Thesesavory appetizershave a little kick that’s sure to knock your everyday sausage ball off the menu. To ensure the best consistency, be sure tofreshly shred your cheese. Preshredded cheese will make the mixture too dry. Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel Food Styling: Ali Ramee Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland It’s also important to measure the baking mix by lightly spooning and leveling. Packing it into the cup will result in a dry mixture that won’t hold together as well....

You may love it or hate it. If you want to go beyond the iconic canned sauce this year, consider this easy cranberry orange relish. Even if someone is turned off by the canned sauce, they will love this bright cranberry jalapeno relish. Credit: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Ingredients 4cupsfrozen cranberries (from 2 [10-oz.] Transfer to a bowl. Cover; chill at least 4 hours....

Eggplant is cooked until silky and tender, then blended with warm and spicy harissa for a quick dip. Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Eggplants make excellent dips. (Yes, eggplants are fruit not vegetables). Credit:Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Ingredients 1/2cupextra-virgin olive oil 2large(2 lb. total)eggplants, peeled and cut into 1-in. Stir in eggplants, garlic, harissa, salt, and coriander....

Classic caramel corn with cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and dark chocolate. Ingredients 18cupspopped plain popcorn(from 1 [8-oz.] Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside. Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell Place popped popcorn in a large heatproof bowl. Boil, stirring often, until mixture reaches 260F, about 6 minutes. Pour over popcorn in bowl, and stir well to coat. Spread popcorn in an even layer on prepared rimmed baking sheets....

Atop tacos or tortilla chips, this pineapple slaw is spicy, sweet, and oh-so delicious. Made without mayo, it’s an essential and portable recipe to add to yourpicnic collection. Serve it alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, and finger foods. Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Kellie Kelley; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Who can resist a crunchy, festive, and colorfulcoleslaw recipewhen the temperature starts to climb? It serves eight, but can easily be doubled for large gatherings andpotlucks....

The tequila cocktail gets a peppery kick. With this spicy version, jalapeno pepper slices add a little heat. For a mildly spicy cocktail, simply stir the jalapeno slices into the drink. Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox )blanco tequila 2Tbsp. )fresh lime juice(from 1 lime) 6Tbsp. Add peppers: Add pepper slices to glass. For a spicier cocktail, lightly muddle pepper slices. Fill glass with ice. Add remaining ingredients, and stir: Add blanco tequila and lime juice....

Top tacos and fish sandwiches with this quick-to-make, versatile side. Use red or green cabbageboth taste delicious. Ingredients 4cupsthinly sliced red or green cabbage(from 1 small [2-3 lb.] Credit:Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer head cabbage) 1cupthinly sliced sweet onion(from 1 medium [11 oz.] Lightly massage mixture using hands until cabbage softens slightly. Use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

These strawberry and goat cheese crostini are an impressively simple appetizer for summer entertaining. Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Easy, beautiful, delicious. This recipe is also easily customizable based on what you have in your fridge. Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely The touch of jalapeno brings this strawberry-forward appetizer in a more savory direction, without overwhelming you with heat. If you want to dial up the heat, use the entire jalapeno....

To make this cake alcohol-free, substitute heavy cream for the bourbon. (2 1/2 oz.) Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Slowly add granulated sugar, beating until combined, about 2 minutes. Beat on medium for 1 minute after adding last egg. Whisk together flour, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl....

Afrittatais an easy way to turn eggs into a satisfying meal to serve hot or at room temp. Heat a 10-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add mushrooms and oil; cook, stirring often, until mushrooms start to brown, about 2 minutes. Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin Add shallots; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 4 minutes. Add spinach in batches, stirring until wilted after each addition....

Sweet Vidalia onions add an unexpected twist to the creamy, crowd-pleasing spinach dipappetizer. Ingredients 3tablespoons(1 1/2 oz.) salted butter 4cupschopped Vidalia or other sweet onions (about 2 large) 1(5-oz.) Credit: Greg Dupree Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped 1teaspoonkosher salt, divided 1/2teaspoonblack pepper, divided 1(16-oz.) Gradually add spinach, stirring just until wilted, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove from heat, and let stand 30 minutes....

An impressive side that will knock the socks off folks at your table. Grease bottom of a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or baking dish with butter. Using a mandoline, thinly slice sweet potatoes (about 1/16 inch thick). Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely (Alternatively, thinly slice sweet potatoes 1/8 inch thick using a chefs knife.) Place stacks of sweet potato slices on their sides in prepared pan, fanning slightly....

you’re free to’t add too many strawberries to this spring salad. The crunchy bacon pairs beautifully with the sweet strawberry vinaigrette and thinly sliced shallot. Make this dressing in bulk, and keep it in your weekly salad rotation. Credit:Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Make this bold salad more filling by adding shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked whole grains. 1(4-oz.) Process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Arrange spring mix on a large platter....