Celebrate Your American Pride with Healthful July 4 Foods

by Joanna McFarlane
Modern Menus

In the week ahead we celebrate the July 4 th holiday, which commemorates the day in 1776 that the American colonies declared themselves independent of Britain (for the history junkies out there, it is when the Continental Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence). The day serves as an important reminder that we are a free nation under the rule of no other.

No matter if you’re going all out or just laying low, we have plenty of suggestions for tasty patriotic-themed foods to be served at your 4 th of July party.

Red foods:

Apple slices with honey
Red peppers (grilled on kebabs)
Tomatoes chopped with onion and basil, served with olive oil
Watermelon slices

White foods:

Potato salad
White bean dip with whole wheat pita chips
Grilled chicken or turkey breasts
Mushrooms (grilled on kebabs)

Blue foods:

Blueberry soup – see our recipe below
Eggplant (grilled slices or on kebabs)

Of course, while we hope you enjoy our Independence Day recipe ideas (or coming up with some of your own), remember the more colorful foods you eat in general, the better. Scientists have shown that the substances responsible for colors in fruits and vegetables help protect them – and consequently, you – from chemical damage.

Blueberry Soup

Four simple ingredients for this delicious, refreshing blueberry soup. Served hot or cold, our blueberry soup is wonderful as an afternoon snack, a light supper, or as the first course to a formal dinner.

2 qt. blueberries

8 oz. pasta

dash ground cinnamon

sugar, to taste

Pick over and clean blueberries, removing all stems and leaf debris. Place blueberries in a large soup pot and add enough cold water to barely cover berries. Bring blueberries to boil and reduce heat to a slow simmer. Simmer for at least 15 minutes allowing for berries to soften.
While soup is simmering, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, about 8 minutes.
When the soup is ready, season to taste with a dash of cinnamon. Add sugar only if necessary, adding a small amount at a time and adjusting to taste.
Serve soup hot or cold over well-drained pasta.

From everyone at Modern Menus, have a fun and safe holiday!

Article submitted Wednesday, June 20, 2007 & read 151 times.

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» left by Jeff (4 years 234 days ago.)

Some great ideas - thx!
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