I may be a weirdo, but the Fourth of July is easily one of my favorite holidays. For one, it's all about celebrating our nation (which is still great, despite your politics) instead of celebrating a particular religious holiday. I love the feeling of community and inclusiveness that comes with this holiday. I love the parades and sparklers and the food, oh goodness, the food!
I am sure that your typical Fourth of July feast varies based on where you live--for instance, I'm sure there are more salmon on grills around the Northwest and more clam bakes on the East Coast. Around my place, it's veggie burgers, potato salad, some type of grain salad (Bob's Red Mill represent!), corn on the cob, watermelon . . . somebody stop me! I always make way too much food for our small little family.
Because I can't make all the recipes that I want to, I've rounded up five of the side dishes I wish I could make. Maybe between all of us, we'll have everything covered.
Be the hero of your shindig with my personal favorite summer salad,
Vegetable Bounty Quinoa Salad. Don't let the long ingredient list scare you--this is such an easy recipe to make, it just requires a lot of chopping! Hey, that's what kids are for, right? This is the recipe that will convert quinoa haters. This beauty is vegan and gluten free.
So
you just need a quick and easy recipe to take along and you want to blow people away? Take this
Tahini Cabbage Slaw from
Naturally Ella. It's so fast to whip up and will seriously stop folks in their tracks when they taste it. This salad shouldn't even share a table with deli coleslaw. It's in a class of its own. Bonus: it's vegan and gluten free!
Our
Lemon Mint Freekeh Salad is
light and refreshing, while still big on flavor. This is our twist on traditional tabbouleh and pairs well with any summer meal. It's vegan, but if you want to make it gluten free, swap the freekeh (green wheat) for brown rice, quinoa, or sorghum.
You love potato salad, but
you want to bring something a bit healthier than conventional potato salad. Besides, conventional is so boring! This mayo-less
Herbed Red Potato Salad from
Cookie and Kate is just the ticket. Not only does skipping the mayo make it vegan friendly, but it also provides a nice break from the traditional heavy potato salad. We love this because it's quick to whip up and it's naturally gluten free. Add a splash of color by using some purple potatoes, as well.
Finally, if
you want something that is not a savory salad, but you still need something quick, easy and light, this
Fruit Salad with Lemon Coconut Whipped Cream from
The Roasted Root is a refreshing, sweet treat that everyone will enjoy. It's gluten free, vegan (opt for agave instead of honey) and paleo-friendly.
Be the hero of your shindig with my personal favorite summer salad, Vegetable Bounty Quinoa Salad. Don't let the long ingredient list scare you--this is such an easy recipe to make, it just requires a lot of chopping! Hey, that's what kids are for, right? This is the recipe that will convert quinoa haters. This beauty is vegan and gluten free.
So you just need a quick and easy recipe to take along and you want to blow people away? Take this Tahini Cabbage Slaw from Naturally Ella. It's so fast to whip up and will seriously stop folks in their tracks when they taste it. This salad shouldn't even share a table with deli coleslaw. It's in a class of its own. Bonus: it's vegan and gluten free!
Our Lemon Mint Freekeh Salad is light and refreshing, while still big on flavor. This is our twist on traditional tabbouleh and pairs well with any summer meal. It's vegan, but if you want to make it gluten free, swap the freekeh (green wheat) for brown rice, quinoa, or sorghum.
You love potato salad, but you want to bring something a bit healthier than conventional potato salad. Besides, conventional is so boring! This mayo-less Herbed Red Potato Salad from Cookie and Kate is just the ticket. Not only does skipping the mayo make it vegan friendly, but it also provides a nice break from the traditional heavy potato salad. We love this because it's quick to whip up and it's naturally gluten free. Add a splash of color by using some purple potatoes, as well.
Finally, if you want something that is not a savory salad, but you still need something quick, easy and light, this Fruit Salad with Lemon Coconut Whipped Cream from The Roasted Root is a refreshing, sweet treat that everyone will enjoy. It's gluten free, vegan (opt for agave instead of honey) and paleo-friendly. 