Easy, No-Bake 4th of July Recipes
Here are a few quick, easy, no-bake recipes and simple ideas that are sure to be crowd-pleasers!
A twist on the “Strawberry Spinach Salad.”
Layer spinach (and other ingredients you want to include, such as walnuts and grilled chicken) in a 13” x 9” cake pan. Horizontally facing, outline a 4” x 4” square with blackberries or blueberries and fill in the square entirely. Leave some green around the border, then alternate rows of cubed watermelon (3 rows) and feta cheese (2 rows).
Don’t toss the salad! *Keep the dressing on the side and add as you are ready to eat—this salad pairs well with walnut, poppyseed, or balsamic vinaigrette.Fruit skewers are always a hit! They’re easy to assemble and are a healthy, hydrating treat. Throw in patriotic colors, and you’re all set for the 4th!
Ingredients:
- strawberries
- blackberries
- jicama
- Cut strawberries and jicama to about the same size as blackberries. Thread all three onto a 10” skewer in a red, white & blue pattern. Make in advance, cover, and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Individual Patriotic Mousse Cups
- Add yogurt or tofu (see quick blend together recipes below) mixture to 5-8 oz. clear plastic dessert cups, martini glass tumblers, or tall square plastic dessert cups.
- Thread a fancy toothpick (4.1” or 4.7”) alternating strawberries & blueberries. Place two toothpicks on top of the "white mixture." Make ahead and enjoy.
- Add a small amount of sweetener such as honey, agave, maple syrup, etc., to Greek yogurt and mix.
- Or
- Crush up 2 Vanilla Meringue cookies and fold into the Greek Yogurt.
- Mix 8 oz. tofu with 1/4 cup maple syrup and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Combine ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend to desired consistency. Tip: mix in bananas and/or walnuts to change up the flavor profile.
Other “So Simple” Hacks:
- Patriotic cupcakes - Red velvet cupcakes, white frosting & top with three blueberries.
- Make the recipe for vanilla cupcakes but add “beetroot powder” to make red! Or, use a vanilla base cupcake mix and mix the beetroot powder with the white frosting!
- Use any of the above fruit and mousse mixtures in the suggested size dessert cups and include pound or angel food cake into the layering pattern! ~Make individual trifles!
Firecracker Chicken
Ingredients:- 1 lb chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 1 egg beaten
- ¼ cup Olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/3 cup Hot sauce
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- 1 fresh squeezed lime
- 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds
- Crushed black pepper
- Himalayan Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp water
- Soak the chicken in the egg
- Saute in oil just until lightly browned.
- For the sauce
- Mix garlic, hot sauce, water, lime juice, red pepper flakes, chili powder, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper. .
- Place in a lightly greased casserole dish and cover with sauce
- Bake for 20 min at 350 degrees
- Toss with green onions and serve over brown rice, farro, or grain of choice.
- Note: Can adjust for desired spice level