Prepping for the Fourth

I LOVE me some red, white, & blue! This year we are planning on doing our usual- boat parade and beach day at the in-laws', followed by an on-time bed time for all + ear plugs to drown out the fireworks.

We are a GOOD TIME. #Parentsoflittlekids.

I've been doing some cooking in the kitchen in preparation. If I'm bringing food to share, I want to have confidence that the recipe will turn out!

So far I've made this triple berry pie. Next time I'll par bake the crust but otherwise it's a winner.

I've also assembled a few molds of vanilla yogurt & berry popsicles in the freezer.

And last but not least, faux-tato salad!

Okay, so this recipe has been around for awhile, but I've never attempted it. As a kid I wasn't a fan of potato salad, but this is something I can get behind. A heaping serving of veggies. Some creamy Greek yogurt. Tangy mustard. Chopped up eggs. Crunchy celery and onion. It's ALL GOOD. And it's easy!

Faux-tato Salad

2 heads cauliflower, washed and cut into small florets

1/2 cup mayo (I love olive oil based mayo)

Heaping 1/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

2 hard boiled eggs, chopped

2 stalks celery, diced

1 small yellow onion, diced

2 tablespoons yellow mustard

2 teaspoons white wine vinegar (can sub in pickle juice)

1 teaspoon sugar

Pinch each of salt and pepper

Bring a large pot of water to boil. If you don't have a steamer basket, a metal colander set atop of the pot will work. Add cauliflower florets and steam for ~9 minutes, or until fork-tender. You don't want it too mushy, as it'll soften up a little bit as it refrigerates later.

Let cauliflower cool completely. Meanwhile stir together yogurt, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Add to cooled cauliflower. Stir in celery, onion, and chopped eggs. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance. Can garnish with a dash of paprika for some color, or even add additional sliced eggs on top.

Makes 8 servings. Per serving: 75 calories, 9 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fat, 3 grams protein, 208 mg sodium. Compare that with a (smaller serving) half cup of traditional potato salad that has closer to 170 calories and 27 grams of carbohydrates. My version counts as veggies and it tastes like the real thing!

I hope everyone has a red, white, and blue-tastic Fourth!

(Yes, that is obnoxious to say- can't help it!)