Smoked Turkey Bites Appetizer Recipe© 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
These smoked turkey rolls make you smile with delight when you bite into them. They are not your usual appetizer. The layers of flavor will have your guests bombarding you with questions as to what is in there. They are smoky, slightly spicy and sweet, with a savory tang from the capers and Worcestershire sauce, combined with the mellow richness of cream cheese. This ultimate finger food is gone in 60 seconds! If you are feeling lazy and do not want to bake, the filling is also excellent as a spread for crackers.
• Smoked Turkey Bites Appetizer Recipe

When I was much younger and obviously inexperienced in the kitchen, I thought shallots were baby red onions. They do have a hint of garlic flavor and look like large garlic cloves. Find out why shallots are the darlings of gourmet chefs and home cooks alike by trying one of the many shallot recipes, such as Lobster Ragout, Steak Diane, Roasted Garlic and Almond Spread, and more.
• Shallot Recipes and Cooking Information
Photo © 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The third Sunday in July is designated as National Ice Cream Day. Ice cream and frozen desserts are a natural during hot summer months. You can easily make ice cream at home, but you will want to brush up on some tips and hints to be sure nothing goes wrong. Then try Cherry Garcia Ice Cream, Peach Buttermilk Ice Cream, or one of the many other frozen dessert recipes.
• Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts Recipes
Ice Cream, Sherbet, and Sorbet Photo © 2007 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Pepper Jelly Pork Roast Recipe© 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
This method insures a flavorful and tender pork loin roast with a spicy sweet finish. It is quite easy and requires little attention. You may substitute orange marmalade or seedless raspberry jelly mixed with 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper or cayenne pepper for the pepper jelly. If you do not care for spicy foods at all, use orange marmalade, apple or apricot jelly and omit the chile pepper. Plan ahead so the roast is at room temperature before you begin.
• Pepper Jelly Pork Roast Recipe

Puff Pastry Cooking Tips© 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Puff pastry can be as magical in the kitchen as the proverbial dragon in the song. It is probably a given that we normally associate puff pastry with desserts, but puff pastry also excels in savory recipes such as Broccoli and Mushrooms in Puff Pastry or Easy Chicken Wellington.
You can make your own homemade puff pastry from scratch the time-consuming way, make a quick shortcut version, or just buy it frozen.
• Puff Pastry Cooking Tips and Recipes
Photo © 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Chocolate and marshmallows are a match made in heaven. This candy-like dessert is a bit lighter in texture than traditional fudge but just as decadent. Cut in small squares because they are quite rich. The peanuts may be omitted, if you wish.
• Marshmallow Mud Fudge Recipe
Marshmallow Mud Fudge Recipe Photo © 2008 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Most of us will be planning some type of gathering of friends and family to celebrate July 4th. Potato salad is a traditional dish for summer gatherings. These potato salad recipes use standard white or red potatoes, gold potatoes, blue or purple potatoes, sweet potatoes, and others.
• Potato Salad Recipes for Memorial Day
Potato Salad Recipes Photo © 2006 Peggy Trowbridge, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Shish Kebab Cooking Tips© 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Kebabs are versatile enough to serve to guests or family while pleasing vegetarians to meat-lovers. Get tips and hints on how to make the best shish kebabs, then try such kebab and brochette recipes as Orange Ginger Beef and Shrimp Shish Kebabs, Pomegranate Lamb Kebabs, Seafood Brochettes with Tomato-Basil Champagne Sauce, and more.
• Shish Kebab Recipes and Cooking Tips

The beautiful colors of this red, white, and blue potato salad come from the potatoes themselves. If you cannot find blue potatoes, purple ones will do, or simply use all red and white. This recipe is obviously perfect for the 4th of July due to the coloring, but you can enjoy it year-round. Red, White & Blue Potato Salad is even better at room temperature than cold.
• Red, White & Blue Potato Salad Recipe
Photo © 2009 Peggy Trowbridge, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Watermelons come in many varieties so you can choose from red or yellow flesh and seeded or seedless varieties. Learn how to cut decorative hearts into a handle for the basket to make an elegant but easy edible party decoration or centerpiece. Simply follow these easy step-by-step instructions and fill with your favorite fruit salad recipe. If you will be using the fruit scooped out from the watermelon basket, consider buying a seedless variety.
• Carve a Watermelon Basket - Step-by-Step Instructions with Photos
Watermelon Basket Photo © 2006 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.