This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
Eating outdoors is always fun, especially when you can keep the dishwashing to a minimum. From Southwestern Sliders to to Baileys Cheesecake Marbled Brownies, these dishes are all easy to make, serve and eat — perfect for summer entertaining.
These drip-down-your-chin sliders are jazzed up with smoky Southwestern spices, jalapeño pepper and Jack cheese. They are phenomenal with my Roasted Tomato Peach Jam, which is more of a tangy-sweet relish than a true jam, but ketchup and salsa will work too. GET THE RECIPE
You can’t have a party without guac! While the traditional version is made with raw onions, this recipe is made with roasted garlic, which has just as much flavor and none of unpleasant aftertaste. Always a crowd-pleaser! GET THE RECIPE
Whether you serve this for dinner with pasta and a veggie or as an appetizer all alone, the shrimp disappear in a flash. Trust me, no matter how much you think you’ll need, make extra! GET THE RECIPE
Thought Rice Krispies Treats couldn’t get any better? Wrong! These toasty, caramel-y treats are made with a secret ingredient. I’ll give you a clue: it starts with “golden” and ends with “grahams.” GET THE RECIPE
Classic Buffalo wings are fried but grilled wings are truly no fuss, no muss and finger lickin’ good! The key is to cook them over a moderate flame so that the fat renders out and the skin gets nice and crispy. GET THE RECIPE
Coconut Shrimp are served at many restaurants, but this homemade version beats them all. They’re easy to make: you can do all of the preparation in advance and the sauce comes straight out of a bottle. GET THE RECIPE
Also known as Snowballs, Butter Balls or Russian Tea Cakes, wedding cookies are crisp, shortbread-like cookies made from ground nuts, flour, butter and sugar. This summery version is flavored with lime, pecans and ground coconut. GET THE RECIPE
Transform an ordinary block of feta into an addictive and flavorful spread with burst cherry tomatoes, capers and a flash under the broiler. GET THE RECIPE
These meatballs are so much better than the grape jelly versions you’ve had before. You’ll love that the meatballs are baked, not fried, and the sweet and tangy sauce is ready in under 15 minutes. Just be sure to make extra — they disappear in a flash. GET THE RECIPE
With a crisp and buttery shortbread crust, luscious lemon filling, and powdered sugar topping, these squares as pretty as they are delicious. GET THE RECIPE
Adding herbs to deviled eggs is a simple way to dress them up and make them just a little more flavorful. Feel free to omit the herbs or add your own favorite toppings. GET THE RECIPE
Spiked with Baileys Irish Cream, these chocolate brownies with a swirl of tangy cheesecake are out-of-this-world. They are cakey on the bottom, alternately fudgy and creamy in the center and crisp on top. Be sure to cut them small — they’re rich as sin. GET THE RECIPE
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.