Fourth of July Fireworks (By racheljaneen )

Vinegar and Spice Oven Ribs

You can enjoy these tender pork ribs, marinated in lemon and brown sugar, year-round. (By Kate Ramos)

Classic Mac Salad

Irresistibly creamy pasta with crunch and zing. (By Amy Wisniewski)

Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad

The sweetness of fresh corn and tomatoes gets tamed by lemon juice and thinly sliced basil. (By Kate Ramos)

Baby Arugula Salad with Nectarines and Toasted Hazelnuts

Substitute seasonal ingredients for a salad that’s great year-round. (By Luke Knowland)

Rocky Road Bars

The classic sundae trio morphs into a bar cookie. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich with Egg Salad and Bacon

A big hit on the CHOW camping trip, though it’s great anytime. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Harissa-Marinated Tri-Tip Roast

Harissa paste spices up this quick preparation. (By Kate Ramos)

Chocolate Icebox Cake with Mascarpone and Blackberries

A rich, easy, no-bake dessert that combines chocolate wafers and blackberry liqueur. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake

Strawberries pair with mascarpone, sweet whipped cream, and a light chiffon cake with a hint of lemon. (By Amy Wisniewski)

Tropical Fruit Salad with Cacao Nibs

Mango, papaya, and banana, with the added crunch of hazelnuts and slightly bitter cacao nibs. (By Adela Jung)

Cornmeal-Crusted Goat Cheese with Hot Tomato Salsa

Crunchy, creamy, and spicy. (By Susan Curtis and Nicole Curtis Ammerman)

Backyard Championship Ribs

You don’t need a mega-barbecuer to get slow-cooked flavor and tenderness. (By Ray Lampe)