthy fats, and you’ll be less inclined to pick at the traditional party “junk” food. Grab some mixed greens, toss in some walnuts, and add in your cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, blueberries, and (or) strawberries! Sprinkle in a little shredded (vegan or non-vegan) cheese to give the extra white color and yummy taste. And as for the dressing, a light vinaigrette works well when pairing with summer salads. Here are a few easy, light, and simple recipes to try.
Tried and True Trail Mix
An easy option is the loyal trail mix. Grab a big bowl and throw in raw cashews (as is or toasted in the oven for about 10 minutes, or buy the pre-roasted and save yourself the time), dried strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, and coconut. If you want to up the antioxidant power, add in some raw chocolate. Cacao nibs work great for this - not to mention they are free of sugar and give a boost to your bloodstream with plant-based iron. Other add-in options are peanuts, dried cherries, banana chips, raisins, nuts, and seeds. The possibilities are endless!
Non-Dairy Yogurt (or Whipped Cream) Parfaits
Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are where it’s at for this holiday. They also work well in creating a delicious and patriotic parfait! Grab some reusable glasses or cute little cups and layer from the bottom to the top with your berries, granola, and non-dairy yogurt or whipped cream alternating for your red, white, and blue theme. \
Patriotic Popsicles
Okay, so these may take a bit more effort, but they are oh so perfect for the 4th of July or any time you want to spark some patriotic enthusiasm! If you’ve got some popsicle molds and (or) sticks, you’ll be good to go with just a few simple ingredients. America’s favorite berries are the perfect go-tos once again for celebrating the land of the free. If you have strawberries and blueberries on hand (organic if possible as these are both thin-skinned fruits that top the list of the “dirty dozen”), then you’ll only need a few more items to complete your frozen pops. You will need some coconut milk yogurt (or Greek yogurt if that’s your preference), a banana, and a pinch of a natural sugar substitute. Maybe opt out of the food coloring and unnatural dyes and enhance the color of the fruits naturally. You could add a squirt of beet juice to brighten up the red and a touch of lemon juice (or blue spirulina powder) to balance out the blue. Here’s a good popsicle recipe to give a go!
So, try one, two, or all of the above (and please let us know if you do)! While you’re at it, send along any other Independence Day ideas that you whip up for your family and friends. In the meantime, stay cool, and dry this weekend. We may need a rain dance to nudge Mother Nature toward some sunny skies. But regardless, have a safe, healthy, and happy 4th of July!
Looking for something else that is blue?
Check out our new Blue Hawaiian Bowl featuring a base of mango, pineapple, banana, almond milk, dates, and blue spirulina, topped with banana, pineapple, coconut flakes and honey.
