25 Easy 4th of July Appetizers

These easy 4th of July appetizers will get your Independence Day cookout off to a delicious start! They include fun finger foods, party dips, and more.

Need 4th of July appetizer ideas? We’re here to help!  I’ve rounded up 25 of our best 4th of July appetizers below. They include show-stopping snack platters, fun finger foods, crowd-pleasing party dips, and more. Most showcase fresh summer produce (my favorite 4th of July recipes usually do!), and all of them are delicious. Take a look through—I’m sure you’ll find some you love! Finger Food 4th of July Appetizers Elote If you ask me, grilled corn on the cob is a must at any 4th of July party. But instead of serving it as a side dish, dress it…

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10 Easy Father’s Day Grilling Recipes

These easy grilling recipes would be perfect for a Father's Day cookout! They include fun appetizers, mouthwatering mains, and more.

Father’s Day is coming up this weekend! To celebrate, my family is getting together for a backyard cookout (complete with my favorite Father’s Day side dish—see yesterday’s post!). In case that’s how you’re celebrating too, I’ve rounded up 10 easy grilling recipes below. They include fun appetizers, simple sides, mouthwatering mains, and even a dessert—all of which you can cook on the grill. They minimize cleanup and maximize the time you get to spend outside, which I consider a huge win on any summer holiday. I hope you find some you love…and to all the dads reading, happy Father’s Day!…

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7 Layer Dip

Based on my mom's classic recipe, this 7 layer dip is a perfect party appetizer or game day snack. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping!

7 layer dip might be my favorite party appetizer of all time. If you’re not familiar, this delicious dip combines creamy refried beans with zesty avocado, taco-spiced sour cream, tangy cheddar cheese, and loads of fresh fixings. It’s like bean dip meets guacamole meets pico de gallo and more. I mean, come on—pass the tortilla chips, please! This classic 7 layer dip recipe is based on my mom’s. She made it for every party and gathering when I was growing up, which meant I spent many of those parties and gatherings next to the snack table, piling a little paper plate with…

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Easy Fruit Dip

This fruit dip is creamy, flavorful, and lightly sweet. Easy to make with 5 ingredients, it's perfect for parties, picnics, and as a healthy snack!

Meet our new favorite fruit dip recipe! I’m firmly of the mind that there are very few ways to improve fresh fruit (it’s already delicious!), but this fruit dip might be one of them. I first started making it for my son Ollie, but it didn’t take long for me to start making it for myself too. I think it’s a perfect healthy snack. It’s fairly satisfying, thanks to a base of Greek yogurt and peanut butter, and it’s also delicious, with a smooth, creamy texture and sweet, nutty flavor. Since we’re heading into summer, I’ll also mention that this…

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35 Easy Memorial Day Recipes

Our best Memorial Day recipes! We've rounded up summer salads, sides, dips, desserts, and more—everything you need for a delicious cookout.

The unofficial start of summer is just a few days away—it’s time to plan your Memorial Day menu! I’ve rounded up our best Memorial Day recipes below. They include fresh appetizers, salads, side dishes, drinks, desserts, and more. They’d all be perfect for a Memorial Day cookout…and cookouts all summer long. I know I’ll have many of these recipes on repeat this summer. I hope you also find some you love! Memorial Day Appetizer Recipes Antipasto Platter Bring an Italian vacation to your own backyard with this aperitivo-inspired platter! It’s loaded with marinated mozzarella balls, gigante beans, olives, and more.…

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Easy Bruschetta

Learn how to make bruschetta! This classic Italian appetizer is simple and delicious. Fresh tomatoes and basil top crisp slices of toasted bread.

This bruschetta recipe is simple and classic. Topped with juicy tomatoes, ribbons of basil, garlic, and a touch of balsamic, it’s a delicious reminder that the best way to enjoy peak-season produce is often the simplest. It’s one of my favorite appetizers to make when I’m entertaining in the summer. It’s SO easy, so flavorful, and so fresh. If bruschetta isn’t already in your summer rotation, it should be! Keep reading to learn how to make it. Tomato Bruschetta Ingredients You only need a handful of ingredients to make this bruschetta recipe, so quality counts. You’ll really taste each one! Good…

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Easy Tostadas

This easy tostada recipe is a fast, fresh dinner! I pile crispy tortillas with flavorful toppings like refried beans, avocado, veggies, and cheese.

This tostada recipe is a fun, fresh, and FAST weeknight dinner. Just load up crunchy tostadas with toppings like refried beans, crisp lettuce and cabbage, tomatoes, cheese, and avocado. Squeeze with lime juice, and dig in! This recipe has become a great family meal for us lately…because it’s not a true “recipe” at all. It’s more of a suggestion—the toppings here are flexible, and in our house, everyone chooses their own. I take my tostadas with extra avocado and spicy peppers, Jack skips the avocado and piles on extra cheese, and Ollie goes for whatever he’s in the mood for that…

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40 Best Super Bowl Food Ideas

The best part of Super Bowl Sunday? The snacks! Below, you'll find easy Super Bowl food ideas to help you make a crowd-pleasing game day spread.

Super Bowl snacks are the best part of any Super Bowl party! Ok, for many people, the football is a highlight too, but I think we can all agree that the snacks are still important. To help you celebrate this year’s big game, I’ve rounded up my best Super Bowl food ideas below. They include everything you need to put together an epic game day spread—finger foods, delicious dips, salty snacks, desserts, and more. These Super Bowl recipes are easy, flavorful, and—most importantly—fun. Whether you’re tuning in for the halftime show, the commercials, or the game itself, they’ll make your Super…

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25 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers

Kick off your holiday feast with these easy Thanksgiving appetizers! They include fun, festive ideas like stuffed mushrooms, baked brie, and more.

If I’ve learned one thing from hosting Thanksgiving over the years, it’s this: Thanksgiving appetizers are essential. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve served a holiday meal 30 minutes or an hour (or two) later than planned because my roasted beets were still rock-hard or the water for my mashed potatoes took longer than expected to boil. In those moments, Thanksgiving appetizers save the big day. They tide over hungry guests until it’s time to sit down to dinner, keeping everyone’s spirits up and the atmosphere light. I’m sharing my 25 best Thanksgiving appetizer ideas below. They include a simple cheese…

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Baked Brie

This baked brie recipe is a perfect holiday appetizer. The rich, gooey, melty cheese is guaranteed to wow guests...but it couldn't be simpler to make!

This baked brie recipe is about to become your favorite party appetizer. Rich, gooey, and decked out with flavorful toppings, it looks impressive and tastes delicious. This baked brie will absolutely wow guests. But I’ll let you in on a secret—baked brie is quick and easy to make. It’s as simple as popping a wheel of cheese in the oven and baking until it’s melty and soft…which takes 10 minutes or less! Effortless and elegant, this baked brie recipe is perfect for the holidays or any festive occasion. Put your personal spin on it by playing with the garnishes on top.…

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Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

These buffalo cauliflower wings are an irresistible side dish or game day snack! They have delicious crispy edges and an amazing spicy, tangy flavor.

Buffalo cauliflower wings—a plant-based spin on buffalo chicken wings—are a classic game day snack. But after testing and perfecting this recipe, I’m here to tell you that buffalo cauliflower is wayyyy too good to only make on game day. I’ve been whipping it up for fall gatherings and movie nights, for TV binge sessions and even the occasional lunch or dinner. It’s crispy on the edges and tender in the middle, spicy, tangy, and a little bit sweet. Try one floret erm, wing, and I promise, you’ll be back for more before you know it. My Buffalo Cauliflower Wing Sauce…

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A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.