"What are your plans for Independence Day?" a friend asked me recently. “Of course, to celebrate like all Americans,” I replied. For some, July 4th is associated with fireworks, barbecue and hot dog competitions, for others it is a day of meeting friends, discussions and fun.
The most important thing is that everyone feels good, and enjoys the holiday to the fullest, but at the same time without health consequences.
P.S. Stick around till the end to get your exclusive gift!
The other day I came across an article that talked about the most important facts related to the 4th of July. In addition to the historical facts associated with this day, this article had a lot of information about the famous 4th of July hot dog contest, fireworks and their prices, as well as a large number of hospitalizations on this beautiful day.
I also found out from this article that Americans eat about 150 million hot dogs on this day. Do you think it's a lot or a little? Is this something to be proud of? To be honest, as a doctor, this fact upset me. Despite the convenience and taste that attracts many people, fast food can be very dangerous in the long run, so we must be aware of the risks and consequences that it can cause: the risk of high morbidity, reduced immunity, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
But at the same time, I found some information in this article that cheered me up. Did you know that eating salmon and peas on Independence Day is a New England tradition that goes back centuries? Many have made this recipe the staple of American holidays.
It's quite possible to eat healthy food for the holidays, isn’t it? Of course, especially since there are so many delicious dishes that you can grill. How about trying one of them this Independence Day?
Zucchini, peppers and grilled halloumi
Ingredients: 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, 2 zucchini, 80 ml olive oil, 60 ml balsamic vinegar, freshly ground pepper, 225 g Halloumi cheese.
Method of preparation:
The peppers are washed, cut in half and cleaned of seeds. Zucchini is washed and cut into rounds.
Mix the oil together with the vinegar in a bowl and add the peppers and zucchini. Mix well, add freshly ground pepper and leave to marinate for about 1 hour.
Put the zucchini slices on skewer sticks then put the skewers together with the peppers and Halloumi cheese sliced on the grill for about 3-4 minutes on both sides.
Remove the vegetables and serve sprinkled with oil and vinegar marinade.
Grilled salmon with chili, sour cream sauce and green beans
Ingredients: 6 cloves of unpeeled garlic, 1 coarsely chopped small onion, 1 hot pepper, 4 tablespoons brown sugar, 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 4 fillets of salmon of 150g each, lime juice, 200g sour cream, fresh coriander, 250g green beans, 1 small red onion, vinegar.
Method of preparation:
Heat the garlic and onion in a non-stick pan, without oil, until golden. Allow to cool slightly then peel the garlic.
Soak the seedless hot pepper in boiled water for 15 minutes, drain, then blend with the sugar, vinegar, garlic, onion, salt and pepper to a sauce.
Heat the grill. Grease each piece of salmon with sauce and leave on the grill for 8 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix the lime juice with the sour cream.
Cut the ends of the green beans and put them on the fire in hot salted water for a fixed 3 minutes, drain well and put them in ice water for another 3 minutes. Drain very well, mix with finely chopped red onions, salt and a few drops of vinegar.
Place the beans on a plate, place salmon, sour cream sauce on top and sprinkle with finely chopped coriander.
Grilled shrimp with mango sauce
Ingredients: 30 shrimps, 2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon honey (or sugar), 5 parsley threads, salt, black pepper
For mango sauce: 1/2 large mango (well baked and flavored), 1/2 lime, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, black pepper.
Method of preparation:
Clean the shrimp, rinse under running water and dry well with napkins.
In a bowl, mix the Sriracha sauce, crushed garlic, oil and honey well. Pour over the shrimp, add the chopped parsley, salt and pepper. Mix everything well.
Leave the shrimp to marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator or 1 hour at room temperature, if you are in a hurry.
Just before preparing the shrimp, prepare the sauce: put 1/2 mango pulp, 1/2 lime peel, 1/2 lime juice (2 tablespoons juice), oil, a little salt and black pepper in the food processor. Mix well in the food processor until you have a fine cream.
Line the shrimp, 5 on each skewer. Heat the grill well. Place the skewers on the grill and fry on both sides until you get nice traces of barbecue (about 2 minutes / part).
Serve hot shrimp with mango sauce.
Grilled corn with cheese
Ingredients: corn, 1 teaspoon of butter for each corn.
Seasoned cheese: 100 gr hard cheese (parmesan cheese), 3-4 threads of parsley, 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin.
Method of preparation:
Put the cheese in the mixer. Add all the greens and chili. Mix at high speed until the Parmesan cheese becomes crisp and lightly colored in green.
Grill the corn on all sides. As soon as you take them out, grease them with butter and roll them in seasoned cheese.
Serve immediately.
- In addition, I have for you a grilled dessert recipe that is quick to prepare and very delicious: Grilled peaches with ice cream.
Method of preparation:
Cut the peaches in half and remove the kernels, then sprinkle them with cinnamon powder and a little brown sugar.
Place the peaches on the grill at the end when some coals have ignited and cook them cut side up for about 3-5 minutes, then another 3 minutes cut side down.
Serve hot peach halves with a cup of ice cream on them.
In the same way, you can grill other fruits such as bananas, apricots, pineapples and serve them with ice cream. Worth a try.
I will not stop saying and reminding you to stay healthy even during the holidays. We must preserve our health for the future life, for many other Independence Days, which we will happily celebrate with family and friends.
Happy birthday America! Be healthy!
And now, since you've been so patient, it's time for you to get a hold of your prize:
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Vision is one of the most important senses, and we should cherish it accordingly. This 4th of July, protect your eyes from firework fallout and don't look too intensely into bright lights.