Salads at 4th of July cookouts and summer picnics tend to fall into a few worn-out categories. Mayo-laden potato salad. Greasy pasta salad. Maybe a tomato salad if you're lucky. Salads and side dishes get short shrift next to the blazing grill and charcoal taste of those cheeseburgers, or the splendor of the blueberry flag cake. Well, that shouldn't be so. Here are 15 summer salads that offer delicious summer taste, and something fresh, something new for your summer picnic table. More

Don't worry, we're going to get to the traditional flag cake. It's a classic! And so easy and festive. But first, how gorgeous is this patriotic layered cake? It's from Bree at Baked Bree, and we think it's stunning. More

It is officially the summer, school is out, the barbeques are all fired up, and it is July 4th weekend. The US wine industry just keeps growing and growing, and it remains the largest in the world. So on this most American of occasions why not be patriotic and make a point to drink wines from the USA? More

Q:  My husband are throwing a 4th of July party for our friends. I am a vegetarian and my husband is not very good with the BBQ, nor does he want to cook during our party. It seems that everyone expects BBQ at this type of thing, but there's got to be something else. I don't mind hard work in the food preparation and I don't mind ideas with meat (I just won't eat it). Can anyone recommend ideas?

Sent by Allison More

This weekend I am taking a platter of chicken over to a friend's. We're having a good old-fashioned cook-out, and I am already thinking of moist, flavorful grilled chicken. I have my eye on a couple of recipes, but I'd love to know: What do you think are the best recipes for marinades or glazes for tender grilled chicken? More

We took a walk back through our archives of grilling goodness and came back with an armful of good ideas, helpful tips, and inspirational recipes. From cinnamon stick skewers to when (and why) to leave the lid on while grilling, here are 21 of the more intriguing posts to help you grill out on the 4th. More

We don't often venture into kitschy territory with food (bad childhood memories of green milk on St. Patrick's Day), but there are a lot of dishes you can make that are red, white, and blue without feeling forced. And if you don't like our suggestions, you can always stick to a flag cake (or the more modern fruit flag!)... More

We'll show you a few more good ideas for tasteful red, white, and blue food later today, but here's a first look: a patriotically-arranged fruit platter. More

It is almost July 4th again. Summer has finally arrived, and it is time to take to eating outdoors. Which wines will you serve for your gatherings and celebrations? Do you feel nationalistic and always choose American wines or does it matter, as long as you are having fun? More

Yes, we have talked about this before. We've written about making perfectly juicy burgers and how to build one (complete with diagram). But this weekend being a burger-noshing holiday, we thought more tips couldn't hurt. The Times interviewed 30 chefs to find out what makes a good burger, and they've got some advice... More