With the celebration of our country’s day of independence a week away, we here at the Simple Life wanted to share with you our top 5 Independence Day recipes. These simple recipes are sure to have you and your guests’ taste buds booming more so than the fireworks!
1.) Chilled Watermelon Steaks with Feta and Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
6 slices watermelon 4″ x 4″ x 3/4″
2 Tablespoons crumbled Feta cheese
15 leaves fresh basil, chopped (or chiffonade)
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
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Directions:
1. Arrange watermelon “steaks” on a plate, as desired.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, salt, pepper and garlic. (Alternatively you can blend these ingredients in a small food processor to emulsify the mix…but I really don’t use big words so early in the week. I usually stick to four-letter words or less on a Monday.
3. Drizzle balsamic dressing over watermelon steaks. Sprinkle with feta crumbles.
2.) Patriotic Chips and Salsa
I was shopping this past weekend and saw the most fantastic Freedom Chips {Red, White & Blue Tortilla Chips}. They pair perfectly with my homemade chunky salsa and will make a fantastic addition to our Fourth of July celebration menu. If you can’t find these festive chips you could substitute blue corn tortilla chips mixed in with traditional corn tortilla chips.
Ingredients:
6 large fresh tomatoes – petite diced
2 cloves of garlic – minced
1 onion (red or white) – minced
1 lime – juiced
2 tablespoon fresh cilantro – roughly chopped
2 small jalapeno – seeded and minced
salt/pepper to taste
*Depending on how many guests you are expecting, exceed the given ingredients.
Directions:
1. Into a bowl add: tomatoes, garlic, onion, lime juice, cilantro and jalapeno. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Serve with tortilla chips.
3.) Barbecue Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Ingredients:
4 beef hot dogs, we like Nathan’s or Hebrew National
2 slices of bacon, apple wood smoked if you have that available.
1/2 cup honey barbecue sauce
Chopped onions, mustard, relish, Sriracha, cream cheese…or any other condiment you enjoy with your dogs.
*Depending on how many guests you are expecting, exceed the given ingredients.
Directions:
Slice the bacon in half lengthwise. Wrap one of the strips of bacon around each hot dog. Place on a cookie sheet and bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the hot dog is browned. Serve on hot dog buns with your favorite toppings.
4.) Santa Maria-Style Tri-Tips
Ingredients:
1 beef tri-tip roast (about 2 lbs)
2 tabelspoons olive oil
4 to 5 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
*Depending on how many guests you are expecting, exceed the given ingredients.
Directions:
Trim excess fat from the roast, but leave a little fat on one side so the meat stays moist and tender during grilling. Rub the tri-tip all over with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Marinate in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours (30 minutes at a bare minimum), or overnight for more flavor.
Sear meat over flames for 2 to 3 minutes on each side to get a nice, dark crust and seal in juices. Cook for another 20 to 30 minutes over low heat to the desired degree of doneness. (Check with a meat thermometer. Roasts go from rare to well-done very quickly, within 10 minutes.)
Remove tri-tip from heat and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice into thin slices and serve with salsa or barbecue sauce.
5.) Lime Ginger Fizz
Serves 12 generously
Ingredients:
1–12 ounce container frozen limeade
4 cups granulated sugar
8 cups water
Club soda or pellegrino
Ginger syrup
Limes for garnish and extra flavor if desired
Directions:
Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan just until dissolved. Add frozen (or thaw it first–doesn’t really matter!) limeaid and mix well. Pour into non-reactive containers and freeze several hours. Transfer from freezer to fridge 30 minutes or so before serving to slightly soften. Either mix entire amount in a large punch powl with club soda, or scoop individually into glasses and add club soda to taste. Drizzle desired amount of ginger syrup onto mixed drink, garnish and serve
Please feel free to copy, paste and print these simple recipes! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!
