Have an All-American Independence Day Celebration

The Fourth of July is one of the highlights of summer, and it’s the perfect time to pack a picnic hamper with all-American favorites, such as corn-on-the-cob, coleslaw, baked beans, apple pie, and fried “chicken.” With so many tasty treats, you just have to celebrate!

You can also give chickens something to celebrate this Independence Day by using mock meats made from “amber waves of grain”—try Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Chik’n Strips or White Wave’s Chicken-Style Wheat Meat. Wrap these in a crispy, tangy batter, and you’ll be hooked.

It’s easy to “veganize” your side dishes, too. Simply use an eggless mayonnaise, such as Vegenaise or Nayonaise, in your coleslaw, and add shredded faux ham and anchovy-free Worcestershire sauce to baked beans—you’ll have dishes that are zesty, delicious, and completely vegan.

As you kick back to watch the fireworks, make sure to indulge in some scrumptious vegan desserts—try a thick wedge of velvety cherry-chocolate cake or serve a flaky apple pie with a few pints of Soy Dream’s nondairy frozen desserts. Wash it all down with a refreshing, Georgia-style sweet tea—its peaches-and-mint flavor will satisfy the whole crowd.

• Freedom Fried ‘Chicken’
• California Creamy Coleslaw
• Boston Baked Beans
• ‘Georgia Peach’ Sweet Tea
• Traverse City Cherry-Chocolate Cake
• All-American Apple Pie