Celebrating Citrus Heights, U.S.A.
The 4th of July is quickly approaching, and with large fireworks gatherings still on hold due to the pandemic, most families will be celebrating America’s 1776 Independence from Great Britain on a smaller scale, at home. Over the past few months, many of us have gained a new appreciation for the safety and comfort of our own American backyards, so it seems appropriate to take this opportunity to honor the towns and neighborhoods in which we live.
Here is a day’s worth of Citrus Heights-themed meals. What makes these recipes Citrus Heights-themed? We will give you one guess!
Breakfast
Orange Julius-Inspired Smoothie
All Citrus Heights residents of a certain age remember the Orange Julius stand at Sunrise Mall. Here is a recipe for a slightly healthier version.
Ingredients:
- One handful of ice cubes
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup of orange juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Zest from 1 orange
- 1 large orange, peeled and cut or segmented
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup, agave, or honey
Instructions:
Add all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
Lunch/Dinner/BBQ
We are being realistic here. Nothing is going to replace the standard 4th of July barbeque fare. With that in mind, here is a refreshing side dish to serve alongside your hot dogs and burgers.
Lemon Herb Pasta Salad
This citrusy side is easily customizable to your own tastes with the optional additions.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound pasta (Penne, fusilli, or rotini – gluten-free if you prefer)
Lemon Herb Dressing:
- 4 minced cloves of garlic
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- Juice and zest from 1 whole lemon
- 1 cup fresh chopped basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional additions:
- 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (rehydrate by soaking in hot water)
- 1/2 cup white beans
- 1/2 cup chopped black olives
Instructions:
Cook the pasta as instructed on the package, then drain, rinse in cold water, and set aside.
Combine the olive oil, basil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice/zest, and garlic—season to your taste with salt and pepper. Whisk in a small bowl or transfer to a mason jar to shake.
In a large bowl, combine the pasta with any of your chosen optional additions and mix with the dressing.
Dessert
Iced Orange Cookies
No celebration is complete without a sweet treat. These cookies take citrus to new heights of deliciousness. (Do you see what we did there?)
Ingredients:
Cookies
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup softened butter or margarine
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 4 cups AP flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup of orange juice
- 3 tablespoons orange zest
Frosting
- ¼ cup softened butter or margarine
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Combine sugar and 1 cup butter/margarine In a large bowl and beat until fluffy and light. Add eggs and sour cream; blend well. Mix in the remaining cookie ingredients. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375°F. 8-11 minutes. The edges should be a light golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool.
Separately, blend frosting ingredients in a smaller bowl until smooth. Adding orange juice to achieve a desired spreading consistency. Frost the cookies while they are still warm.
Enjoy this drone footage video featuring a birds-eye view of Citrus Heights.
Citrus Heights Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Citrus Heights, California. I have worked on behalf of Citrus Heights residents for more than 38 years. If you have been injured by a negligent driver, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400. I have a toll-free number for callers outside of the local area at (800) 404-5400. I can also be contacted online.
Some of our prior case successes and reviews from prior clients can be found at the links below:
Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/orange-citrus-fruit-fruit-healthy-1995079/
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