4th of July side dishes

Layered Tortellini Pesto Chicken Salad

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/layered-tortellini-pesto-chicken-salad/b4f8ade7-0399-4ba9-a985-2286624bfb4e/?WT.dcsvid=NDM1MDk3Nzk1MQS2&rvrin=9EC142E6-C2C7-41DD-AAEA-B297645EA7AF&WT.mc_id=Newsletter_PB_PB_2011_6_24_RESEND
INGREDIENTS

1 package (9 oz) refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
1 cup Green Giant® frozen sweet peas (from 1-lb bag)
5cups torn romaine lettuce
1 1/2cups julienne (matchstick-cut) carrots
2 cups chopped or strips grilled chicken
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into strips
1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/2 cup basil pesto
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves.
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook tortellini as directed on package, adding peas during last 4 minutes of cook time. Drain; rinse immediately with cold water. Pat with paper towels to remove moisture.
2. In 3- or 4-quart clear bowl, layer the lettuce, the carrots, chicken, peas, the tortellini, and bell pepper.
3. In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, pesto and buttermilk. Spread over peppers; sprinkle with parsley. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled or overnight. Stir just before serving.
Look for matchstick-cut carrots already cut and packaged in the produce section of the supermarket.

Omit the chicken for a meatless salad..
 
Classic Carrot Salad Recipe


http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/classic_carrot_salad/
Ingredients
3-4 cups freshly grated carrots
1/2-1 cup raisins
1 large apple, cored and chopped
1/4 to 1/3 cup mayonnaise

Method
Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.

Revolutionary Berries

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/revolutionary-berries-1015611/
Ingredients

12 ounces white chocolate chips
Strawberries
Blue sugar or edible glitter

Instructions
Melt 12 ounces of white chocolate chips in a microwave according to the package directions (make sure the container and the berries are dry; even a little moisture will alter the texture of the candy).

One at a time, dip strawberries into the chocolate and then into blue sugar or edible glitter.

Set them to harden on waxed paper.

Makes 35 to 45 decorated berries.