Chef offers healthy, tasty options for Fourth of July BBQ

VERNON, Calif. (KABC) -- Along with fireworks, a barbecue is a great holiday pleasure on Fourth of July.

While many summer foods are tasty and healthy like crisp watermelon and a vivid green salad, chef Mareya Ibrahim says challenge yourself and make an all-American dessert that makes your body proud.

"A plate that is disguised as dessert but it's actually really good for you," said Ibrahim.

That's because these "fit bites" are made with things like flax, unsweetened coconut, dried blueberries and dark chocolate.

"I just created a little puree with watermelon, tomatoes and strawberries," said Ibrahim.

Ibrahim pretties up the plate with the red puree and then adds some fresh blueberries, sprinkling unsweetened coconut for that red white and blue effect.

When you think about your Fourth of July spread, cauliflower usually isn't the number one vegetable. How about camouflaging it into dessert?

"Not only is there cauliflower in that frosting, which by the way you can use that frosting for anything. In the cupcakes themselves instead of using butter, I used pureed beets," said Ibrahim.

Cauliflower and beets might seem like an ick factor, but beets naturally contain sugar.

The cauliflower is smooth, creamy and benign, but she adds stevia to the frosting along with vegan cream cheese, although regular cream cheese may be used.

Believe it or not, these taste pretty good.

For any baked goods, she says, "You can substitute a cup of pureed beets for a cup of butter. It's a perfect swap."

Top the cupcakes off with strawberries and blueberries for a flag effect for palate pleasing patriotism.

"As much fruit and veggies on the plate as you can get," she said.

Here is the recipe for the Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Cauliflower Cream Cheese Frosting which are gluten free, along with the "fit bites."