Our Summer Potluck Contest Winners

I am very proud of this luscious no-bake beauty. It's so cool and refreshing—perfect for any summer potluck or get-together. Wherever I take this pie, it quickly disappears, with everyone asking for the recipe. —Shirley Rickis, Lady Lake, Florida

Summer in the Midwest offers a bounty of fresh produce. I wanted to come up with something new from the harvest, and this bright, flavorful salad is the refreshing end result. —Richard A Robinson, Park Forest, Illinois

I love the velvety taste and texture of sweet potatoes. A friend served sweet potatoes cooked with peppers and they tasted delicious together. I took those flavors and developed them into this creamy, smoky potato salad. —Carolyn Eskew, Dayton, Ohio

I love banh mi sandwiches but wanted to make them a little easier to serve for a party. These skewers are a really fun twist! For easier prep on the day of the party, make the meatballs in advance and freeze them. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Caprese and fresh fruit always remind me of summer. In this salad, I combine traditional Caprese flavors with summer blueberries, peaches and added prosciutto for saltiness, creating a balanced and flavor-packed popular side dish. —Emily Falke, Santa Barbara, California

I attended a patio party years ago where the hostess had a clever watermelon “bowl” with a scalloped edge and filled with this punch. It was the hit of the party, and she was kind enough to share the delicious punch recipe with me. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

This recipe began with leftover fried potatoes I had on hand. We liked it so much that now I fry potatoes just to make this unique potato salad. Sometimes I add grated sharp cheddar for a cheesy twist. —Leann Stallard, Dryden, Virginia

I created this salad to replicate one I tried on a cruise several years ago. It goes over very well at family gatherings and potlucks, but we like to eat it year round. We love the spice of the Thai chile, but if your family isn't into spice, feel free to leave it out. It will still be delicious! —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky

Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make the individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin

I was craving Mexican street corn that I had during a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, so I came up with this fabulous dip. It blends the traditional profile of the popular street food with updated flavors for a tasty twist. —Joseph A Sciascia, San Mateo, California

After trying a similar version of this coleslaw while visiting the island of St. Kitts, I returned home and wanted to make it myself. I've taken it to so many events, and it's always a hit. —Noreen McCormick Danek, Cromwell, Connecticut

My sister brought me fresh peaches one year, and we decided to make these fruity cookies. They also make great ice cream sandwiches—just put some vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a delicious summer treat! —Anna Miller, Churdan, Iowa