What’s cooking, everyone? I’ve got a slew of scrumptious ideas, including a few that might be just right for your 4th of July table. P.S. If you need more holiday inspo, check out these Five July 4 Menus plus tips for having people over.
SALMON BURGER LETTUCE WRAPS WITH SRIRACHA LIME DRESSING
I’m a superfan of these lettuce wraps as a quick fix for supper with an Asian flair. They start with frozen salmon burgers that get tucked into lettuce with crunchy veggies, avocado, and a tangy/spicy sauce. The meal is on the lighter side, so if you have hearty eaters, throw an extra burger or two in the pan or do up a side of steamed rice.
BEEF AND MUSHROOM BLENDED BURGER
Lighten up your 4th of July burgers by doing a blend of beef and mushrooms. I think they’re tastier than just plain beef. Just add your favorite buns and any toppings, maybe with this summer potato salad on the side. I posted a demo a while back of how these burgers are done. Find it over on Instagram.
LAZY GIRL’S ENCHILADA PIE
Built on a foundation of summer produce, now is a great time to make this simple enchilada casserole. I call it “lazy” because you layer all of the ingredients instead of rolling up each individual enchilada. Any Mexican sides are fair game: sour cream, guacamole, pinto beans, extra salsa. A salad on the side adds nice crunch.
POUNDED CHICKEN WITH TOMATO, OLIVE, AND AVOCADO SALAD
This is one tasty and very healthy summer supper. It’s light and easy enough for everyday cooking, but is also the sort of dish I’d serve guests. As for side dishes, a loaf of crusty bread and simple green salad would do if you want to keep things simple. I also like this Watermelon Wedge Salad as well.
EGGPLANT MEATBALLS WITH TEMPEH IN TOMATO SAUCE
Even though you can buy eggplant year-round, it’s never better than it is during the summer. It’s also excellent in these vegetarian meatballs paired with homemade or store-bought marinara sauce. Heat up a baguette to set on the table for sopping up all the goodies.
WILD BLUEBERRY SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIE
This purple powerhouse is so lip-smackingly tasty, you’d never guess it’s packed with super foods: blueberries, chia seeds, coconut water, kefir, and the list goes on!
EASY ICE CREAM PIE WITH CHOCOLATE CRUST AND TOFFEE BITS
This is always in the rotation during the summer, and is often our dessert-of-choice on the 4th of July. It has just five ingredients, requires no baking, and can be assembled and stashed in the freezer under 20 minutes.
SHOPPING LIST
Salmon Burger Lettuce Wraps
3 ounces dried rice stick noodles
1 heaping cup shredded carrots (use pre-shredded for ease)
1 1/2 medium ripe avocados
1 large head Romaine or butter lettuce
2 scallions
4 four-ounce frozen salmon burgers
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon sriracha
1 tablespoon lime juice
3 Persian or ½ English cucumber
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
Beef and Mushroom Blended Burger
1/3 pound cremini or white button mushrooms
3/4 pound lean ground beef
Four whole grain Flatout Foldits (or favorite burger buns)
Lazy Girl’s Enchilada Pie
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red or yellow onion
2 medium zucchini
2 ears corn or 1 1/2 cups frozen corn
1 lime
Nine 6-inch corn tortillas
One 15-ounce can low- or non-fat refried black or pinto beans
One 15-ounce can mild green enchilada sauce
2 cups coarsely grated Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese (6 ounces)
Pounded Chicken with Tomato, Olive, and Avocado
1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large clove garlic
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/3 heaping cups cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh basil
1 cup castelvetrano olives (or other favorite meaty olives)
1 small ripe avocado
2 scallions
Eggplant Meatballs with Tempeh in Tomato Sauce
1 1/2 pounds eggplant
6 ounces tempeh
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup shredded Pecorino cheese or vegan Parmesan
1/3 cup dried currants
3 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Easy Ice Cream Pie
3 cups vanilla ice cream (1 1/2 pints) (use dairy free “ice cream” for a DF version))
20 chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Newman Os or Oreos (use gluten-free sandwich cookies for a GF version)
2 tablespoons butter (use melted coconut oil for a DF version)
3/4 heaping cup chocolate toffee, such as Tcho, Heath, or Skors bars
1/3 cup chocolate fudge sauce or syrup (homemade or store-bought)
Superfood Blueberry Smoothie
1 cup plain kefir or plain yogurt
¾ cup coconut water, plus more if needed
1 frozen banana, cut into thick slices
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 small ripe avocado
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
1 to 3 teaspoons hemp or chia seeds (optional)
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