Fourth of July

Fourth of July is the one holiday that actually lives outside. The grill is running, the cooler is full, and dinner is whatever looks best at peak summer. This is my complete collection of Fourth of July recipes — everything you need from the first cocktail to the last bite of something cold and sweet.

For the grill, start with the Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions — it’s the recipe that converts people who think fruit doesn’t belong on a savory plate. The Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs and Cedar-Plank Grilled Rockfish Tacos round out the grill without repeating the same flavor profile twice. On the side, Summer Orzo Salad travels well and gets better as it sits — exactly what you want at a cookout.

The dessert table is where this collection really shines. The Butterscotch Peach Crisp, Strawberry Shortcake, Blueberry Ice Cream, and Shortbread Ice Cream Sandwiches are all built for summer fruit at its peak. And if you’re making drinks, Jenessa’s Cadillac Margarita is the one that makes people ask for the recipe before they’ve finished the first glass.