4th of july 2025 menu and recipes

 SPICY WATERMELON SALAD with cilantro 

jalapeño

 and lime 

1/4 of a watermelon – cut into wedges or large dice 
handfull cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeño, thinly sliced toasted in cast iron pan or raw
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup for vegans

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch of red chili flakes 
Flaky sea salt and extra red chili flakes for garnish

GREEN SALAD WITH ROASTED GREEN BEANS AND CHERRY SHALLOT DRESSING 

DRESSING - mix in a jar and hold to serve
▢1/3 cup minced shallots
▢3 1/2 TB Sherry wine vinegar or champagne or red/white wine vinegar
▢handfull fresh oregano chopped
▢1 1/2 tsp salt
▢1 tsp maple syrup
▢1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
▢1/3 cup oilve oil 
▢1/3 cup dried tart cherries
▢Kosher salt

SALAD - mix together add dressing in right before serving 
▢1 pound green beans roasted with salt and olive oil 15 minutes 
▢1 large head of lettuce - torn in medium size pieces 

1 head lacinato kale - torn and massaged with olive oil and salt

handfuls of nuts and seeds: sliced almonds, walnuts, pepitas, sunflower seeds  

* other greens: arugula, spinach, blanched cabbage 

GRILLED CHICKEN DRUMS 

marinade asain style: 

6 cloves garlic , minced

2 tbsp lime juice 

8 coriander stems and leaves 

2 tsp finely chopped red chili - used jalapeno on hand

1-2 TB lemon grass

1-2TB ginger 

3 TB fish sauce

1 TB soy sauce or tamari 

2 TB Chinese cooking wine or sherry, sake, rice wine vinegar  

1 tsp sesame oil

2 tbsp honey 

1/4 teaspoon cayenne 

Grill till done.... that's my spouses job

Hibiscus pineapple mocktail 

hibiscus flowers in boiling water. 

pineapple juice

lime juice 

Cut lemons & oranges

Sweetener of choice to taste 

ice