Homemade Guacamole
Nothing is better than freshly made guacamole when you’re eating something spicy. It is easy to whip together in a matter of minutes and quickly tames anything that’s too hot. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Also, check these best vegetarian recipes to give an interesting twist to your veggies.
Basil-Tomato Grilled Cheese
The tastes of summer abound in this easy Italian-style grilled cheese sandwich. Not only is it delicious, it's super-fast, so you can get back to those summer outdoor activities. —Sylvia Schmitt, Sun City, ArizonaOlive and Red Pepper Linguine
With 16 grandchildren, I find that someone is always hungry. This is a quick dish to fix. I sometimes serve garlic bread alongside it for an easy meatless meal. —Betty Carpenter, Hookstown, PennsylvaniaMeatless Taco Salad
This colorful entree combines popular taco ingredients—minus the ground beef. And you won't miss the meat at all! I top each serving with a creamy guacamole dressing, crunchy corn chips and cheese. —Kimberly Dray, Pflugerville, TexasMinty Peas and Onions
Mother always relied on peas and onions when she was in a hurry and needed a quick side dish. Besides being easy to prepare, this recipe was loved by everyone in our family. It was handed down to my mother by my grandmother. —Santa D’Addario, Jacksonville, Florida. If you’re looking for more dishes, then you must check out our collection of vegetarian recipes.Grandma's Tomato Soup
This recipe is my grandmother’s. Originally, she even made the tomato juice in it from scratch! Gram had this recipe cooking on the stove every time I visited her. She enjoyed making this tomato soup and other favorite dishes for family and friends, and she made everything with love. —Gerri Sysun, Narragansett, Rhode IslandStrawberry Bliss Omelet
Instead of the usual ham and cheese, try dressing up eggs with strawberries and cream cheese. I first tasted this dish while vacationing at the beach. —Selina Smith, Frostburg, MarylandSauteed Garlic Mushrooms
These tasty garlic butter mushrooms are so delicious served with steak, chicken or pork. The sauteed garlic is the secret! —Joan Schroeder, Mesquite, NevadaOnion Orange Salad
People always enjoy the bold flavors in this delightful salad. It’s both delicious and beautiful. —Zita Wilensky, North Miami Beach, FloridaRoquefort Pear Salad
Guests at a barbecue we hosted one summer brought this cool, refreshing salad. Now it's a mainstay at many of our gatherings year-round. The mingling of zesty tastes and textures instantly wakes up the taste buds. —Sherry Duval, Baltimore, MarylandOnion Cheese Soup
I made a few adjustments to this savory soup recipe I came across in a community cookbook. It's rich, buttery and cheesy, plus it's so quick to prepare. —Janice Pogozelski, Cleveland, OhioNutty Cheese Tortellini
I like to plant Italian flat-leaf parsley in a long terra-cotta planter so I always have some on hand. It adds bright, fresh flavor to this pasta dish. —Barbara Penatzer, Vestal, New YorkStrawberry Feta Tossed Salad
A neighbor served this light, wonderful salad at a summer barbecue. I’ve since tried it with many ingredient combinations, but this one draws the most compliments. -Lisa Lesinski-Topp Menomonee Falls, WisconsinHearty Multigrain Pancakes
Oats and whole wheat flour make these tasty pancakes extra hearty. Try them with applesauce spooned on top! —Jeri Tirmenstein, Apache Junction, ArizonaRed Potatoes with Beans
You can serve this homey blend of fresh green beans, potato wedges and chopped red onion hot or cold. Either way, this easy side dish makes a pleasing accompaniment to Mom's meat loaf or almost any other meat. —Daria Burcar, Rochester, MichiganEasy Onion Crescent Rolls
Here's a deliciously easy way to dress up a tube of crescent roll dough. These golden bites are one of our favorite recipes—and they're a nice addition to any buffet. We like them so much, I usually triple the recipe. —Barbara Nowakowski, North Tonawanda, New YorkHoney Poppy Seed Fruit Salad
This colorful fruit salad with poppy seed dressing pairs well with any morning entree and takes just 10 minutes to prepare. The subtle honey sauce in this salad steals the show. —Dorothy Dinnean, Harrison, ArkansasFresh Veggie Pockets
One summer I worked at a health food store that sold sandwiches. We were close to a college campus, so I made lots of these fresh-filled pitas for the students. Crunchy with crisp vegetables and nutty sunflower kernels, they're a fast-to-fix lunch when you're on the go. -Linda Reeves, Cloverdale, IndianaTomato Feta Salad
One summer I combined my love for onions with a bumper crop of tomatoes and a homemade balsamic dressing. The result was this salad that receives thumbs-up approval whenever it's served. —Robert Golus, Greer, South CarolinaSpinach Rice
I like to serve this Greek-style rice dish alongside steaks with mushrooms. It makes an elegant side that can be doubled for guests. —Jeanette Cakouros, Brunswick, MaineSweet Carrots
Here's a flavorful way to dress up carrots without a lot of fuss. Simply steam the good-for-you veggies, then season with butter, brown sugar, vinegar and a sprinkling of chives. The carrots are not only colorful, but they're tasty, too. —Taste of Home Test KitchenSavory Pumpkin Ravioli
This pumpkin ravioli recipe may sound complicated, but if you organize yourself, it really isn't. The result will be pure pumpkin heaven. I like to sprinkle the ravioli with Parmesan as well. You can also add salt and pepper to taste to the rich, sage sauce. —Christopher Presutti, Jacksonville, FloridaMakeover Deluxe Grilled Cheese
You might not have known healthy grilled cheese was possible. But with a few simple tricks, we actually boosted the fantastic toasty taste of these mouthwatering sandwiches, but slashed fat, calories and cholesterol to less than half! —Taste of Home Test KitchenAsparagus and Green Beans with Tarragon Lemon Dip
Tarragon balances the tangy flavor from lemon in the creamy sauce covering colorful asparagus and green beans. I serve this as a side dish as well as an appetizer. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, WisconsinEasy Grilled Squash
This is grilled butternut squash recipe is one of my favorite ways to cook with fresh produce. I usually make it when I am grilling steak or chicken. —Esther Horst, Monterey, TennesseeCool Beans Salad
This protein-filled dish could be served as a colorful side dish or a meatless main entree. When you make it, double the recipe because it will be gone in a flash! The basmati rice adds a unique flavor and the dressing gives it a bit of a tang. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, WisconsinHummus & Veggie Wrap-Up
I had a vegan wrap that was similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it. —Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, IndianaSpicy Edamame
Edamame (pronounced eh-duh-MAH-may) are young soybeans in their pods. While I love to get them with my sushi when I go out, they are also so easy to make at home. —Mark Neufang, Bayshore, WisconsinWatermelon Cups
This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test KitchenHearty Asian Lettuce Salad
This meatless version of your favorite restaurant salad packs 13 grams of protein per serving and is bursting with juicy flavor. It's a brilliant choice for lunch or a busy-day dinner. —Taste of Home Test KitchenRuby Raspberry Slaw
Give ordinary coleslaw a "berry" tangy twist. It's sure to get raves at your next picnic or potluck. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, NebraskaOpen-Faced Egg Sandwiches
I always experiment with different herbs on my eggs, since I eat them every morning. This one became one of my favorites! —Valerie Belley, St. Louis, MissouriChickpea Fritters with Sweet-Spicy Sauce
Chickpeas are a common ingredient in many dishes in Pakistan, where I grew up. I have combined the light spice of Pakistani foods with the love of deep-fried finger foods that many Americans, including my daughters, enjoy. To eat, dip this chickpea recipe in chilled yogurt. —Shahrin Hasan, York, PennsylvaniaGreek Brown and Wild Rice Bowls
This fresh rice dish tastes like the Mediterranean in a bowl! It is short on ingredients but packs in so much flavor. For a hand-held version, leave out the rice and tuck the rest of the ingredients in a pita pocket. —Darla Andrews, Boerne, TexasHarissa Sweet Potato Fritters
I had leftover sweet potatoes and had to think up a new way to use them. We love spice, so I flavored these fun fritters with harissa, just enough for flavor but not too spicy. If you want more heat, you can always adjust the spice to please your taste buds. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, MichiganBrown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes
My family absolutely loves these oat pancakes. I make them every Saturday and Sunday. If I don't, they don't believe it's the weekend! My son's friends often spend the night, and I think it's because they like these oatmeal pancakes so much. They are especially delicious served with molasses and syrup. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South CarolinaSwift Strawberry Salad
A simple blend of syrup, orange juice and caramel topping forms the light dressing for the fresh berries and the crunchy cashews found in this sensational salad. —Taste of Home Test KitchenZesty Sugar Snap Peas
Lemon-pepper seasoning and garlic make these crisp-tender sugar snap peas flavorful and an ideal accompaniment to a variety of entrees. You'll come to rely on this six-ingredient dish. —Taste of Home Test KitchenCucumber Melon Salad
This colorful salad is tangy and delicious. The unexpected combination is such a pleasant surprise. You can use whatever type of melon you have on hand. —Edie Farm, Farmington, New MexicoSnappy Green Beans
The buttery and citrus flavors in this brightly colored side dish go with just about any entree. I enjoy it most when green beans are in season. —Tammy Neubauer, Ida Grove, IowaMarinated Broccoli
This festive side dish couldn't be easier to throw together. But because it's so pretty, it's perfect for special occasions. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, IndianaFruit & Spinach Salad
The combination of sweet fruit and salty feta cheese makes this salad a winner. —Virginia Dack, Asheville, North CarolinaPickled Eggs with Beets
Ever since I can remember, my mother served this pickled egg recipe at Easter. It was a tradition that my family expected. I made them for my granddaughter the last time she visited and they were all gone before she left. —Mary Banker, Fort Worth, TexasFestive Corn 'n' Broccoli
This recipe is delicious and versatile. I often substitute a tablespoon of minced fresh basil for the dried, and two to three ears of sweet corn (about a cup cut fresh from the cob) for the Mexicorn. —Lucile Throgmorton, Clovis, New MexicoCucumber Party Sandwiches
Cucumber sandwiches are one of my favorite appetizers. We have lots of pig roasts here in Kentucky, and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is roasting. —Rebecca Rose, Mount Washington, KentuckyCabbage and Rutabaga Slaw
This is a favorite crunchy slaw that's a perfect way to use cool-weather veggies. We love it as a side with any spicy main dish. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Originally Published: December 31, 1969