Braces-Friendly 4th of July Recipes for the Weekend!

Jul 2 • 4 minute read

This 4th of July there are plenty of fun, festive foods to eat that’ll keep your braces, and your stomach, happy. Check out our recommended recipes below and get inspired. Whether you’re searching for a patriotic appetizer, entrée, drink, or dessert, Doctor Smiles Orthodontics has got you covered!

Appetizer: Red, White & Blueberry Salad

Ingredients You’ll Need

   8 oz. spring lettuce mix
   1/2 cup sliced strawberries
   1/2 cup raspberries
   1/2 cup blueberries
   1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
   1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
   1 Tbsp. honey
   2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

(Recipe courtesy of thescramble.com)

Prep Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix the lettuce, berries and crumbled cheese. Then, in a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, and oil to prepare the dressing. Season it with a hint of salt and pepper; then toss gently into the salad before serving. (Serves Four).

Entree: Fourth of July Flag Lasagna

Ingredients You’ll Need:

   2 eggs
   1 pound ground turkey (lean)
   1 red onion (finely chopped)
   1 cup chopped mushrooms
   2 1/2 cups marinara sauce
   2 cups fat-free cottage cheese
   1 pint fat-free ricotta cheese
   1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese
   16 ounces cooked lasagna
    noodles
   16 ounces shredded mozzarella
    cheese

For the topping:

Black olives (chopped)
1/2 cup marinara sauce

Recipe courtesy of sheknows.com; adapted from Family Fun)

Prep Instructions:

To begin, cook the ground turkey and onions in a large pan over medium-high heat for about six minutes (until the turkey is browned). Next, add the marinara sauce to the mixture (you may add more than the recipe recommends if necessary). Heat together with the turkey for two to three minutes before removing from the heat.

In a bowl, mix together the eggs, mushrooms, Parmesan, ricotta cheese, and cottage cheese.

Following, in a large greased pan (approx. 9 x 13 inches) begin to assemble the lasagna. First, put down one layer of meat sauce. Top that with a layer of lasagna noodles. Add a layer of the cheese mixture. Finally, sprinkle a layer of mozzarella on top. From there, repeat the process until all ingredients are used (ending with a nice, even layer of the mozzarella cheese).

When layering is complete, cover dish then place it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. Then, remove the cover and allow another 10 minutes to bake.

Once done, remove from oven and allow a few minutes to cool. Finally, place chopped olives in a square section of the upper left hand corner of the lasagna to serve as the “stars” on the flag. Finish by using a small spoon to make stripes along the top of the lasagna with marinara sauce.

Then serve and enjoy! (Serves Eight).

Drink: Independence Punch

Ingredients You’ll Need:

     Cranberry Juice
     Blue Gatorade (Frost Flavor)
     Diet 7-Up (or regular)
     Ice Cubes

    Prep Instructions:

     Fill either a glass or drink dispenser with
     ice. Pour in the cranberry juice.

     Next, you’ll want to pour in the Blue
     Gatorade. However, do it carefully so that
     you’re pouring straight onto some of the ice
     – adding the layer. (If your pour it directly
     into the cranberry juice it will not mix well.)

     Following, pour in the Diet 7-Up. Here, also
     pour onto the ice cubes to prevent the
     liquid colors from mixing. Now, enjoy

(Recipe courtesy of bigbearswife.com.)

***Note: this combo would work with others colors of drinks too. You just need to use drinks with different amounts of sugar, since the resulting variance in liquid density is what makes the stacking of flavors possible.

Dessert: Red, White & Blue Jello

Ingredients You’ll Need:

     1 package (3 ounces) of berry blue
     gelatin
     2 cups boiling water, (divided)
     2 1/2 cups cold water, (divided)
     1 cup fresh blueberries
     1 envelope unflavored gelatin
     1 cup heavy whipping cream
     6 tablespoons sugar
     2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
     1 teaspoon vanilla extract
     1 package (3 ounces) strawberry
     gelatin
     1 cup fresh strawberries, (diced)

(Recipe courtesy of realmomkitchen.com; adapted from Taste of Home.)

Prep Instructions:

Dissolve the berry blue gelatin in a bowl with 1 cup of boiling water, and stir in 1 cup of cold water as a follow-up. Pour this into a 3-quart serving bowl (for mass serving), or divide it into clear plastic cups (for individual servings). Carefully drop several blueberries into the mixture, then refrigerate for about one hour until it is firm.

While that refrigerates, in a saucepan sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over a 1/2 cup of cold water. Let that stand for about a minute; then mix in the cream and sugar. Cook it over low heat (consistently stirring) until the gelatin and sugar are completely dissolved. Once it has cooled to room temperature, whisk in the sour cream and vanilla, then spoon over the blue layer and refrigerate for about one hour until it is firm.

Once the white layer has thickened, dissolve the raspberry gelatin in a separate bowl with 1 cup of boiling water and 1 cup of cold water. Next, pour over a spoon when pouring over the white layer. This process prevents holes from forming in the white layer. Add the diced strawberries into the red liquid. Chill for about one hour until set.

To finish, garnish with whipped cream and additional berries. (Makes eight of the 9 oz cup servings.)

Doctor Smiles Orthodontics hopes you enjoy these recipes and that you and your family have a very happy 4th of July weekend! Go, Healthy Teeth! Go, America!

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