To enter today’s blog giveaway for your chance to win one of our prize packs, leave a comment on this blog post and tell us your favorite dish to take to summer time parties. Do you have a go-to recipe that friends and family rely on you to bring? Do you try new things each time? What dish means summer to you?
Eligible entries must be posted today, Tuesday, July 5, 2011. U.S. Residents only. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win. Winners will be drawn at random on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 and notified via e-mail. (Please make sure Cotton Babies staff can see your e-mail in your comment or through your Blogger profile page.)
About the Author
Heather is mom to four, born within 40 months (single, twins, single). She writes transparently about her chaotic household to encourage others through the twists and turns of parenting.
Comments
257 Comments
I have a classic recipe I always bring, Cold veggie and dill pasta salad. Its pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers and green onion. The dressing is mayo, mustard, italian dressing and dill. Its so good, we hardly have leftovers and if we do, we eat it for breakfast!
I like to change it up depending on what other people are bringing. I always like to make sure there are enough main dishes.
I am always counted on to bring a taco dip with chips. Everyone loves it and its always the first thing to be gone. 🙂
Kellie Millikan
barbee77@yahoo.com
a favorite with our family is German potato salad – it was my grandmothers recipe and my mom passed it on to me. Summer BBQ’s just aren’t the same without it.
Billandmeganharris@yahoo.com
banana pudding! I was so excited to find instant pudding and vanilla wafers at trader joe’s without artificial colors, flavors, or HFCS.
amanda c
jewellbird03 at gmail dot com
I love to bring some kind of dessert, either a pie or cheesecake!
punkrockchicsroadtobliss@gmail.com
fruit! then I know for sure there will be something healthy that I like!
nchernandez at gmail dot com
I like bringing deviled eggs! yepitsme3@yahoo.com
I always make a fruit bouquet!
I always bring fruit or veggies or both! There are rarely healthy options at get togethers so I bring my own!
Potato salad, dill pickles, watermelon, hotdogs- all these foods are summer foods to me! cathylockerby2@gmail.com
Pretzel salad! Strawberry is our favorite 🙂
douglauraneal at windstream dot net
I love to make Rachael Ray’s Pesto 3 Bean Salad. It’s crazy good and something a little different.
madelinemiller at gmail dot com
My favorite dish to bring is dessert. I make individual cheese cakes if keeping them refrigerated will not be a problem. Otherwise, I make brownies, or cookies, etc.
I love bringing strawberry pretzel salad. It is a family favorite and so so good!
I always bring an Antipasto salad…very easy to make and so good!
We are known for our appetizers – everyone loves the ham roll ups that my husband makes PERFECTLY. he is such a perfectionist!
Some of my favorite summer dishes to bring are potato salad, coleslaw, or a corn dish that I make with corn, cream cheese, bacon, and garlic powder. Yum!!
mamabear2four@att.net
Nothing says summer to me more than a fresh watermellon. Whenever we go to a party in the summer I usually try to bring a fresh fruit salad or mini sandwiches with sliced watermellon.
Caprese salad — fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella. A little kosher salt and olive oil. Tastes like summer!
Fruit Pizza – Slice and press a log of sugar cookie dough into a pizza pan to for the ‘dough’ and bake until light brown. Let it cool completely. Once cold, spread cool whip on the top and then decorate with the season’s freshest and finest fruits. Super yummy, but not for suitable for sitting outdoors too long in the heat.
I usually bring a couscous dish with feta and chickpeas
jenniferbleiler at gmail dot com
My Grandma’s baked beans for sure. They are the best! Thanks for the opportunity!
cholita41 at yahoo dot com
Any kind of pasta salad – more specifically rotini or bow tie noodles with black olives, zucchini, pepperoni, and italian salad dressing. So delicious!
kourtney.backowski@gmail.com
I usually bring something different each time-baked beans, some type of salad, bread, the list is endless. I LOVE trying out new recipes (and thank you for the giveaway!!). I love Flip diapers.
mummytocharis@yahoo.com
i always bring home made banana pudding! Everyone requests it every time!
anw1107@aol.com
My husbands favorite dish is deviled eggs, but I prefer a big fruit salad.
We always bring a “from scratch” chocolate cake or a Strawberry Spinach salad.
For a dessert we bring chocolate chip cookies that have pudding in the mix. One popular salad is a spinach salad with a ketchup/vinegar based dressing.
trishabear1970 at yahoo dot com
Broccoli Salad. It, of course, has broccoli,and other ingredients, not in any particular order: bacon, white raisins, vinegar, mayo, peanut butter, and sunflower seeds. Sounds weird, but it comes together and tastes divine. Everyone asks for the recipe, except the broccoli haters. 🙂
I live on this pasta salad during the summer, and I love to introduce people to it!
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Tuna-Pasta-Salad-528
annemarie.apollo [@] gmail.com
I bring homemade potato salad using the recipe my mom taught me!
lees4899@yahoo.com
Roasted Red Pepper dip in a Bread bowl. Yummy!!!
My favorite is fruit salad. mmmmmmmm so good!!!
popita624 {at} gmail {dot} com
for summer time parties i like to make a bunch of little goodies (rice krispie treats, brownies, small chunks of cake), fruit, and pretzels and I break out the chocolate fondue fountain! it is messy so that makes it a great out door treat!
ortizm18 AT gmail DOT com
I tend to be a dessert bringer, but I also like a good salad. I make one with roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, avocado, tomatoes, etc, with a garlic/cilantro dressing. Easy, healthy, delicious. Pretty filling as a main course, too.
my pasta salad is always a hit! alicia . haler at gmail . com
I like to bring 7 layer dip. It is my husband’s favorite and most people like it. I dont think you can go wrong with it.
I like to take a plate of cut-up raw veggies and dip.
I love to cook, and I make alot of things! It’s normally whatever sounds good that day. I have made Butterfinger Brownies a few times lately-they get devoured!!!
I have a go to mango, black bean and lime salsa. YUM!
Pasta Salad! 🙂
My favorite dish to bring to Summer get togethers would have to be Italian pasta salad. Rotini noodles, broccoli, cauliflower, cubed cheese, black olives, and a bottle of Italian dressing. Yum!
We always bring Deviled eggs, they are so easy to make and so good! It’s a staple.
snathansulman@gmail.com
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice, drained, juice reserved
1 jar (6 oz) maraschino cherries without stems, drained
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix
Vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). In 13×9-inch pan, melt butter in oven. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter. Arrange pineapple slices on brown sugar. Place cherry in center of each pineapple slice, and arrange remaining cherries around slices; press gently into brown sugar.Add enough water to reserved pineapple juice to measure 1 1/4 cups. Make cake batter as directed on box, substituting pineapple juice mixture for the water. Pour batter over pineapple and cherries.Bake 40 to 45 minutes (42 to 48 minutes for dark or nonstick pan) or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Place heatproof serving plate upside down onto pan; turn plate and pan over. Leave pan over cake 5 minutes so brown sugar topping can drizzle over cake; remove pan. Cool 30 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Store covered in refrigerator.
I like to bring a variety of fruit. But nothing says summer to me like watermelon! 🙂
I always do chocolate covered strawberries and pinapples! THey are a hit!
channinggrinnell (at) yahoo (dot) com
I bring the dessert! My specialty is cheesecake but I found a delicious pink-lemonade pie recipe for this year! Yum!
Addy (dot) Liebelt (at) gmail (dot) com
I like sweets
I bring the hummus! I make it from scratch from dried chickpeas I get from the Indian Market. It’s so yummy! Also, there was a study that showed fresh hummus elevates your mood. Perfect party food! =)
My favorite summer food would probably be watermelon or homemade juice pops!
I love to bring chocolate chip cookies (homemade of course!). They’re yummy and easy to serve, store and transport.
indylibrarian at gmail . com
I love bringing fruit salad!
I love making homemade salsa. My ds doesn’t like the spicy milk he gets afterward though! stacey.williams at hotmail dot com
I do not like to cook. So my go to dish is cut up seedless watermelon. It is always a hit and easy.
Red velvet cake or sweet and tangy meatballs.
plumdelasucrose08(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like to bring different salads. My current favorite is Orange Pineapple Salad. It’s light and refreshing. Perfect for hot summer days plus both adults and kids love it.
I love to bring an angel food cake or cupcakes. I like to make different designs like animals and foods with cupcakes.
I love bringing baked beans! It’s my mom’s recipe and delicious!
swimmingsilly84 at aol dot com
This comment has been removed by the author.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Mmmmm!
I have a pretty amazing dip recipe for dipping tortilla chips in. I usually bring that, or a dessert, (my favorite). 🙂 aprilasheen at gmail dot com
I usually take either layered jello squares or brownies. Yum! 🙂
orangedaisy85 at yahoo dot com
Peanut butter pie! It is to die for and is always requested.
princesslolly18 at hotmail dot com
Cactus salad ( cooked cooled and chopped cactus with fresh lime juice, tomato, onion, cilantro, a bit of salt and pepper)
I always take Strawberry Pretzel Jello. It’s my go-to dish. Crunch, creamy, salty, and sweet!
i like to bring garden salad, and if the timing is right the lettuce is from our backyard garden! I like to keep it simple in the summer heat and cut down on baking and cooking during these months to keep utility costs down, so salad and sometimes fruit dishes are great for bringing to social events.
emma g.
03elewis @msn.com
I take an avocado salad to everything!
My favorite dish to bring is a big plate of fresh fruit. That way I know something there will be healthy.
Somen Salad!
bethfuji@gmail.com
I like to bring cheesecake covered brownies, they are always the first desert to go! I found the recipe on the Philadelphia Cream cheese website. The trick is to cut them into small pieces. I like to melt chocolate and drizzle it over each piece. Okay, now I have to go make some!!
sulmanangela@gmail.com
I like to bring guacamole and chips! Yum!!!!
Karenmwebster@gmail.com
I really enjoy bringing cheese ball and crackers, I made up my own recipe where I throw in a little bit of everything, and everyone seems to love it, cause I rarely have anything to take home! 🙂
Natalie G.
natsue86@gmail.com
I am always asked to bring homemade brownies and potaoe salad. I have recently made homemade bacon ranch pasta and it has been a real big hit!
maeg.harris@gmail.com
I bring different things every time. Strawberry Shortcake means summer to me. My mom would make this all the time, especially when strawberries were in season. My mom would pick her own at the strawberry patch, and bake her own shortcake. Strawberry shortcake means summer to me.
I’ve been taking cantaloupe with mint, lime, ginger, honey and sugar. Everyone loves it!!!
loscaters at msn dot com
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pasta salad, yummmm:
1 pkg tri-colored noodles, cooked & drained
1 can tuna
shredded mozzarella (to taste)
Italian salad dressing (to taste)
Mix in large bowl. Chill completely.
It is sooo easy and everyone raves about it!
floscarmeli at gmail dot com
My favorite summer salad – baby spinach, fresh strawberries, pecans, blue cheese crumbles and balsamic vinaigrette. Yummy!
So excited about the white flips!
I am the dessert lady. Usually some kind of cake. Recently I have been loving English trifle. Too delicious!
I love to take Italian Potato Salad. Red potatoes boiled and then add a little oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Serve at room temperature. Wont go bad in this AZ heat and delicious!!
I usually bring something different every time, but one of my personal summertime favorites is lavender pie. I was a raw food chef for a couple of years, and this was one of the more popular desserts we served, so pretty with real lavender and rose petals sprinkled on top.
helena@studio32.com
I make bruschetta with 3 med. tomatoes, 1 large onion, and 2-3 cucumbers, diced, with a couple cloves of garlic, a generous amount of olive oil and 1/3 cup dried basil, with homemade bread to serve. It’s messy but soooo yummy!
ademarco88@gmail.com
Thanks for a great giveaway! 🙂 I’m always the one that brings the festive cupcakes! I also love to bring a simple pasta veggie salad 🙂
Almost always a dessert, different every time but with some form of chocolate usually! Chocolate Toffee Caramel Bars are a fave.
sarah.urhahn@gmail.com
Sadly… watermelon or a bag of chips. Usually the gatherings are for my DH’s dept. that I find out about with approximately 2 hours advance notice. For actual gatherings with friends, rare though they may be, I do often get requests for chocolate chip cookies.
4marypoppins@gmail.com
We like black bean corn salsa and baked tostitos. I could eat it all myself
melissasevena@gmail.com
I LOVE taco dip! It’s something that everyone has always made. It is basically refried beans, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes, layered on top of each other. Usually served in a glass dish the size of a cake pan. You eat it with tortilla chips. Hmmmm! I could eat it all day!
I bring desert, usually fudgy brownies, and fresh vegetables to balance them out.
bagel270@hotmail.com
I bring different things, but it’s almost always dessert. 😉
brian.lisa.payne at gmail.com
Strawberry rhubarb pie!! (that my hubby makes!!!)
monnirenee@yahoo.com
I love to bring deviled eggs, they’re a favorite in my family!
I am the guacamole lady! Everyone knows that is what I am going to bring and it is GOOD!
acbchottie (at) yahoo (dot) com
I like to bring something lemony…lemon pie, lemon cake, lemon cookies. Lemon just feels so refreshing in the summer.
I usually make a cherry tomato salad. Halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, salt and pepper, and sometimes a splash of balsamic vinegar…
Homemade guacamole and homemade tortilla chips!
Fruit Salad!!
I bring a fruit salad! Very refreshing on hot summer days!
ramos.saraelizabeth [at] gmail [dot] com.
My favorite dish to bring is homemade coleslaw made without mayo (which I cannot stand). Most people have never had it prepared that way, but it goes fast once people try it.
smmckee7 at yahoo dot com
I make something different each time. Usually fresh fruit or a fresh veggie salad. I also love to bake and my kids love to help, so cupcakes for them to decorate is a favorite to make too.
Honestly? I love blueberries and cherries. Simple summertime fruit makes me happy!
elwingarwen at yahoo dot com
my favorite dish by far is white cake baked, then put red jellow over top letting it seap into the cake , cooled then topped with sliced strawberries, then whipped cream.
YUMMMMMo
outofthoughts1 at gmail dot com
Broccoli Salad. Delicious and fresh! Broccoli, bacon, onion, sunflower seeds, white raisins. Mmmm…
I always take a cucumber and pasta salad… delish!
gst017 at gmail dot com
the newest favorite is ooey gooey butter cake,yum!!!
Oreo balls! Not the healthiest option but my in laws count on me bringing them!
I love to make fruit pizza during the summer. I make it with a sugar cookie crust, a sweet cream cheese sauce and a wide variety of fresh fruit on top. It’s cool and sweet and perfect for a warm summer evening!
jdeemarie @ gmail.com
I either bring cole/broccoli slaw with Maries coleslaw dressing or 5 bean salad. All these ideas sound so yummy will definetly be switching things up to try many if these great dishes!
Roasted garlic scapes! Since they are only available in early summer, we make them for our cookouts. They taste like garlic green beans, but sweet. On a salad, burger, or on their own they are amazing!
I like to bring pasta salad!!
I make the best potato salad and often take it to share!
Anonymous said…I bring fresh mozzarella salad. Just fresh mozzarella, fresh cut cherry tomatoes, olive oil, fresh ground pepper and cilantro. YUM!
Always a hit!
snoogaboobaby @ gmail.com
I like to bring caprese salad with local ingredients or cold veggie pizza with local veggies.
I like bringing homemade salsa. It’s so good and everyone loves it!
I love bringing fruit pizza. Sugar cookie for the crust, top with cream cheese frosting and fruit. Yum!
I make homemade strawberry marshmallows with organic local strawberries, those are always a hit!
I love to take a fresh veggie tray using local produce! It is so refreshing and healthy plus it supports the local farmers.
clarinet_42@yahoo.com
I almost always use parties as a reason to try a new recipe, but I try to sign up to bring something that I can re-interpret as “healthy *and* delicious” since most dishes will fall only in the second of those! This year we hosted teh 4th of July BBQ so I just stuck with classic burgers & fixings but made a special sauce for the burgers.
I don’t usually bring the same thing…but a dip is common–homemade guac, bread bowl and vegie dip, or crab dip! joyful828 @ gmail.com
my mom’s FAMOUS blueberry pie…that only she can make 🙂 swike34@yahoo.com
Aioli Potato Salad! I’m hungry just thinking about it.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I am a horrible cook; I like to bring drinks or supplies (cups/paper plates/napkins), or chips & dip!!
I love a spinach salad with whatever fruit is in season. It always seems to be a hit.
We usually get together with family, so we bring whatever dish Grandma tells us to. 🙂 Usually, we arrive bearing a salad of some kind – though in my family that can be anything from lettuce to jello!
Brownies with a strawberry and powdered sugar on top! Yummy!
annaholczer@ gmail.com
It depends on how much time I have! Sometimes I just cut up watermelon and cantelope, but if I have motre time I love to make homemade brownies! Sometimes I do both!
Greek Quinoa salad! thestaves@comcast.net
I usually bring a pear gorgonzola salad. In the summer I make it with strawberries, candied walnuts, spinach, gorgonzola and a vinegrette.
It’s yummy! thesparklemama@gmail.com
Definitely a layered taco dip and corn chips!
allisonm.hunt @ yahoo dot com
I raise chickens so I like to take deviled eggs! Everyone loves how delicious FRESH, ORGANIC eggs taste 🙂
I always bring a variety of things. Sometimes cheese cake, sometime bean dip, sometimes just the baby. Everyone likes a good baby hanging around!
We like to bring potato salad or deviled eggs or fruit or baked beans….I guess we take something different every time. 🙂
I have recently started making a salad that makes a great dish to take to a get-together. It’s basically salad greens, topped with pepper chunks of all bright colors, sharp cheddar cubes, tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette and TastyBite brand “Chunky Chickpeas”. YUM!!!
So easy and SOOO good!!
renithered@gmail.com
Black bean salsa with fresh tomato, corn and cilantro!
lauraclarekelly at hotmail dot com
I love to take homemade fruit salad for a fresh dessert or a regular spinach salad with homemade dressing as a side to the lunch/dinner.
We always always always make Armadillo Eggs! It’s a really interesting recipe and sooooo good!
tonymooresmom @ yahoo dot com
We like to bring pasta salad with an Italian dressing. We add cubes of cheese, pepperoni, and various vegetables. You can put in whatever veggies you like and it turns out wonderful everytime!
I like to make a yummy corn and bean salsa!
lisa dot ann dot q at gmail dot com
Depends on where we are going. I have a closely guarded secret brownie recipe that I like to use. I also like to try new things. 🙂 Lately I have been bringing frog eyed salad.
I love to bring my mom’s potato salad she has been making for over 60+ years. It is the best!!
demimo at cox.net
Sopapilla cheesecake bars are my favorite anytime! kim777@aol.com
my go to dish is called cole slaw crunch…it is soo yummy and people devour it!!
dmoretti1967 at yahoo.com
Cucumber tomato salad…always!!!
A large salad with fresh local produce I pick up at our farmers market…and I love to also bring a watermelon. So refreshing on those hot summer days
my summertime go-to for parties is a cherry jello poke cake iced with whipped topping! any other time of year i am ALWAYS asked to bring my macaroni salad. Sometimes both lol
ambrsmommy@hotmail.com
I just recently learned how to make the best soft chocolate chip cookies, there’s never any left. I love fruit salad too!
Nicole R.
nickel9450@yahoo.com
Mmmmm……pasta salad for sure!!
We always bring Italian pasta salad or fruit salad. Both are good stand by’s that everyone always raves about!
We usually bring fruit since it’s something our children will eat.
I usually bring something different. You can’t go wrong with a big green salad full of fresh veggies though!
I usually bring a fruit salad – simple and refreshing. Summer always reminds me of my mom’s potato salad. Many referred to it as Joan’s Bad to the Bone Potato Salad! Unfortunately I never learned her recipe before she passed away 2 years ago 🙁
I’m the baker so anything sweet but mostly everyone wants my cheesecake LOL as far as what means summer that would have to be my husbands JERK CHICKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nothing like a real jamaican man making real jerk chicken & you don’t even have to go to the island to get it! 🙂
asparagus with a bit of lemon juice- so fresh tasting! and blueberry anything- can’t have too many blueberries :O)
Watergate Salad! It’s pistachio pudding with pineapple and coolwhip. I add maraschino cherries and mandarin oranges to mine. It’s always a huge hit!
I love to bring Crab Cream Cheese Dip. It is cream cheese, covered with crab, topped with Heinz Chili Sauce and serve with crackers! Its easy, different, and yummy!
Green salad- a salad with cool whip, cottage cheese, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and pistachio pudding mix.
Jello cake
My new favorite is homemade salsa made with produce from our local farmer’s market: tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, and lime!
Bean and corn salad: black beans, corn, tomatoes, vidalia onions, fresh basil, balsamic viniagrette – chilled overnight. Looks like lots of people have different versions, but all so good!
tclawson16 at yahoo
I always bring the potato salad. That’s what everyone always asks for. Which is fine because both my kids love it and I’ll take home made potato salad over store bought any day. Lol. In summer we love to make home made ice cream too. Its a 4th of July tradition my mom started and now I do with my family. Our favorite is cherry almond ice cream. Yummy!
nothing says summer like fruit salad with local fruit! Watermelon from Hermiston, Strawberries from Mt. Hood. Blueberries from Boring. Peaches from Silverton. YUM YUM YUM
silentsand at m s n dot com
I love to bring dessert. My favorite go-to dessert right now is my friend Jenna’s brownies. It is a layer of brownies, vanilla whipped frosting and then topped off with rice krispies, peanut butter and melted chocolate! So yummy!
Baked Beans! They are always a hit!! I add lots of bacon on top and make them extra sweet! Yummy!
I usually try to mix it up, but some of my favorites are deviled eggs, banana pudding, or spinach quiche.
~emilie
dangergirl 0138 at sbcglobal.net
cowboy caviar for sure!
I like to make a bean and corn salad: whatever beans you have on hand (black, pinto, etc.), sweet corn, diced tomatoes (or halved cherry tomatoes), cilantro, diced red onion, a bit of minced garlic, a sprinkle of salt. Better if it sits in the fridge overnight. Serve with tortilla or pita chips.
matsspellsmats at yahoo dot com
I most always take a fruit or veggie tray! But the dish that means summer time to me is always Burgers or Brats on the grill, corn on the cobb, and baked beans! YUM!
fruit salad is my favorite. Perfect for hot weather!
markafisher7@yahoo.com
3 layer chip dip
Watergate Salad!! It’s so yummy! It’s pistachio pudding, cool whip, pecans, pineapple and marshmallows.
I like to bring cake pops or my homemade pizza butter! It’s always a real hit! :o)
shelbken@gmail.com
Hands down- my greek pasta salad. Full of fresh veggies and plenty of feta, it is best at room temp. so perfect for summer gatherings. Everyone request it so it has just come to be known that I will bring it to every cookout, shower, party- whatever! In fact, my sister-in-law just had a major surgery and when I called her husband the day afterwards to see what we could do to help, he said she was requesting some of my pasta salad to be waiting on her when she got home. lol!
I mix it up when it comes to a dish to bring, but one that speaks summer to me is fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil mixed with balsamic vinaigrette. mmmmm!
blue.eyes85 at gmail.com
My favorite summer dish to make is blueberry or peach cobbler. We love picking wild blueberries, so it’s not hard to get the ingredients. 🙂
I don’t think I have one favorite dish, but I really like to take homemade fruit salsa w/ a batch of homemade cinnamon tortilla chips. Yum! 🙂
melissa(dot)shoop(at)gmail(dot)com
I don’t have a set thing I bring, but I love to bake things.
kelkel036@hotmail.com
I always take Oven Ham Sammies or cold veggie pizza. They are an absolute hit and are always the first things gone!
I either bring dessert or potato salad. aliciaowens85 @ yahoo dot com
I typically bring some potato salad. If I’m not in the mood to make it, I’ll bring some brownies or cookies or some other type of dessert.
My favorite summer dish to make is my very berry mousse cream pie that I make from (almost) scratch. My family absolutely loves it!! I am no longer allowed to come to summer events without my pie!
Everyone loves my simple coleslaw. I think it’s just one of those things that goes great with whatever else is being served!
can.nelson.dice @gmail.com
I usually just bring fresh fruit! It’s definitely my go to dish in the summer…can’t beat it!
Thrushdk@gmail.com
I love to make a marinated mushroom salad for our annual family reunion.
medellia_4 at yahoo dot com
i love to carve out a watermelon in a fun shape and fill with grapes, strawberries, pineapple, and honeydew melon!!
lucygal102@Yahoo.com
7 layer dip. Easy and always a favorite! Plus, I can make it with fat free beans and low fat sour cream so it’s kind of healthy!
My favorite thing to take is BBQ pulled pork. I also love to bring coleslaw or a desert if I want to be different and not do the pulled pork.
c.mitchell3@hotmail.com
Strawberry shortcake! Light and fresh and perfect for summer! Yummy!
Fruit and dip 🙂
jennifer dot gartside at yahoo dot com
We usually bring the beverages, some sweet tea or homegrown lemonade.
monicapharr@hotmail.com
i usually switch it up 🙂 but my favorite summer dish is light and Fruity pie!! jello and cool whip with fresh fruit…NOW that is summer to me 🙂
Since my son has to eat gluten-free, we usually take something very gluten-friendly. This summer the big hit has been GF lemon cream cup cakes! They are bright, light and delicious and don’t taste gluten-free so everyone enjoys them.
spinach dip and hawaiin bread is always a good summer treat:-):-):-)
I love to make and take Fruit Pizza. It’s so yummy and refreshing with all the fresh fruits, and screams SUMMER to me. 🙂
mama_destiny@msn.com
I love making guacamole or bring fresh fruit.
etwilkins at gmail dot com
I love to make fruit salad with marshmallows!
chantelle.reinhardt@gmail.com
Mac salad! I just learned to make it and everyone always loves it 🙂
I usually take my mother-in-law’s recipe for Chinese chicken salad!
I either bring an appetizer- homemade 7 layer dip- or my famous turtle brownies.
carolynsoke@hotmail.com
My favorite dish to bring is a nice, cold fruit plate or watermelon. With temps over 100 everyone is wanting something cold and fresh to eat!
tvpg at aol dot com
I like to bring fruit!
I dont have a go to recipe. But during the summer I like to use as many fresh ingredients as possible. This summer I am going to be trying a recipe from my Sunset magazine for strawberry shortcake grilled shishkabobs.
Juttageisele@Hotmail.com
We love to do rhubarb crumble. It’s such a wonderful summer food–always excited for the first one of the summer!! We rarely bring any home from outings.
My summer staple is greek quinoa salad. It’s light but with a punch to it due to all the greek flavors (feta, red onion, olives).
jeju1230@yahoo.com
I like to make tabbouleh and sub in whatever grain I have- sometimes bulgar, quinoa, or couscous. It uses a lot of fresh summer veggies so it always tastes great this time of year.
I like to take some spinach dip in a pumpernickel bowl or fruit salad.
I am doing a lot of baking right now, so I enjoy bringing cake-pops to get togethers!
HDP77@yahoo.com
I’ll make pasta salad or snickerdoodles.
lainehosey at gmail dot com
I make cake balls. The kids think they are fun.
mommygoingreen4 @ yahoo .com
We love to make fresh bruschetta all summer long! We toast up slices of baguette, slice up some soft, fresh mozzarella, cut up warm, fresh tomatoes from our porch plant, toss in some fresh picked basil leaves, and finish it off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It’s the fresh-grown taste of summer in every bite!
Black bean salad with lime juice, cilantro and red onions…
Fruit salad! Nothing says summer like a bowl of fresh seasonal salad! I often add a little yougurt to my fruit salad to make it a little creamy! I get so many complements!
I am always trying a new cupcake batter and new frostings! I love to coordinated my decorating with the hosts (whatever their favorite flavor or theme is– both design and flavors) Still a hit in the summertime 🙂
Lisa
cntrygrllam (at) aol (dot) com
I like to make a spinach dip with water chesnuts! It’s totally quick and easy to make (the recipe is on the lipton dry onion soup mix) and everyone always loves it!
My new favorite is cucumber and herb-y cream cheese finger sandwiches! So refreshing in the summer. A summertime dessert that I love is banana pudding with the vanilla wafers! yum!
Watermelon! Its cool and refreshing. Also, corn on the cob. We prepare it with fresh garlic and butter, wrap it in foil and throw it on the BBQ. So good!
Our favorite recipe for Summer has to be our “Flag Cake”… It originally started out as a 4th of July dish, but now we make it all the time! It’s angel food cake, whipped topping, starwberries and blueberries. SO good 🙂
email: ach1011@hotmail.com
I like finding new recipes. But I especially love dishes in the summer that incorporate fresh fruits. My favorites are tarts, cobblers, and pies. My favorite savory dishes are cheese puffs, 7 layer dip, and funeral potatoes.
I love fresh tomato salad with cucumbers. Splash some olive oil and soy sauce with fresh rosemary, and it is cool and refreshing and delicious!
elaine dot zuber at yahoo dot com
I like to do different dishes, but everyone always wants me to make and bring my deviled eggs and they are always the first thing gone. 🙂 armywife2120 at yahoo dot com
I like to bring dessert to parties. :D. I do different things each time usually, because I love to bake and try new things, but I hate having an entire pie or cake or whatever I feel like making in my house since only I will eat it.
alicia morris 2008 @ gmail . com
I love bringing Greek Pasta Salad – it’s cool and so yummy. Most people around here make Italian pasta salad, so people just love the idea of all the ingredients I use : feta cheese, olives, cherry tomatoes, pepperoni. It’s always a hit!
I make a fruit salad that has strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, granny smith apple, oranges, nectarines, red grapes, and watermelon. The true secret is the dressing. Equal parts lime juice, water, and sugar.
I have a friend who usually gives me lots of rhubarb in the spring; I freeze it and make variations of rhubarb crisp (adding other fruits; my favorite is rhubarb and cherry!). No one asks for it, but I have to eat gluten free, so I always know there will be one dessert at the event that I can eat! Unfortunately, with an 8 month old while working full-time, the rhubarb went bad before I had time to freeze it this year 🙁 so all my crisps will be from store-bought frozen fruits.
goodgracious at juno dot com
My family loves when I bring a trifle. They had apparently never seen one before I ruined an American flag cake by not greasing the pan. Broke completely apart coming out! So I cut it into cubes, layered the strawberries, blue berries and whipped topping I was going to decorate with in a clear bowl. Now they don’t care what I bring as long as a trifle is included! That said I didn’t this year- I am 8 months pregnant, have an almost 2 year old, exhausted, and I have gestational diabetes so I can’t enjoy it anyway. This year it was store bought all the way! Brownch6@hotmail.com
We love making pasta salad for summer time get togethers! It is light and easy and yummy!
sradke1024 at gmail dot com
I am usually asked to bring Peanut Butter Triffle. It’s layered brownies, dark chocolate pudding mixed with melted peanut butter, peanut butter cups, and whipped cream. It’s like heaven on a spoon! 🙂
jenniferwhaley{at}gmail{dot}com
I almost always bring some sort of dessert. One of my favorites is brownies from a mix, topped with a cream cheese and pudding layer, and finished with strawberries, raspberries or cherries.
kolsonheld[at]gmail[dot]com
I am making peach pie with fresh Arkansas peaches!
Not much of a dish… but I always bring fresh sweet corn on the cob. We either grill it or boil it in water (with a little milk). Yumm!
We usually bring a staple item like baked beans or coleslaw.
I like to bring watermelon! Its always a hit, along with popscicles! I also like bringing corn for the grill, too. We recently discovered that putting BBQ sauce on the corn makes grilled corn even better!
Would love to win!
My husband and I are always trying new things, but we love Watergate Salad and are often asked to bring it. For Thanksgiving, we make a pumpkin prailine dessert that is a must have.
candyland121@hotmail.com
I like to bring my Grammy’s potato salad, YUM!
I love to bring fruit salad. I get whatever is best-look and smelling and toss it all together. I usually put mint, ginger and honey on it, but always experiment a little depending on which fruits I am using.
I’m always happy to see potato salad at summer bbqs. Silly, I know. I also love all of the fresh fruits and veggies. It’s definitely my favorite eating season.
Homade brownies are a must.
I usually bring a dessert!
I either bring fruit salad, since it’s easy to make and I know that my kids will eat it, or strawberry pretzel salad, which is always a hit.
Whenever I go to summertime parties, I always bring a fruit salad. The ingredients change, but the yummy whip cream that goes with them stays the same! 😉
Bruschetta with homegrown tomatoes, Mmmm!
I make a vinegar based coleslaw with cabbage and broccoli slaw. It is cool and crunchy and practically a free food as far as dieting goes so I can use my calories on all the bad stuff!!! 😉
I love using my fresh blueberries for s variety of summer dishes, but we usually go with a cobbler for parties! katherine.claytor@yahoo.com
I typically bring a salad made with mixed greens, fresh dill, diced avocado, sliced strawberries, thinly sliced scallions & candied almond slivers lightly dressed with a mixture of olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt & pepper.
I like to do deviled eggs, there are basically 2 ingredients: hard boiled eggs, and Marzetti’s slaw dressing. It’s tangy, but you avoid the mustard or vinegar bite that sometimes happens if you don’t get the right mix doing it with more traditional ingredients. Sprinkle with paprika if you’re so inclined, simple and always a hit!
We love to take buffalo chicken dip to parties any time of the year!
Fmgrice2@yahoo.com
Discovered two new dishes this weekend I’m totally stealing from my sister-in-law: potato salad made with smoked paprika (YUMMERS!) and a jello pretzel ‘cake’ (buttered pretzels baked on the bottom, layer of sugar-whipped cream cheese, topped with raspberry jello and fresh raspberries) – sooooo good!
Pasta salad!
I bring something different every time. My favorite to eat is the oriental slaw. Mmm. And dessert 🙂 skklemm@gmail.com
On one side of the family, I regularly bring deviled eggs. On the other, mix it up and generally don’t bring the same thing!
stinkaminka [at] gmail [dot] com
Most summertime parties we go to end up being a burgers/brats/chips/watermelon type party. 🙂 For special occasions we’ll be the ones to bring dessert, such as the cheesecake we made for my father-in-law’s birthday this weekend!
I bring fruit salad or chocolate chip/oatmeal cookies
I love to bring chocolate chip cookies. May not be the healthiest but so yummy!!
Cucumber, onion, and tomato salad (with Balsamic vineagrette and bleu cheese) is my favorite to bring. It’s light and tasty, and the kids can come up and grab a tomato or cucumber and eat on the run.
I always get requests for my red potato salad. Friends have the recipe, but they say it’s not the same as when I make it.
Everyone loves Trees and Raisins
Ingredients: 1 large head of broccoli, 1 cup bacon bits, 1/2 cup golden raisins, 1/4 cup chopped red onion, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/3 cup sugar, 3 Tbs vinegar (sometimes I add sunflower seeds)
Instructions: Combine broccoli, bacon, raisins, and onions in a large bowl. Blend mayonnaise,sugar, and vinegar. Pour over broccoli mixture. Stir to coat well. Cover and marinate at least one hour.
I bring something different each time. But I really like deviled eggs!
I like to bring homemade hummus with a bag of pita chips. I’m still a novice at cooking, so this is a simple dish that works well for parties, time and again. But if I had to pick a dish that means summer, I would actually pick watermelon! Maybe not a dish, per se, but clearly a summer food.