Easy Flag Cake for Memorial Day in Dallas – If you’re in town this week-end and having a backyard BBQ or pool party, consider this easy and refreshing Flag Cake for your Dallas Memorial Day celebrations.
Easy Flag Cake Ingredients:

2 pints of strawberries/blueberries
1 recipe of your favorite white or yellow cake (mix or from scratch, your choice)
1 1/3 C of blueberries
1 tub of whipped topping
Serves 12

Easy Flag Cake Directions:

1. Mix up and bake your favorite cake mix or recipe. Let cool.
2. Slice 1 cup of strawberries, set aside. Halve remaining strawberries, set aside.
3. Top cake (in pan) with 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1 cup blueberries and all of the whipped topping.
4. Arrange remaining strawberry halves and blueberries on whipped topping to create a flag design.
5. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Potato Salad and Burgers for the 4th of July in DFW: What’s more American than homemade burgers & potato salad for the 4th of July, our favorite summer holiday?

We all love the parades and fireworks, but to many the most fun part is the good ole backyard BBQ with family and friends in Dallas. While you may want to make some hotdogs for the kids, why not make some “fancy” burgers for the adults?

Here’s a twist on the basic burger – make it a bit fancy! If you’re feeling adventurous, try this home made potato salad recipe – sounds yummy!

Beef Burger
Burgers are quintessential American food and how can Independence day celebrations be complete without the favorite food of America? This is an easy burger recipe which will be enjoyed by everyone, from a little kid to an elderly person.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces ground beef
• 4 hamburger buns
• 1 medium sized onion
• 2 slices Swiss cheese
• 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 4 slices cheddar or American cheese
• 2 tablespoons chili sauce

Toppings

• sliced tomato and onion
• mustard sauce
• lettuce leaves
• ketchup
• cooked bacon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven at 160° F. Chop the onion finely and place in a large mixing bowl. Add mustard, chili sauce and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Put in the ground beef and mix all the ingredients together, using your hands. Shape them into medium sized round balls and press it flat with both with your palms, to make patties.
3. Place the patty on the grill and cook for six minutes. Flip the patty on the other side and cook for another six minutes.
4. Meanwhile slice the American and Swiss cheese diagonally and keep aside. Once you feel the patties are cooked, place American and Swiss cheese on top of it and grill again for a minute or so. Let it cool for some time.
5. Split the buns and toast them. Fill them with sliced tomatoes, onions, patties, lettuce, bacon, mustard and ketchup. You can also put an American flag toothpick on top of the burger to add to the Independence day feel.

Delicious Potato Salad
Salads are an essential part of every party and why should it be any different on Independence day? Here is a potato salad recipe that all your guests would surely relish.

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 3 pounds potatoes
• 1 – 2 small sized onions
• 3 teaspoons lemon-pepper seasoning
• 8 ounces salad dressing or mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
• 3 teaspoons snipped fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 12 ounce jars marinated artichoke hearts
• 2 tablespoons dill pickles

Directions

1. Boil eggs till they become hard. Peel them and set aside.
2. Wash potatoes thoroughly under running water. Place them in a dutch cooker, add a little salt and cook for at least 15-20 minutes.
3. When potatoes are done, drain the water. Peel and chop the potatoes and onions into small pieces and also slice the eggs into long pieces.
4. Take the eggs and potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Combine dill, mustard, salad dressing or mayonnaise, lemon-pepper seasoning and vinegar. Add onions, pickle and artichoke hearts and mix well.
5. To enhance the taste of the salad, it is important to refrigerate the salad for at least a day. Before serving, transfer it into a large salad bowl.

Some other food ideas for 4th of July include hot dogs, barbecue beans, steaks, apple pie, etc. Drinks can include lemonade, summer cocktails and iced tea. This 4th of July, celebrate Independence day with a party or picnic. Try out these recipes and enjoy this patriotic day in a delicious way.

By Deepa Kartha

Lots more DFW 4th of July events for Dallas area will be held on the actual 4th of July. Check out our 4th July Page for all upcoming holiday events.

Berry Flag Pull Apart Cake – a prettty and yummy Memorial Day dessert!

This showstopping flag dessert combines sweet vanilla cake with colorful strawberries and blueberries for a patriotic Memorial Day Dessert. Not only is it fun to eat, kids will love it and bonus, moms, it’s healthier with fruit!

 Ingredients for Berry Flag Pull Apart Cake

Cooking Instructions for Berry Flag Pull Apart Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 20 cupcake liners into 2 (12 cup) cupcake pans. Follow the directions for the simple Vanilla Cake recipe but instead pour batter into prepared cupcake pans, filling each cupcake about one-half to three-quarters full.
2. Bake for 18 to 21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the cupcakes, comes out clean. Remove cupcakes and place on wire rack to cool before icing, about 10 minutes.

To make icing for Berry Flag Pull Apart Cake:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together cream cheese, vanilla extract and butter until smooth. Slowly add in confectioner’s sugar. Beat until sugar is thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

To assemble cake:

1. Ice each cupcake.  Decorate 4 of the cupcakes with 4 rows of blueberries.  Decorate the remaining 16 cupcakes with strawberries. On each of the remaining cupcakes, place two strawberry slices side by side, in 4 rows.
2. Line iced cupcakes side by side on a large serving platter, placing the four blueberry cupcakes two over two in the upper left hand corner of the flag. Cupcakes should be grouped into 4 rows of 5. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.

The Best Ever Hamburger Recipe

These meat patties are easy to make and perfect for an outdoor party, like Memorial Day cookouts.  Your burgers will be the talk of the neighborhood.

Hamburger Recipe INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. lean ground beef

4 drops Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. crushed oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

6 hamburger buns, split

Hamburger Recipe Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the beef, Worcestershire, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix well and form the meat into 6 patties.

When the coals are hot and evenly distributed, place the burgers in the center of the grill and set the buns, open-face down, to the outside edge.

As soon as the buns are toasted, flip the burgers and place a bun top on each. This will help the meat cook through while the bread soaks up juices.

Serves 6. Set out with your favorite condiments.

Enjoy this best ever hamburger recipe for a yummy Memorial Day burger!

4th of July Dessert – Red White and Blueberry Trifles

First you might ask, what is a trifle? Trifle is a dessert dish made from thick (or often solidified) custard, fruit, sponge cake, fruit juice or jelly, and whipped cream

Trifles are great desserts for summer because they don’t require any baking and almost zero sweat equity. Pick your favorite fruits and cookies or cake and layer away.

Red White and Blueberry Trifles Ingredients

 Red White and Blueberry Trifles Instructions

1. Place half of the strawberries, water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mash mixture using a potato masher or fork and cook for about 5 minutes until mixture becomes syrup-like. Cool for 5 minutes.
2. In a bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream until soft peaks form. Layer cake, cream, strawberries and blueberries in clear cocktail glasses. Drizzle cooled strawberry syrup over top of each trifle. Can be served immediately or covered and refrigerated overnight.

Substitution(s)

Make Your Own Popsicles

Cooling off in the heat of summer is fun with these easy frozen treats. Whether it’s flavored soft drink mix, juice, or even yogurt or pudding, have a blast experimenting with different flavors and colors.

Age
4 and up

This project is rated EASY to do.

Make Your Own Popsicles Materials:

Popsicle molds
Juice, soft drink mix (non-carbonated), yogurt, or pudding

Directions to Make Your Own Popsicles:

Carefully pour liquid into mold. Fill only as far as you want the first layer.

Do not insert the mold handles.

Freeze.
When the first layer is frozen, add the second layer of liquid.

Insert the mold handles and freeze again.
Remove from freezer and take out the handles.

Fill with remaining liquid and put the mold handles back in.

Freeze.
Remove finished Popsicles from the freezer and run the molds under warm water to loosen.

Popsicles should slide out.
Eat!

Helpful Hints

You can add drops of food coloring to plain or vanilla yogurt to make fun layered frozen yogurt pops. Mix the yogurt and food coloring in a separate bowl and then add to the molds.  Pudding freezes well. Layer different flavors and colors for a fun effect.
Find Popsicle molds at discount department stores. You can also use ice cube trays — just fill the tray, cover it in plastic wrap, then insert toothpicks or mini Popsicle sticks for handles.

Enjoy making your own popsicles this summer!

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes

I don’t cook much. It’s not my thing. It’s not that I don’t know how, it’s just not one of my favorite things to do. I will never be in the pages of Taste of Home or Better Homes and Gardens. If you are like me and need some easy recipes for your 4th of July BBQ, then read on.

This has got to be the all-time easiest meal I have ever made. It has made me look like Martha freakin’ Stewart when one look at my house will tell you I am sooo NOT Martha Stewart.

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes

The shopping list looks daunting, but don’t let it scare you. This meal is going to be a breeze and your guests will never know how much time you didn’t spend preparing it.

Shopping List:

Chicken Breasts

1 Bottle of Italian Dressing – NOT Fat Free (your choice, I like Kraft Roasted Red Pepper Italian)

Baking potatoes

Milk

Butter

Sour Cream

Bacon

Green Onions

Grated Cheddar Cheese

Salt/Pepper

Green Salad in a Bag

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Dressing of Choice Croutons and

other Salad toppings

Orange Juice or Citric acid (vitamin C tablets)

Chocolate syrup

Bananas

Apples

Pineapple chunks

Berries (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries)

Wooden Skewers

Marinated Italian Chicken

If you are grilling, then this is a great and easy chicken recipe. Don’t ask me about beef, my husband does the steaks and burgers.

Marinated Italian Chicken Directions:

Put Chicken Breasts in Freezer size Ziploc Bag, along with entire bottle of dressing. Put in fridge for minimum 3-5 hours. Overnight is even better and will yield much tastier results. Don’t forget to turn the bag over every once in awhile to marinate both sides of the chicken. When ready, place chicken on grill, cook until there is no pink in the center. Be sure to discard marinade, it has yucky chicken germs and you wouldn’t want to make your guests sick. That would be bad. And very un-Martha Stewart. That’s it!! Chicken is DONE!!

Twice Baked Potatoes

I found this recipe last year on Allrecipes.com. It’s so good and simple to make. You can even cook the potatoes in the microwave if you’re short on time!

INGREDIENTS:

4 large baking potatoes

8 slices bacon

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

4 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

8 green onions, sliced, divided

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown.

Drain, crumble and set aside.

When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; save skins.

To the potato flesh add sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy.

Spoon the mixture into the potato skins.

Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.

Bake for another 15 minutes. Serve hot! These are so yummy, I could eat one all by itself for a meal!

Green Salad

INGREDIENTS:

Bag of Salad Greens Dressing Tomatoes Cukes whatever other salad veggies and fixins you want to throw in

DIRECTIONS:

Okay, seriously?!! You just cut up the veggies and throw everything in a big bowl. Right before its time to serve the food, you can toss the salad with dressing if you like, or you can let your guests dress their own salads. Martha would probably toss; I would probably not, but whatever. This is your gig.

And finally, in order to make it a complete meal, something sweet:

Dessert Fruit Skewers

INGREDIENTS:

Berries (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries) Apple Chunks Bananas Pineapple Chunks Chocolate Syrup Orange juice or citric acid (crushed vitamin C tablets) Skewers

I would place all the fruit on a huge platter and let the guests make their own skewers. But if you want to pre-make them (you are trying to show me up, aren’t you!) follow these steps:

DIRECTIONS:

Cut fruit into bite-size pieces. Be sure to coat apple and banana pieces in orange juice or citric acid to prevent oxidation (browning). Slide fruit onto skewers and drizzle with chocolate syrup. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until time to serve.

If you don’t want the hassle of cutting up fruit and you want to shorten your shopping list, you could just do Root Beer Floats…nothing says God Bless America like ice cream and soda!! Either way, your guests will love you for your efforts to indulge their collective sweet tooth.

Because I’m not an ace in the kitchen, I would probably just go for lemonade or soda for beverages and do the whole self-serve thing. Again, this would be why I don’t win any major hostess awards, but my friends and family leave well fed and happy, even if they did have to eat off paper plates.

So there you go, my quick and easy 4th of July BBQ meal for those of us who are “domestically-challenged.” Have a great and safe 4th of July and don’t forget to think about our great country and our wonderful freedoms while you chow down!

By Geri Chase

Berry Flag Cake

If you’re celebrating 4th of July with friends or family, this Berry Flag Cake will be a crowd-pleaser!

Refreshing and light, this showstopping berry flag cake combines sweet vanilla cake with colorful strawberries and blueberries for a patriotic 4th of July treat.

Berry Flag Cake Ingredients

Berry Flag Cake Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 20 cupcake liners into 2 (12 cup) cupcake pans. Follow the directions for the Simple Vanilla Cake recipe but instead pour batter into prepared cupcake pans, filling each cupcake about one-half to three-quarters full.
2. Bake for 18 to 21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the cupcakes, comes out clean. Remove cupcakes and place on wire rack to cool before icing, about 10 minutes.

To make icing:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together cream cheese, vanilla extract and butter until smooth. Slowly add in confectioner’s sugar. Beat until sugar is thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

To assemble cake:

1. Ice each cupcake.  Decorate 4 of the cupcakes with 4 rows of blueberries.  Decorate the remaining 16 cupcakes with strawberries. On each of the remaining cupcakes, place two strawberry slices side by side, in 4 rows.
2. Line iced cupcakes side by side on a large serving platter, placing the four blueberry cupcakes two over two in the upper left hand corner of the flag. Cupcakes should be grouped into 4 rows of 5. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.

Make it Faster

13 Burger Recipes for Your Memorial Day Cookout

Memorial Day week-end is here! That means cookouts, backyard BBQs, swimming and the start of summer!  To many of us, that means fat, juicy burgers! Oh, yeah!

Even if you’re a vegetarian, read on for 13 burger recipes for your Memorial Day cookout.

Even if you’re a vegetarian you can still enjoy a veggie burger for your Memorial Day cookout. Or if you are a meat-eater, step outside the box for a turkey burger or lamb burger for something new.

There’s all kinds of ways to dress up your burger including different cheeses, different meats or meat combos or just switching up the spices.

I’m going to let you hop on over to this website for 13 burger recipes for your Memorial Day cookout.

Five 4th of July Treats

4th of July is a fun holiday to prepare for. Just think red, white and blue and flags.

For this 4th of July we’d like to share with you our top picks – Five 4th of July Treats – off our pinterest board.

Five 4th of July Treats

4th of July Jello-Jigglers

See our pin to make these creamy, jiggling Jello-o treats this 4th of July. Fun to eat!

Smoke Bombs – aka aka donuts holes, dipped in candy melts with black licorice to look like a fuse.

What a poppin’ good time you’d have to eat these!

Sparklers made from pretzels dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled silver crystals on top to resemble sparklers.

Fireworks Cupcakes – their cute icing tops will “blow you away!”

American Flag Cheesecake Bars – so simple anyone can make these!

Whatever treats you end up making, you’re sure to have a super 4th of July!

Fourth Of July Fruit Toast

Fruity Fourth of July Breakfast

This is a super simple Fruity Fourth of July Breakfast you can make for the kiddos. They’ll “pop” for this sweet treat whether you make it for breakfast, lunch or a snack. It would also be a festive and healthy snack to bring as you watch the 4th of July fireworks.

Read on for the super simple directions to make Fruity Fourth of July Breakfast.

Now you can celebrate the fourth not just in style, but with what you eat with this fun, fruity fourth of July breakfast that incorporates our  nation’s flag.

Fruity Fourth of July Breakfast Ingredients:

• Cream cheese or butter
• Raspberry or Strawberry Jelly
• Blueberries for the stars and sliced bananas for the stripes or choose your own favorite fruits

Enjoy your holiday!

Recipe courtesy of Buzzfeed.com

Red White Blue Creamsicle

Red White and Blue Creamsicle

What better way to celebrate the fourth on a hot summer day than with a red white and blue creamsicle! Talk about cool and patriotic.

This red white and blue creamsicle is extra special because it uses no dyes and is dairy free!

If you want this healthy, yet yummy recipe for red white and blue creamsicle, read on.

Red White and Blue Creamsicle Ingredients:

– 1 cup of mixed blue berries (blueberries & blackberries)
– 1 cup of mixed red berries (raspberries and strawberries)
– Ice cream (if you are dairy free like us, I used no-sugar coconut milk ice cream)
– Vanilla coconut milk
– Honey (optional: agave)
– Ice pop molds (you can use a fancy one like this or you can be non-fancy like me and use dixie cups + ice pop sticks.)

Red White and Blue Creamsicle Directions:

• Put the red berries and about 2 teaspoons of honey in a small pot to simmer. I used 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon agave because our local honey is a bit tart and I wanted to sweeten them up a bit. I kind of mushed the berries with a spoon until the whole thing was fairly melted and juicy. I’m very professional at cooking, obviously.
• Then I poured them in the blender and added a tablespoon of coconut milk ice cream to make it a bit creamy and blended it together.
• We filled the cups up about 1/3 of the way. Then we put it them the freezer for about 45 minutes.

• Next we blended about a cup of ice cream, a 1/4 a cup of vanilla coconut milk and a 1/4 of a teaspoon of honey and filled the cups again with that mixture and put them back in the freezer for another 45 minutes.
• Finally we repeated the same process with the blue berries as we did for the red berries and filled the final layer of the cups with it. At this point we stuck our sticks in. Which are actually some sort of fancy bar toothpicks because I could not find sticks anywhere.

I am very classy. We tried putting the sticks in earlier in the process but that didn’t work well because Scarlette kept pulling them out and licking them.  We let the whole thing freeze for about three hours. They were really easy to get out of the dixie cups, I just pushed down with my thumb on the top of the cup and they popped right out.

Recipe courtesy of Kaylaaimee.com

Kids Veggie Burger

Memorial Day weekend starts NOW! Most of you will be enjoying a nice, thick juicy burger. But for your vegetarians and vegans out there, how about a kids veggie burger?

Try out this kid friendly veggie burger for Memorial Day. Even if you’re not vegetarian and you’re not up for a beef or turkey burger, try this one out. You won’t feel so full!

Kids Veggie Burger INGREDIENTS:

• 1kg potato, peeled
• 200g of grated cheddar cheese
• 800g frozen mixed vegetables (or fresh if you prefer)
• 1Spanish onion
• 250g golden breadcrumbs
• salt and pepper

Kids Veggie Burger DIRECTIONS

1. Boil and mash the potatoes,allow to cool whilst you just bring the vegetables to the boil,(the crunch makes them tasty)then drain the veg and sat aside to cool a little.
2. Mix the cheese and onion into the potato,and add the veg.
3. At this point,you can ask the children to help by dividing the mixture into 2 or three bowls,and mix all the ingredients together thoroughly with your HANDS (kids LOVE THIS)!
4. Now-for the mixture into thin burger shapes,empty the breadcrumbs into a bowl and coat each side of each burger (it should make 10 good size burgers- 2 per person) with the breadcrumbs.
5. Lay in a non stick baking tray or on a sheet of baking paper in the grill pan.
6. Drizzle over a little oil to help brown and crisp if desired (it does help-but only a small amount is required).
7. Bake in a preheated oven on gas mark 6 for 20 minutes a side.

Recipe courtesy of geniuskitchen.com

Strawberry Jam Bars with Oats

What a yummy, goey and healthy treat for Memorial Day! The holiday isn’t over yet, so let your kids have this sticky mess, then wash up before hitting the pool.

Strawberry Jam Bars with Oats ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups whole oats (not quick cooking)
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup flaxseed
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 – 3/4 cup low-sugar jam or fruit spread
• 1/3 cup dried fruit, such as cranberries

Strawberry Jam Bars with Oats instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9 pan or use a silicone liner.

In a large bowl combine everything EXCEPT the jam and cranberries and use your hands to kneed everything into a big ball (or let the kids do it). Set aside about a cup of the oat mixture. Pour the rest onto your prepared pan and push it down, to the edges and everywhere so you have a flat layer of oat mixture covering the bottom of the pan completely. Bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Then smear the strawberry jam on top, coating the oats completely. Sprinkle on dried cranberries. Finish by breaking up the remaining oat mixture into little chunks and distribute evenly but don’t worry about making it a full layer. The jam and cranberries should peek through. Bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool and cut into bars.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Watermelon Slush

Perfect for your 4th of July celebration or summer backyard get together. Cool off with the refreshing flavors of summer like watermelon.

You won’t believe that this comes together in just 5 minutes with only 3 ingredients. How easy is that?!

Watermelon Slush INGREDIENTS:

Watermelon Slush DIRECTIONS:

Article courtesy of Foodsafety.gov

Red, White Blue Fruit Ice Cubes

With 4th of July here today what better way to celebrate than cooling off with patriotic Red, White and Blue Fruit Ice Cubes!

These only take a few minutes to make, the wait and freeze. If not using for the 4th of July, they’re great for the pool anytime and they’re healthy – nothing but berries! Kids will love them.

Add these cubes of blueberries, raspberries, and pomegranate seeds to any drink for instant flavor.

Red White Blue Fruit Ice Cubes Ingredients

Blueberries

Raspberries

Pomegranate Seeds

Ice Cube Trays

Water

Red White Blue Fruit Ice Cubes Directions:

Wash the berries. Add several berries to each section of the ice cube tray. If you have a long tray, spread them out to create a pattern. Pour the water over the berries. Put trays in freezer to freeze water.

Courtesy of Momtastic.com

3 Summer Recipes for Kids

Summer is the time when the kids are at home and when the mothers have to rack their brains to feed them with sumptuous food. The growing up kids are always hungry and pine for good and delicious food. Here are a few recipes that you can make for your kids to satiate their hunger and keep their energy going this summer.

3 Summer Recipes for Kids

Fresh Peach Cobbler

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup sugar
2. 6 large peaches, cut in thin slices
3. 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
4. 1 tsp cornstarch

Biscuit Topping

1. 1/2 cup sugar
2. 1 cup flour
3. 1/2 tsp salt
4. 3/8 cup butter, cut into pieces
5. 1 tsp baking powder
6. 1/4 cup boiling water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 190 degree Celsius. In a baking dish, mix the sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and peaches. In bowl, sieve flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Rub in the butter to make the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Now blend well with boiling water to make a batter like consistency. Pour this into a baking dish and top with peaches. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or till the top is golden brown.

Margarita Chicken

The chicken is wonderful served hot off the grill, but it also tastes great cold or at room temperature. Serve it sliced and tossed into a salad of mixed baby lettuces. This dish is liked by both kids and adults and is great dish for summer entertaining.

Ingredients

1. 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2. Fresh lime juice, from about 4 limes
3. Zest from one lime
4. 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
5. 2 cloves garlic, mashed
6. 1 teaspoon chili powder
7. Salt and pepper as per your taste
8. 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions

Place all ingredients in a large zip top plastic bag. Squish to combine. Add chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight.Coat grill pan with cooking spray. Heat pan to medium-high. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side, turning breast a quarter turn after two minutes if cross hatch marks are desired. Serve immediately with a mayonnaise dip or salad.

Chicken and Salad Wraps

A very easy dish that you can fix up in a jiffy with left over chicken. You can also fill your picnic basket with this summer recipe when you take kids out for a field trip.

Ingredients

1. 200g shaved chicken breast
2. 4 wholegrain wraps
3. 1 large carrot, peeled, grated
4. 60g baby spinach
5. 2 teaspoons lemon juice
6. 1 tablespoon whole-egg mayonnaise

Directions

In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, avocado and lemon juice. On your chopping board, place one of the wraps, spread the avocado mixture. Next top it with the shredded chicken, carrot and spinach. Season with salt and pepper.  Gently roll the wrap to enclose the filling. Cut into three pieces. Repeat the same procedure with the remaining wraps.

This would make a great lunch time snack for kids during summer season.

by Maya Pillai

Blackberry-Rose Ice Pops

Now that summer is starting, it’s time for cold treats – icees, ice cream, popsicles, you name it!

This recipe for blackberry-rose ice pops turns a childhood treat into a sophisticated and seasonal summer delight.

Patriotic Ice Cream Cones

Patriotic ice cream cones are a sweet treat that’s just right for celebrating the Fourth of July!

I have been so inspired by all the cute red, white and blue desserts out there!  So festive and fun! I decided I wanted to try something patriotic and sweet, but I don’t have a lot of time right now, so I just did some colorful ice cream cones.  Ice cream is the All-American treat, right?

These were so easy, and really tasty.  Try them, you won’t be disappointed!