The Fourth of July is a great time to spend with family and friends celebrating America’s Independence Day. While all the parties are fun, chances are there will be a lot of great food that is not-so-great for you.
Whether you are hosting or pitching in, here are five easy and healthy Fourth of July recipes your loved ones will love (and may not even recognize as healthy!)
Healthy Fourth Of July Recipe #1: Brownie Batter Dip
Brownie batter dip and the word health in the same sentence? Yup, you read that right. The ingredients speak for themselves, and if you don’t tell anyone, they may never know that it’s secretly good for them.
Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas or black beans
- 2 tbsp regular or dutch cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup quick oats (or almond meal or 1/3 cup flour of choice)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup sweetener of choice, such as pure maple syrup (Sugar-Free Version)
- pinch uncut stevia, or 2 tbsp additional sweetener of choice
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup nut butter or oil of choice
- chocolate chips, and other add-ins if desired
- milk of choice, if needed for a thinner dip
Directions
Combine all ingredients except add-ins in a high-quality food processor until completely smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips before serving. Leftovers can be covered and refrigerated 3-4 days.
Healthy Fourth Of July Recipe #2: Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan Pesto
Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan Pesto will wow your friends and family at any gathering. It is super quick to prepare and can be made the morning of your party so you don’t have to cook it while your guests are with you or when you get to where you’re going.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basil leaves
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 6 zucchini
- Olive oil
Directions
Combine basil leaves, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor; pulse until well-blended. Gradually pour in 1/2 cup olive oil and Parmesan cheese; pulse again. The pesto should be very thick. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper, as desired.
Thinly slice zucchini lengthwise; brush lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle lightly with salt and black pepper. Grill until marked on both sides and tender (about 1 minute per side); remove and cool. Spread about 1 teaspoon of pesto on 1 side of each grilled zucchini slice; roll up and secure with a toothpick.
Healthy Fourth of July Recipe #3: Berry Sangria
Yes, there is a healthier way to make sangria and no, you’ll never go back to the normal sangria again!
Ingredients:
- 1 750-mL bottle Vinho Verde
- 1 cup Sauternes or ice wine
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 star fruit, sliced
- 1 cup chilled plain seltzer
- Ice
Directions
Combine wine, Sauternes, blueberries, strawberries and star fruit in a large pitcher. Refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours. Just before serving, stir in seltzer. Serve over ice.
Make Ahead Tip: Refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Stir in seltzer just before serving.
Check out the nutrition info here.
Healthy Fourth Of July Recipe #4: Mango Chocolate Sparklers
Having something for the kids is always crucial, and if it is healthy, the happier everyone will be! Try these amazingly delicious chocolate dipped fruit on a stick at your 4th of July party.
Ingredients:
- Mangoes- sliced
- Dipping chocolate- milk and white
- Sucker sticks
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
Directions
Slice up your mango, and insert the sucker stick into one end. Melt your milk chocolate and white chocolate in a bowl. Dip the end of the mango stick into the chocolate, and either dip or shower the chocolate end with sprinkles. Lay onto a cookie sheet covered in wax paper and freeze. Bring them out when the kids are ready for a tasty treat!
Healthy Fourth Of July Recipe #5: Grilled Blackberry, Strawberry, Basil, and Brie Pizza Crisps
Wow, that is a mouth-full of a name, but a mouth full is what your friends and family will want of these sweet and savory pizza crisps!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound recipe of your favorite pizza dough
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 16 leaves basil chopped + divided
- 8-12 ounces brie sliced
- 1 1/2 cups strawberries chopped
- 3/4 cup blackberries
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
Directions
Prepare the dough 1-2 hours ahead of time.
As the dough rises, make the honey balsamic glaze. Add the balsamic vinegar and honey to small saucepan and simmer until reduced by half. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside until ready to use.
When ready to grill the pizzas preheat the grill the high heat.
Add the blackberries to a bowl and add about half of the basil. Lightly mash the blackberries with a fork.
Invert a baking sheet and generously dust with flour.
Divide the pizza dough in half and roll each half as thin as you can, but make sure not to rip the dough. Cut the dough into 12 to 16 squares or circles (I did both). Add the olive oil to a small bowl and brush both sides of the pizza rounds with the olive oil and place on the baking sheet.
Carefully add half of the pizza rounds to the hot grill and grill for no more than 2 minutes. The dough will bubble up, this is good! Remove the pizzas using tongs and repeat with the remaining pizza rounds. When all the pizzas are grilled, turn the heat on the grill down to medium.
Top the grilled side of each of the pizzas with slices of brie, but make sure to leave a 1/2 inch border around the edges so the brie does not melt all over the grill. Then top with lightly mashed blackberries and the chopped strawberries. Carefully return the pizzas to the grill and grill for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the brie has melted and the pizzas are crisp. Top with the remaining fresh basil and drizzle on the honey balsamic glaze.
To make the American flag pizza place the blackberries in the left-hand corner of a square pizza crisp and then push the strawberries into the brie in rows. Grill as directed above.
If you’re hosting the Fourth of July bash this year, CleanSpace is here to help you in the Silicon Valley area of California. Call us today to get your appointment scheduled for a house cleaning before and after your big party! We can get your house looking great before your guests arrive for your Fourth of July party and clean up your house after they leave! We look forward to serving you!