Sweeten Up Your 4th of July With These Patriotic Desserts
June 30, 2023
Posted: August 27, 2021 11:17 am
Labor day is so close, we can almost taste it, meaning that any and all plans should be centered around one thing: Food. Surely on a holiday created to pay tribute to the sacrifices and contributions of American workers, the last thing you really want to do on that day is- well- work. Due to the relaxed vibe this day entails, few things rival a classic, laid back American cookout. While your standard cheeseburger is great in every sense of the word, elevating your culinary expectations on this day can only make it sweeter, especially if what you are craving is easy to make. Grab your tongs and indulge in some easy Labor Day recipes that are anything but labor intensive.
You have probably been there: You are craving something sweet, but the thought of pulling out the mixing bowls and setting the oven results in you reaching for that ice cream carton instead. This fruit dip recipe combines only a few ingredients, including cream cheese, butter, marshmallow fluff, and frozen whipped topping. Pair it with your favorite fruits (apples, grapes, and pineapples are the best) and you will be as relaxed as you are satisfied this Labor Day. Who does not love a recipe that calls for only four ingredients anyways?
Some of the greatest dishes can be made the night before in installations, allowing for plenty of downtime in between. Cucumber salad is a classic side that can be consumed in large quantities, guilt free. The night before the holiday, season your cucumbers with salt and let them sweat for at least an hour or overnight. Next, drain that liquid and toss the cucumbers with sliced red onion. In a saucepan over high heat, you will then combine white vinegar, sugar, and water until the sugar dissolves. This step takes about only five minutes. Pour this mixture over your cucumbers and onions, add in some chopped dill, and put your salad in the fridge until it is as chill as you are. Seriously, this recipe takes a few minutes of work and results in a lifetime of bliss on the fork!
Perhaps one of life’s most simple pleasures is a delicious dip. Often easy to make, dips can range from sweet to savory and, when consumed enough, can fill a person up until a main course is served. As previously mentioned, recipes with only four ingredients are superior and this Dijon bacon dip validates that. Mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, prepared horseradish, and bacon bits mix for a savory treat. Best served with pretzels, this crowd pleasing recipe will steal the show on your laidback holiday.
With so much food to enjoy, it is important to stay hydrated as well. While water seems like the easiest option, treating yourself to a bit more flavor this Labor Day is only fair. Raspberry iced tea is easy to make and undoubtedly refreshing. Grab a pitcher of water, some tea bags, sugar, and raspberries and you are good to go. Of course, you can always substitute the raspberries for blueberries, blackberries, or even peaches.
What makes this recipe for garlic garbanzo bean spread so great is that it really only requires one step, a step in which a machine does all of the labor. Olive oil, garbanzo beans, parsley, lemon juice, salt, green onion, and plenty of fresh garlic simply need to be mixed in a food processor or blender. Once everything is incorporated, transfer this dip into a bowl or pan and refrigerate it until you are ready to eat. Scoop this time saver with some fresh vegetables, pita or tortilla chips, or pretzels.
A salad and a sandwich is a classic lunch combo that few can pass up. Easy to make and even easier to eat, this iconic duo is timeless. The only thing that can make this meal better is to combine the two totally. That’s right: A cobb salad sandwich is what you need this Labor Day. Begin with all of the fixings for a cobb salad, including Romaine lettuce, mayonnaise, hardboiled eggs, deli turkey meat, bacon, avocado, onion, and some crumbled blue cheese. Next, pile them on some thick bread and you have yourself a unique meal that takes about ten minutes to make after the eggs are boiled.
Perhaps the most classic fare for a special occasion is deviled eggs. Most people have a recipe for them, but in keeping with the theme of simplicity, the easiest way to make these pockets of happiness is to, of course, start by boiling some eggs. Once you are able to peel and cut the eggs, scoop the yolks into a bowl and begin mashing them up. To the yolks, add some mayo, vinegar, yellow mustard, salt, and pepper. Once you mix everything together, scoop or pipe the yolk mixture back into the eggs. Garnish the finished product with some smoky paprika and appreciate this recipe that takes less than half an hour to create.
What is better than buying some ingredients and only having to put them on a stick? Caprese salad kabobs are as aesthetically pleasing as they are tasty and only require four ingredients, not including the stick you put everything on. Fresh basil, thick chunks of mozzarella cheese, plump cherry tomatoes, and balsamic dressing are all you need for this refreshing snack. Spear everything on a stick, drizzle the balsamic glaze on top, and you are good to go. If you feel up to it, you could also lightly grill these kabobs.
Conclusively, what you eat on a holiday does not need to be labor intensive. When you simply want to relax and enjoy the day without reaching for the chips or driving to the nearest fast food place, pull out some recipes that require minimal effort and boast maximum flavor. Less labor meals for Labor Day is the way to go this season and maybe for the rest of the year.
June 13, 2023
May 10, 2023