Here are some easy summer appetizers that are quick to prepare. Summer is a great time for entertaining at all kinds of events from 4th of July parties, family functions, graduations, to just relaxing and spending time with your friends. These quick and flavorful appetizers are perfect summer party recipes and will make all your get-togethers easy, delicious, and fun.

Fruity Salsa Dip: Take one-half cup diced of each of the following and combine in a bowl: fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) peaches, jicama (peeled), celery, red onion, and tomatoes. Add fresh squeezed lemon juice to taste and toss again to combine. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator for an hour and serve with your favorite chips for dipping.

Bacon Shrimp Cocktail: In a bowl combine cooked, shelled shrimp (cut into chunks), some thinly sliced scallions, a couple of slices of crispy cooked bacon (crumbled), some sour cream (enough to moisten), some fresh squeezed lemon juice and mix well. Serve this flavorful summer appetizer chilled in prepared baked puff pastry shells with a slice of lemon on the side.

Olive Spread Stackers: Take some crispbread crackers and spread a layer of olive tapenade on each cracker then top with sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, a couple of roasted red pepper strips, and a sprinkling of fresh chopped basil.

Ham and Cheese Roll-Up Appetizers: Take a slice of deli ham and place a thin slice of Swiss Cheese on top of the ham. Spread the cheese with a combination of sour cream and spicy mustard and a sprinkling of dried or fresh dill. Then place a thin breadstick (your favorite flavor – plain, garlic, cheese, etc.) on top of the cheese near the edge and roll up tightly.

Creamy Potato Toppers: Take small red potatoes and cut into one-quarter inch thick slices. Steam until tender but not mushy, carefully remove from steamer, and place in ice water for a few minutes to stop the cooking process. Remove from water, pat dry, and allow to cool completely, being careful to keep each slice intact (refrigerate until ready to serve). In a bowl, combine some ricotta cheese with some sour cream, a little spicy mustard, chopped fresh chives, fresh grated lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix until well combined and chill until ready to serve. Assemble this summer appetizer at serving time by spooning a mound of cheese mixture on top of each potato slice, sprinkle a little more chopped chives on top, and place on a serving plate.

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Independence day, celebrated on the 4th of July, is a great occasion to commemorate with an Independence day party. Games can really make your Independence day party enjoyable – here are two suggestions:

“Balloon Stomping” Independence Day Party Game

This is a fun and active game, but players need to be reminded not to go overboard with the stomping! All that’s required for the game is one blown-up balloon for each player, and some string or wool. Tie a balloon to the ankle of each player. The object of the game is to try and stomp on other people’s balloons, but be the last person to have your balloon busted. The last player standing is the winner of this fun Independence day party game.

“Red Light, Green Light” Independence Day Party Game

This Independence day party game is energetic and lots of fun. All that’s required is a fairly large group of players (preferably 10 or more), and a large space in which to play the game. Two lines at either end of the playing area are designated – a starting line and a goal line. One player is chosen to be “it” and must stand on the goal line; everyone else stands along the starting line. Whoever is “it” calls out “green light”, and the other players advance towards the goal line. After a few seconds, “it” calls out “red light” and turns around; all the other players must stop moving. Any player caught moving must return to the starting line. The first player to sneak past “it” and over the goal line is the winner.

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Every year, the Fourth of July is celebrated all over the country with parades, fireworks, picnics, political speeches and ceremonies, baseball games, and of course barbecues. Families usually celebrate this patriotic holiday gathering with relatives, attending a picnic or a barbecue. The barbecue has been a feature of the Forth of July festivities since as far back as the mid 1800s.

So if you are going to wear the patriotic spirit this Fourth of July, you will need to plan early to get it right. Get your guest list together and send out invitations early. It is always a great festive idea to make the barbecue a family affair by inviting friends and their kids. To add the Fourth of July flavor, you could ask everyone to wear red, white, and blue.

To carry the patriotic theme further, decorate with the patriotic theme. It’s easy to buy tablecloths, plates, cups, and napkins in red, blue, and white. Remember to mix and match. Use your ingenuity to make red, white and blue napkin rings or use the colors of the flag to make a jaunty string of stars to do up your front porch.

Play patriotic music, such as “Yankee Doodle Dandy”, “America the Beautiful”, and the inimitable “Stars and Stripes Forever”.

Before the main meal, you could offer your guests salsa and chips for starters. For the barbecue itself, serve all-American food, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, deviled eggs, corn on the cob. Have lemonade and iced tea for your guests to wash it down with. You can complete the color theme by having gelatin desserts made in patriotic colors. Blueberry pie, apple pie and water melon are also welcome options. Have a supply of tofu dogs or veggie burgers for any vegetarians in the group.

Add energy to your barbecue by having games like baseball, wiffleball, croquet, or Capture the Flag with both adults and children. Give small party favors, perhaps hand made flags or other crafts with a patriotic theme.

To end your barbecue on an explosive note, have a small fireworks show in the backyard. If nothing else, build excitement for the end of the party by handing out sparklers to the children. The hand-held pyrotechnics are a great way to complete your Fourth of July get-together in a memorable way. You could also take your guests to a community event nearby.

All in all, use the day and the barbecue to feel grateful for America’s freedoms and enjoy the simplicity of your country’s time-honored traditions.

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