4th of July Freedom Menu (and a new recipe)!

On the 4th of July as we celebrate Independence Day of the United States, we should of course remember all those who are not free, humans and non-humans alike. And we should set an example for how easy and essential it is to liberate oneself from a lifestyle filled with cruelty so that one day all who live can truly be free.

Summer get-togethers are a perfect place to set a shining example of compassion choices. For no longer do we need to attend a cook-out and be left-out, eating a plain ear of corn or lettuce leaves that have wilted under the sun. No longer do we have to pass up every salad dish laden with mayonnaise turning bad in the heat.

No longer do we need to haul a box of frozen, processed veggie burgers to the party and place that small, flat, hard patty on a clean (we hope) corner of the grill next to all the big, juicy burgers. No longer do we have to forego big, hearty sausages because all the vegan ones in the stores contain gluten.

Black-Eyed Pea and Kidney Bean-Walnut Burgers

 No, we can celebrate summer and be compassionate and healthy all at the same time! Freedom from animal products, freedom from gluten, freedom from feeling out of place. Now we can be the envy of others, the LIFE of the party, and a reminder that FREEDOM should belong to EVERY being, EVERYDAY.

Gluten-Free Spicy Italian Sausage

4th of July Freedom Menu

Main Dishes, Burgers & Sandwiches

Grilled Tofu Veggie Kabobs

Grilled Tofu Veggie Kabobs

Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant Steaks

Tempeh Fish Tacos

Gluten-Free Pizza

Gluten-Free Pizza

Gluten-Free Spicy Italian Sausages

Kidney Bean-Walnut Burgers

Black-Eyed Pea Burgers with Mississippi Comeback Sauce

Buffalo Lentil Burgers

Chickpea Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

Scallion Corn Cakes

Tempeh Reuben Sandwiches

Tempeh Reuben Sandwich

Salads and Sides

Fiona's Favorites Moroccan Salad with Parsley-Dill Dressing

Avocado Mango Arugula Salad with Cilantro Citrus Dressing

Grilled "Chicken" Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons

Mango Avocado Salsa

Mango Avocado Salsa

Warm Black Bean Edamame Salad

Massaged Kale Salad with Pesto, Dried Cranberries and Almonds

Aduki Bean Salad

Aduki Bean Salad

Black-Eyed Pea Salsa

Orange Fennel Salad with Agave Mustard Dressing

Mediterranean Salad with Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette

Red Cabbage Lime Slaw

Zesty Lime Corn

Tempeh Fish Tacos with Red Cabbage Lime Slaw and Zesty Lime Corn

Dijon Grilled Potato Salad with Arugula (recipe below)

These are just some ideas. There are many more on the blog so check them all out. Whatever you decide to make, have a very happy, healthy and compassionate 4th of July (and summer)!

Dijon Grilled Potato Salad with Arugula

Ingredients

1 ½ lbs. small red and Yukon potatoes, halved or cut so they are all the same size

2 Tbs. Dijon mustard

2 Tbs. raw apple cider vinegar

2 Tbs. agave nectar

2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp. dried dill

Salt and pepper to taste

1 Tbs. capers

2 tsp. vegetable oil

¼ medium-sized red onion, thinly sliced

2 ribs celery, chopped

1 bunch arugula

Directions

In a medium-sized saucepan, parboil the potatoes until they are just fork-tender. Allow them to cool to the touch.

Meanwhile, prepare the dressing. In a large bowl, combine the mustard, vinegar, agave, oil, dill, salt, pepper and capers and mix well. Set aside.

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly coat with oil. Place the potato halves on the grill pan, cut side down. Cook about 4 minutes until they are browned, then turn over with tongs to cook the other side. You should have nice grill marks on them.

(Note: you don’t have to do the grilling step but I like the appearance of the grill marks on the potatoes plus it makes them crispier).

Add the potatoes into the dressing and toss until the potatoes are coated. Add the onion and celery to the bowl and mix well. Serve on a bed of arugula or alternately, you can mix the arugula into the potato salad. Serve warm or cold. Enjoy!

The "V" Word: Say it. Eat it. Live it.