Flavors for the 4th….

Nothing epitomizes summer more than a picnic or barbecue on July 4th. Here’s some healthy and fun ideas to make yours:
For a healthy holiday dish for the grill this weekend here’s one of my favorite salad recipes: easy to make, quick, healthy, and includes some grilled veggies!
A recipe for a simple, refreshing Greek salad on hot summer days. Try grilling the tomatoes and red onion slices for some added flavor to this classic summer salad.
Grilled Greek Salad
You will need:
1 large beefsteak tomato cut into 1/2″ slices
1 large red onion cut into 1/2″ slices
1 cucumber split lengthwise, de-seeded and cut into 1/4″ slices
1 cup pitted kalamata olives
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 head romaine lettuce
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions:
Brush the tomato and onion slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a hot grill and cook for one and a half minutes per side to achieve grill marks. Cut the slices in half and set aside while you assemble the dressing.
Fruit Skewers are a fun idea and healthy as well:
Make a patriotic dessert with strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, banana slices and cherries. Alternate fruit pieces on skewers in ed white and blue colors and serve fresh!
Refreshments:
Serve freshly squeezed lemonade over fresh strawberries.
Serve freshly brewed iced tea with fresh orange slices and fresh mint leaves.
Cold Pasta Salads;
Toss cold pasta with red and green peppers, cherry tomatoes, yellow or green zucchini, chopped red onion to add a rainbow of color.
Grilled veggies:
Cut up fresh veggies, marinate in a dressing made up of 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, fresh parsley and minced garlic. Marinate for 10 minutes, place sliced veggies on skewers and grill till tender.
Hope to see you at one of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking School events:
Thursday, July 9th- Whole Foods Market, 6:15 PM- The Basic Art of Italian Cooking presents The Outdoor Kitchen with Celebrity Chef Maria Liberati, Recipes for the picnic and the beach all tasty, fun and easy. Samples and recipes provided. Call store at 215-481-0800 to register or for more info or email events@marialiberati.com
July 11th-Chestnut Hill book festival book signing and cookbook panel -2 PM at Magarity’s on Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill. For more info email:events@marialiberati.com
July 16th- Whole Foods Market Culinary Center, Annapolis Maryland, 7 PM for more info call store or email events@marialiberati.com
July 18th- Whole Foods market, Fairfax Virginia, Tuscan Picnic and Wine Pairing at 1:30. Call store to register or email events@marialiberati.com
July 30-August 2nd- Atlantic City Food & Wine Show, Bally’s Casino for info email: events@marialiberati.com
For your copy of the bestselling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking go to www.marialiberati.com
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