No-Cook Appetizers and Salads

Recipe: Barbecue-Peach Summer Rolls

No need to break a sweat assembling all the rolls yourself. Make a small batch to kick-start the party, then offer a platter of the fresh ingredients with the dipping sauce so guests can build their own. Just dip the rice paper sheets in hot water as directed, and wrap with a damp towel to keep them soft. Look for rice paper rounds in the international aisle of large grocery stores or Asian markets.

Recipe: Easy Summer Appetizer Board

No Southern appetizer board is complete without spicy-sweet pickled okra. Our new obsession: Wickles Wicked Okra (wicklespickles.com). We also recommend Olli Salumeria salami, slow-cured in Virginia and found in gourmet grocery stores across the South, but you can choose any of your favorite cured meats.

Recipe: Watermelon "Steak" Salad

Not your mother's fruit salad. A cold, thick, steak-like slice of ripe watermelon pairs unexpectedly well with salty Cotija cheese and a smoky vinaigrette. Also try it with leftover grilled chicken or beef.

Cooking Video: Watermelon "Steak" Salad 

Recipe: White Cheddar-Chive Pimiento Cheese

Here's the secret to nice pimiento-cheese texture: Grate the cheese by hand, half on the large holes of a box grater and half on the small holes. Choose an aged sharp Cheddar cheese for extra bite. Chopped chives and Dijon mustard add piquant punch in place of grated onion.

Recipe: BLT Salad with Olive Vinaigrette

Ready in 20 Minutes
This rustic salad comes together in no time. Our Kalamata Olive Vinaigrette will be your go-to dressing all summer long.

Recipe: Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad

Combine sweet, juicy watermelon chunks with fresh tomato, onion, and a red wine vinaigrette for a salad that is the essence of summer.

Recipe: Green Goddess Dipping Sauce

No need for lots of chopping; let the food processor do all the work in this delicious herb-packed sauce.

Recipe: Tomato-Cucumber Bread Salad

If you'd like to assemble the salad ahead of time, reserve croutons until just before serving; store in the refrigerator.

Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Soup

English, or hothouse, cucumbers have thin skins, few seeds, and mild flavor. English cucumbers are sold wrapped in plastic, rather than coated in wax.

Recipe: New Ambrosia

This recipe is a fresh way to use citrus. Sprinkle toasted sweetened flaked coconut over each serving, if desired.

Recipe: Mango Salad

Create a colorful and healthy salad by combining mango slices, tomato, cucumber, corn, basil, and a lime vinaigrette, then tossing with arugula.

Recipe: Avocado Fruit Salad

You can prepare this salad a day ahead, but don't cut up the avocado or add garnishes until just before you serve it.

Recipe: Blueberry Salsa

Fresh blueberries provide the sweet while jalapeño pepper, bell pepper, and cilantro provide the savory.  Serve with toasted flour tortilla strips for an easy appetizer or side dish.

Recipe: Olives Scaciati

Double the recipe—as we did here—for a dramatic presentation that will feed a large group.