4th Of July Side Dishes Recipe Lineup

Hey there, fellow foodies! I’ve got a flavor-packed journey that will elevate your next summer gathering into a culinary fiesta—from grilled Mexican street corn to the freshest watermelon feta salad, it’s a vibrant, crunchy, and oh-so-tasty adventure you won’t want to miss!

Commence ‘Independence Day’ with a vibrant sideshow of dishes that warmly embrace the spirit of the occasion and the wholesome goodness of fresh ingredients. My top three faves would have to be: corn, dressed in spirited lime and chili powder; creamy baby potatoes, with a hint of thyme that puts the dish way over the top; and a watermelon-feta salad, topped with mint and a splash of balsamic vinegar, that is incredibly refreshing and surprisingly satisfying.

Ingredients

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Corn:

Sweet, crunchy; a good source of fiber, vitamins B and C.

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Mayonnaise:

Creamy texture; adds richness; a source of fat and calories.

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Cotija Cheese:

Salty and crumbly; provides calcium and protein.

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Chili Powder:

Adds heat; rich in antioxidants; enhances metabolism.

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Baby Potatoes:

Small, tender; a good source of carbohydrates and potassium.

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Cherry Tomatoes:

Juicy and sweet; rich in vitamins A and C.

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Red Onion:

Pungent flavor; supplies vitamin C and antioxidants.

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Watermelon:

Refreshingly juicy; low in calories; high in vitamins A and C.

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Feta Cheese:

Tangy; high in calcium; adds creaminess.

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Cucumber:

Cool and crisp; hydrating; low in calories.

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Green Beans:

Crunchy; source of vitamins A, C, and K.

Ingredient Quantities

• 10 ears of fresh corn, husked
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• Juice of 2 limes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 pound baby potatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cups watermelon, cubed
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
• 1 large cucumber, sliced
• 2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup toasted almonds, sliced

How to Make this

1. Prepare the Mexican Street Corn:
– Cook 10 ears of fresh corn on a medium grill, turning them often, until they are as done as you like. For us, this means until they are slightly charred all over, which took us about 10 minutes. – In a bowl, mix together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta, or other similar cheese), 1 tablespoon chili powder, and a couple of tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro (or not; the recipe also works just fine without cilantro). Add the juice of 2 limes and mix well. – Brush the corn with the sauce, and then season them with as much salt and pepper as you like.

2. Make the Baby Potato Salad:
– In salted water, boil 1 pound of baby potatoes until they are tender, which takes about 15 minutes. Drain and let them cool a bit.
– Combine 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, 1 small diced red onion, and 1 tablespoon olive oil with the potatoes in the bowl.
– In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika. Whisk until smooth and pour over the potato mixture. Toss to combine and season with salt and fresh ground pepper.

3. Prepare the Watermelon Feta Salad:
– In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of watermelon, cut into cubes, 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled, and 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped. – Lightly mix the ingredients, then drizzle them with 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze. Sprinkle the salad with 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt and toss again lightly.

4. Create the Cucumber and Green Bean Salad:
– Boil 2 cups of fresh green beans for 3 minutes, then quickly plunge into an ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain well.
– In a different receptacle, mix 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of grated ginger, and 1 clove of minced garlic.
– In a big bowl for salad, toss lightly the green beans from blanching, 1 big cucumber cut into rounds, and the dressing made with soy sauce and ginger.

5. Toast the Almonds:
– In a medium frying pan over medium heat, toast
1/4 cup of almond slices until they are golden brown and have a nutty aroma, about
3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool in the pan.

6. Assemble and Serve:
– When you are ready to serve, add the toasted almonds to the cucumber and green bean salad. The nuts will lend a welcome crunch, making a tasty contrast to the creamy dressing.
Serve all components at room temp or chilled for that def 4th of July vibe. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Grill
2. Large pot
3. Medium frying pan
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Medium mixing bowl
6. Small mixing bowl
7. Whisk
8. Tongs
9. Knife
10. Cutting board
11. Measuring cups
12. Measuring spoons
13. Salad bowl
14. Colander
15. Ice bath setup

FAQ

• Q: Can I prepare the corn in advance?A: Certainly, you can prepare the corn by either grilling or boiling it a day in advance and keeping it in the refrigerator. Just combine it with the desired toppings right before serving, and it’ll be as fresh as can be.
• Q: What is a good substitute for cotija cheese?A. Cotija is similar to feta cheese in that both have a crumbly texture and a tangy flavor. Thus, feta cheese can be used as a substitute for cotija.
• Q: How can I make the potato salad vegan?1. Use vegan mayonnaise
  2. Skip the cheese
  3. Substitute with a dairy-free alternative
• Q: Can I use canned corn instead of fresh corn?A: It is best to use fresh corn for the best flavor. However, canned corn can be used if you drain it and dry it well.
• Q: What is the best way to toast the almonds?A: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast sliced almonds, stirring frequently until they are golden brown and you can smell their toasty, nutty fragrance.
• Q: How long can I store the watermelon salad?The salad of watermelon can be kept in the refrigerator for as long as two days, but add the mint and the balsamic glaze just before serving to maintain the freshness.
• Q: Can I replace the red wine vinegar in the dressing?Red wine vinegar can be replaced in the dressing with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.

4th Of July Side Dishes Recipe Lineup Substitutions and Variations

Use crumbled feta cheese in place of cotija cheese when you can’t get cotija. Feta’s tangy flavor is very similar to cotija.
Greek yogurt is a substitute for lighter, tangier dressings instead of mayonnaise.
Use Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into chunks, instead of baby potatoes, for a comparable creamy texture.
For a slightly sweeter vinegar flavor, red wine vinegar can be replaced with apple cider vinegar.
When fresh lime juice is unavailable, lemon juice serves well as a substitute, providing a similar citrus “kick.”

Pro Tips

1. Maximize Flavor in the Corn After grilling, let the corn rest for a few minutes before brushing on the mayonnaise mixture. This allows the flavors to soak into the corn more effectively. You can also try adding a small amount of smoked paprika to the mayo mixture for an extra layer of smoky flavor.

2. Enhance the Potato Salad For a more robust flavor, you can roast the potatoes instead of boiling them. Toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast at 400°F (200°C) until golden and crispy. This method also gives a nice texture contrast to the creamy dressing.

3. Watermelon Feta Salad Twist Add a splash of lime juice to the watermelon salad to enhance the flavors and provide a refreshing citrus note that complements the feta and mint beautifully.

4. Cucumber and Green Bean Salad Tip For added texture, consider slicing the cucumber into ribbons using a vegetable peeler. This will provide a different mouthfeel and make the salad look more chic. Adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds can also enhance the sesame flavor of the dressing.

5. Optimal Almond Toasting Toast the almonds with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of sesame oil to complement the flavors in the cucumber and green bean salad. This will create a harmonized taste experience and a more pronounced nutty aroma.