It is always a bellissima idea to add a little Italian touch to your Fourth of July celebrations!
Happy birthday, America!
It is one of the most beloved days for Americans to celebrate their independence and the nation's birth. As the country heals after the long months of the pandemic, there is nothing more beautiful than wishing Happy Birthday, hoping for an ever more prosperous future, and, above all, being filled with peace and hope.
Two fresh Italian-style recipes
Whether you're celebrating with family or friends, hosting a backyard classic American barbecue party, or heading to a picnic to enjoy the fireworks, the important thing is that the party is accompanied by fresh and tasty summer food. There are indeed three ingredients that cannot be missed: good food, family, and friends! Since it is usual to follow the burgers, steaks, and hot dogs, with dessert, we thought we could share some yummy ideas! For this Fourth of July, we offer two typical Italian frozen desserts to enjoy instead of ice cream. They are super light but don't give up the yumminess. We hope you enjoy these easy and tasty recipes!
Granita all'anguria
Nothing screams summer better than anguria, watermelon! Our first recipe is Watermelon Granita. What could be more pleasant and refreshing in the summer than indulging in a nice slice of the freshest watermelon? I know... I've made your mouth water just thinking about it! Not a single Italian family does not love to end a summer lunch or dinner with a nice slice of watermelon. Today for your Fourth of July, we propose to prepare an easy granita. Granita is a traditional summertime dessert. Prepare a simple syrup boiling in a pot of water, sugar, and mint leaves. Let it cool. When it is cool, pour watermelon, lemon juice, and half of the simple cooled syrup into a food processor. After a minute, add more simple syrup if you prefer it sweeter. At this point, place the mixture into a freezer container and freeze for 30 minutes. Remove the container, scrape with a fork and return to the freezer. Repeat every 30 minutes. After 4 hours, your granita is ready; you can serve and enjoy it! A final piece of advice: if you want to respect the Fourth of July theme all the way through, use white cups with blue spoons! For 6 people, you will need 1/2 cup water; 4 cups watermelon (chopped, without the seeds); 1/2 cup water; 1 cup brown sugar; 1/2 fresh squeezed lemon juice; fresh mint leaves.
Sgroppino al limone
Sgroppino is a delicious middle way between a sorbet and a cocktail. It is effortless to prepare, and we recommend it! You can enjoy it after a meal, or you can use it to "clean" the palate between courses, especially if you are having "pesce" and after "carne." The twist is a little beat of prosecco that makes this sorbet incredibly charming. Preparing sgroppino at home is pretty straightforward. You will need a good blender. Add a splash of prosecco (according to taste) and two scoops of lemon sorbet. Now blend and serve. You can garnish it with a leaf of fresh basil! It will be a great interlude or a delicious finale to your Fourth of July cookout!
